From April 26 to 29, the Assembly of the Portuguese Union was held in Vimeiro. The main guest speaker was Bill Knott, editor of Adventist Review and Adventist World, and professor at Andrews University, in the USA.
The theme presented by Bill Knott during the Sabbath’s special program was ‘The real saints of the church’. “As Church saints, we have to be filled with spirit, being alive and eager to communicate God's love,” shared Knott.
Knott revisited the lives of some of the Bible's prominent characters like Peter and Martha, who, in their imperfections and mistakes, saw the ultimate revelation of the Messiah, God's Son, on earth. It was them and so many other flawed characters in the Gospel who won the heart and love of Jesus.
They, too, are the 'saints' who conveyed the love of Jesus in an extraordinary way. These are men and women of faith!
New Administration
The work of the Assembly was preceded by a meditation of Bill Knott, entitled ‘They went, I will go’. Knott, tracing the mission of some biblical characters and of the pioneers of the Adventist Church in Portugal, invited Christ-followers of our time - including Assembly participants - to embrace their mission wholeheartedly, according to the General Conference strategic plan "I will go."
The assembly finished its work by electing the new leaders and administration of the Adventist Church in Portugal. Pr. José Lagoa, former pastor in Madeira Island, was elected president. He is married and has two sons and a grandson.
Pr. Júlio Carlos Santos, former pastor in Lisboa Central Church, was elected secretary. He is married and has two sons and a grandson.
Dr. Daniel Simões, an economist working in a bank institution until now, was elected treasurer. He is married and has two children.
Program
The program also featured a moving consecration of four pastors, along with musical interventions and a special musical about the early pioneers in the Portuguese Adventist mission field.
Particularly welcome was the presence and participation of the president of the Inter-European Division, Pastor Mario Brito – himself Portuguese – who addressed a greeting and initial meditation to the assembly.
To watch the program, please go here.
