“It was an Ephesians 3:20 moment—more than we could ask, think, or imagine,” says Mike Davis, who, with his wife, Ruth, recently helped lead the inaugural service of Igreja Aliança Cristã e Missionária de Paredes (C&MA Church of Paredes) in Portugal.
Ninety people attended the celebration of Jesus, with some standing outside the small, filled-to-capacity sanctuary. Along with friends, neighbors, and several pastors, attendees included contacts from various outreaches of the Alliance workers.
“After nearly five years of community outreach in Paredes and the neighboring city of Valongo,” says Mike, “we believe God has called us to plant a church in Paredes.”
A city with a population less than 20,000 in northern Portugal, Paredes was recently named the best municipality in which to live. “Our outreaches have preceded the existence of the church, and hopefully, they will bring contacts to the church.”
For four years, Mike has coached an American-style football team, the Lumberjacks, giving him opportunity to build relationships with young men. Alliance worker Charlotte Hisle has been involved in an animal shelter that rescues and provides foster care and adoption to stray dogs. She also has a book club, which has been a provocative conversation starter.
Ruth taught evangelical moral and religion classes in the public schools in Valongo, where the Davises currently live. “I’m praying that [the opportunity to teach] will open up this fall in Paredes,” she says.
Alliance work in Portugal began in 2000, when two single women from the C&MA in Chile lived and worked in Paredes from 2000–2004. “This has been a joint effort with the Alliance World Fellowship through the years,” Ruth says. “Today, Danilo and Elaine Lima from the Brazilian Alliance national church are a valuable addition to our team.”
Mike continues, “We will hold weekly services and hope to have the building open to the public during the week. Praise God for this milestone in Portugal! Pray that the community of Paredes will be reached with the good news of Jesus.”
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The Alliance video team produced this video in 2013, and God has produced the fruit.