Encouraging Growth in Portugal
Wednesday 18 February 2026 12:05 There are hopeful signs of growth in Portugal, as new data reveals a significant rise in church planting across the country — a reminder that God is at work, often in ways we may not immediately see. Read on to see what God is doing!
In 2023, the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance shared encouraging news about church planting in their country.
According to Evangelicals Now, recently published data highlights a remarkable increase in new churches. Around 44% of evangelical churches in Portugal have been planted since 2001, and more than 60% already have clear plans and locations to plant additional churches within the next five years. Many also report that their congregations are growing, with churches ranging in size from small gatherings of fewer than ten people to communities of over 300.
These are powerful signs of God at work — quietly, steadily, and often beyond the spotlight.
We praise God for this growth and for the many faithful believers serving across Portugal. Stories like these remind us that, even when we don’t always hear about it, God is building His church.
🔗 To find out more about ECM’s work in Portugal, click here
🔗 Read the full article on church planting in Portugal here
Archive > 2026
September
- 9/16/2026 9/16/26, 11:16 AM - Unshakable
- 9/9/2026 9/9/26, 3:39 PM - “You Are”: An Unexpected Call
- 9/2/2026 9/2/26, 2:56 PM - Focus on the Baltics
August
- 8/26/2026 8/26/26, 2:56 PM - Five Weeks... Lasting Impact
- 8/19/2026 8/19/26, 1:59 PM - From Relief Centre to Church
- 8/12/2026 8/12/26, 2:19 PM - Taking the Word Home
- 8/5/2026 8/5/26, 1:36 PM - More Than a Bed for the Night
July
- 7/29/2026 7/29/26, 3:05 PM - Where Hope Is Growing
- 7/22/2026 7/22/26, 3:19 PM - A Corner of Light
- 7/15/2026 7/15/26, 11:23 AM - Scattered — Yet Sent
- 7/8/2026 7/8/26, 5:36 PM - Together Behind Bars
- 7/1/2026 7/1/26, 4:48 PM - A Place Where Families Are Seen
June
- 6/24/2026 6/24/26, 5:16 PM - Go in the Strength You Have
- 6/18/2026 6/18/26, 11:40 AM - More Than a Haircut
- 6/17/2026 6/17/26, 12:43 PM - Hope for the Overlooked
- 6/10/2026 6/10/26, 10:28 AM - Ready for Camp Season?
- 6/3/2026 6/3/26, 12:46 PM - A New Path
May
- 5/27/2026 5/27/26, 12:51 PM - Churches Unite in Leiria
- 5/20/2026 5/20/26, 12:38 PM - A Life Saved
- 5/13/2026 5/13/26, 12:34 PM - The Sun Shines for Irene
- 5/6/2026 5/6/26, 12:05 PM - A Place for Everyone — Rethinking Ministry Together
April
- 4/29/2026 4/29/26, 1:34 PM - Faith from the Ruins
- 4/22/2026 4/22/26, 1:06 PM - Faithful Presence
- 4/14/2026 4/14/26, 12:52 PM - Searching for Hope
- 4/8/2026 4/8/26, 12:42 PM - Called? Keep going!
- 4/1/2026 4/1/26, 12:23 PM - The Triumph of the Cross
March
- 3/25/2026 3/25/26, 11:31 AM - Claremorris Church Opens Its Doors
- 3/18/2026 3/18/26, 10:55 AM - Step Into Mission: Opportunities Across Europe
- 3/4/2026 3/4/26, 12:27 PM - Women of Faith
February
- 2/25/2026 2/25/26, 11:48 AM - A Church Takes Root
- 2/18/2026 2/18/26, 12:05 PM - Encouraging Growth in Portugal
- 2/4/2026 2/4/26, 12:48 PM - New Neighbours
January
OUR IMPACT IN UKRAINE
Discover our impact in the Ukraine crisis and how you can be part of it.
USA MISSIONARIES: DOING OUR PART
BE PART OF GOD'S MISSION IN EUROPE
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Unshakable
September - 16 - 2026 11:16 Unshakable faith shines brightest in difficult seasons. Read how ECMI missionaries across Europe are trusting Christ through loss, opposition, and uncertainty — and inspiring others to do the same. full story“You Are”: An Unexpected Call
September - 09 - 2026 15:39 A simple question asked from a car window in rural Spain became God's answer to a calling BJ Whitaker never expected. Years later, that call led to a church plant in a town with no evangelical church, where the gospel is transforming lives, families, and futures. full storyFocus on the Baltics
September - 02 - 2026 14:56 The Baltic nations of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia have a combined average 4.3% evangelical population, which is above Europe’s average. Even so, the need is acute, so our desire is to serve this region where we currently have no ministry presence. full story 
