Evangelical Christians in Portugal will come together on 10 May for a new edition of Fórum evangélico (Evangelical Forum), a conference that “expresses the desire for unity and cooperation” among churches in the country.

Elsa Correia, who is a member of the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance (AEP) and leads its network on Peace, Reconciliation, and Human Rights, said the spring event aims to be a “space for reflection, sharing, and mutual encouragement, centred on the common mission of proclaiming the Gospel”.

Pastors, mission workers and other Christians working in this Southern European country must have chances to “strengthen the bonds” between them, learn about new initiatives, and access a “united vision for the growth of the church in Portugal”.

The theme of the 2025 edition is “Welcome to the mission field!” and wants to give a vision beyond the borders of Portugal.

Jim Memory, co-director of the Lausanne Movement Europe, has been invited to share with the Portuguese Christian leaders “a global perspective on mission”, says Elsa Correia, that will “help us reflect on contemporary challenges, and allow us to learn from international resources and experiences that can enrich our local ministries”.

The Aliança Evangélica Portuguesa has a very good relationship with the Lausanne Movement because “both entities share a deep commitment to global evangelization, leadership development, and cultural engagement from a biblical perspective”.

The challenge of reaching the young

Asked about the issues that worry evangelical Christians in Portugal, Elsa Correia told Evangelical Focus one is clearly the “generational continuity”.

In a context in which tens of thousands of younger Portuguese have left the country in search for a better future, “proper training for leaders of children’s and youth ministries” and “relevant and welcoming environments” for the younger generations must be built.

The way forward should include “educational resources, digital strategies, and consistent spiritual guidance”, she says.  

“The challenge”, continues the representative of the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance, “is not just to keep young people in church, but to help them develop a personal, solid, and active faith”.

Young people must also be encouraged again to make steps of faith in the place where they live, where they should be active in “building a more just and prosperous society, where everyone has opportunities, grounded in values such as peace, solidarity, and love for one’s neighbour”.  

Reasons for hope

Elsa Correia, a sociologist and author of several books, says there are reasons to be encouraged when looking at Portugal’s Christian landscape.

“Despite many challenges, we are witnessing a growing church planting movement, as reported in periodic studies conducted by the Evangelical Alliance. This church planting is taking place not only in urban areas but also in rural regions where there is less evangelical presence”.

This goes hand in hand with an increasing “interdenominational collaboration”. “We also believe that society will be more receptive to hearing the Gospel when it is communicated with authenticity and relevance”.

The field is vast, and there is a generation ready to respond with creativity and missionary passion. The around 40 organisations present at the ‘Evangelical Expo’ of May’s Evangelical Forum, “are clear evidence of this”, she believes.  

The day will include an expo for kids, workshops on current issues, and a prayer concert.

Religious freedom, education, justice for minorities

In their effort to represent evangelical Christians in the country, the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance (a member of the European Evangelical Alliance) has been particularly attentive in the last years to issues such as a “religious freedom, peace, the dignity of human life, the family, and social justice – supporting minorities and the most disadvantaged”, says Elsa Correia.

She was one of the people working with the World Evangelical Alliance’s representation at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to speak on the challenges Portugal faces at the moment.

The AEP monitors “education in schools and the growing cultural pressure on Christian values”, Correia says. “We always seek to engage in the public debate in a respectful, positive, and proactive manner, believing that the evangelical Christian voice contributes to the common good and promotes biblical principles in the public sphere”.