My wife Inês (7 months pregnant with our first daughter) and I, came to this Portuguese island, Terceira, with a population of about 57,000, 27 years ago (we were 26 and 27 years old) to start a church plant. We were invited as missionaries by a Pastor of a church in the Portuguese community in Toronto/Canada, many of the brothers in Toronto were immigrants from the Azorean islands. Three years after starting, we already had 30 to 40 members, and their Pastor in Canada changed ministry and due to circumstances our congregation became autonomous. We faced immense financial difficulties, which led my wife and I to work secularly. I worked three years in constructions, and 10 years during the nights in a bakery, together with all the responsibilities of the church. With many difficult processes and also many miracles along the way (as is common in all churches and communities of faith), three years ago I was able to dedicate myself to the ministry full-time again, although my wife still works secularly to still provide the necessary financial support.

To make a short story of 27 years, we currently have about 100 members in the church, on an island of Roman Catholic predominance, with deep-rooted religious cultural traditions, but where the Lord Jesus has given us the ability to reach and influence many people and families. Many people have come to our community/church. Many have been baptized, although, unfortunately, some have also, after baptism, turned away from the ways of the Lord. But we remain firm and determined to overcome the discouragement that so often plague us, by placing our eyes on the One who sustains our life and ministry, Jesus Christ, our Lord.