Evangelical

Translate:

99% of Portugal's population is not evangelical*

What we believe

Statement of Faith

GOD

We believe in one true God, creator of all things, infinitely holy and perfect, eternally existing in three equally divine persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deut. 6:4; Jer. 10:10; Isa. 48:16-17; Matt. 28:19, 3:13-17; Eph. 2:18).

SACRED SCRIPTURES

We believe in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments as the verbally inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings; is the complete revelation of God's will for salvation of mankind and ultimate authority for life, trustworthy in every way. (Deut. 4:1-2; Josh. 8:34; Ps. 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105; Isa. 34:16; 40:8; Jer. 15:16; 36:1-32; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3,19-21; Heb. 4:12).

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, born of a virgin, Who died as the atonement for our sins, was raised bodily and ascended to heaven; and in His present position there as High Priest and Advocate. (Matt. 1:20; Luke 2:25-31; Heb. 1:3, 2:14, 4:15; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:25; Eph. 1:13).

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin and indwells all Christians, equipping them for victorious life and service. (Isa. 61:1-3; Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:35 John 4:24; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9-11; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13-14;1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Rev. 1:10; 22:17).

THE CHURCH

We believe in the true church, made up of everyone throughout the world who has trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior. (Matt. 16:15-19; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 3:16; Eph. 1:22-23; Phil. 1:1; Heb. 11:39-40; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Rev. 2-3).

SALVATION

We believe in salvation from the penalty of sin, offered as a gift by grace, on the basis of faith in Christ alone, and his finished work on the cross, not by any human effort or merit (John 1:12-13, 3:16; Rom. 5:1-5; 1 John 5:13; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).

ETERNAL DESTINY OF MANKIND

We believe in the reality of heaven and hell; where God will raise the dead bodily, assigning those who have rejected the Gospel to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment; and believers in Christ to an eternal blessedness in a new heaven and earth. (Dan. 12:1-3; Job 19:26; Phil. 1:23; 1 Thess. 4:14, 17; Luke 16:22-24; John 5:28-29; 2 Thess. 1:5-9).

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

We believe in the personal, bodily return of Jesus Christ, coming for his bride, the Church. This imminent coming of our Lord and Savior, should motivate every believer to sacrificial service and zealous evangelism. (Dan. 7:13-14; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Ti. 2:13; Rev. 19:11-16)

______________________________________________________________________________________

How it began...

In 2016, Emanuel "Manny" DaCunha made an unexpected trip to Graciosa, an Azores Island in Portugal, where he was born. While there, he discovered there were only 8 evangelical believers in Christ.

Upon his return to the US, he began in-depth research of the spiritual condition of the other islands, and the nation as a whole. The results were astonishing: only 1% of Portugal's population had placed their faith in Christ alone for salvation. And there were more than two thousand towns throughout the country without any gospel-preaching churches.

This alarming discovery caused a deep stirring of soul, which led to a sincere evaluation of future aspirations. After careful consideration, periods of prayer and counsel with leaders in his 'sending church', they recognized God was leading him to leave his pastoral staff position to help advance the spread of the gospel in less-reached regions of Portugal.

(Emanuel "Manny" DaCunha, with wife Carmen, shown in photo)