Portuguese university students being transformed by the gospel

miércoles 28 febrero 2024 10:00

ECM missionaries Samuel and Emily Loa-Ferreira are working with the University Bible Group (GBU) in Coimbra, Portugal. Across the academic year 40,000 students study in Coimbra (this is 1/4 of the city’s population!)

They share: "We are 6 months into working in student ministry with the University Bible Group (GBU) in Coimbra, Portugal. Across the academic year, 40, 000 students study in Coimbra, which is one quarter of the city’s population! We are thankful to God for the 25 or so GBU students that meet together for weekly Bible talks and Bible studies. It is a diverse group: new Christians, those still investigating, Portuguese Christians of various denominations, and Christians from Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil, East Timor, Angola and Mozambique.

"Our focus is to pastor, train and teach these students from the Bible so that the church in Portugal and beyond may be blessed with mature and servant-hearted leaders. We are currently writing several Bible study series and a training course for students on how to read and teach the Bible to others. It is encouraging that the current GBU Coimbra leadership team desire to have the proclamation of Jesus from the scriptures at the core of GBU activities, which is something that cannot be assumed! We often feel limited in our capabilities and capacities, wishing we could be more and do more. God has been reminding us that we are merely ‘jars of clay’ that are purposefully fragile, in order to display the glory of Christ all the more (2 Corinthians 4:7). We recently welcomed our first child, Oliver, into the world. Amidst the newness and challenges of parenthood, we are thankful for the joy he is and how his presence provides many opportunities to connect with new Portuguese people in our community."

Please pray:

Praise God for his work in the University Bible Group in Coimbra, enabling the gospel to be preached and students to study his word. Pray that these students may continue to be matured in their faith, service and witness.
Pray that as we serve as ordinary and fragile “jars of clay” in Portugal, we might display the glory of Jesus all the more (2 Corinthians 4:7).
Pray that we may be godly parents and rest in God’s sovereignty and care for Oliver. Pray that Oliver may know Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.

To find out more about Samuel and Emily's work please click here

« Back

Stories from Europe > 2024

diciembre

noviembre

octubre

septiembre

agosto

julio

junio

20/6/2024 20/6/24, 14:03 - Talking about Jesus (without being THAT guy)

mayo

abril

marzo

febrero

enero

READ our stories about what is going on across Europe,
PRAY for the projects and the workers involved!

Churches Unite in Leiria

mayo - 27 - 2026 12:51 More than 200 believers from 12 churches and 9 mission organisations joined together in Portugal’s Leiria region for two days of evangelism, prayer, and outreach — with around 700 people approached and 40 decisions for Christ reported. Seguir leyendo

A Life Saved

mayo - 20 - 2026 12:38 What began as a soup kitchen relationship became something far more urgent. When Mr. Dumitru’s life was at risk, ECMI workers refused to give up — advocating, praying, and walking with him until the moment that changed everything. Seguir leyendo

The Sun Shines for Irene

mayo - 13 - 2026 12:34 After years of searching — through religion, spirituality, and personal pain — Irene reached a point where she didn’t want to go on. But a simple online search connected her with an ECMI couple whose open table became the place where everything began to change. Seguir leyendo

A Place for Everyone — Rethinking Ministry Together

mayo - 06 - 2026 12:05 Across Europe, many live unseen — shaped by disability, anxiety, or neurodivergence. As followers of Jesus, we are learning to notice, to listen, and to create spaces where everyone belongs. Seguir leyendo

Faith from the Ruins

abril - 29 - 2026 13:34 When war tore through Irpin, life was shattered. Yet even amid war, God’s work continues—lives changed, churches planted, and hope restored. Discover the story. Seguir leyendo

Faithful Presence

abril - 22 - 2026 13:06 Mission in Europe often moves slowly, but God works in unseen ways. This story from Austria reminds us that faithful, patient love can transform lives — even when change seems invisible. Seguir leyendo

Searching for Hope

abril - 14 - 2026 12:52 Across Europe, many people are searching for meaning, identity, and hope. Behind the statistics are real lives. Meet Sander. Seguir leyendo

Called? Keep going!

abril - 08 - 2026 12:42 Sensing God’s call to mission can be both thrilling and daunting. Anna’s journey back to Romania reminds us that when God calls, He provides — and you are never alone. Seguir leyendo

The Triumph of the Cross

abril - 01 - 2026 12:23 As we approach Easter, we remember the Cross — the moment that changed eternity — and give thanks to Jesus, the King of kings. Seguir leyendo

Claremorris Church Opens Its Doors

marzo - 25 - 2026 11:31 What began as a small gathering in a town hall has become something far greater. On 21 March 2026, the growing church in Claremorris, County Mayo, celebrated the official opening of its very first building — a powerful milestone and a testament to God’s faithfulness. Seguir leyendo

Step Into Mission: Opportunities Across Europe

marzo - 18 - 2026 10:55 What could your next step in mission look like? Across Europe, doors are open for you to serve, grow, and make a meaningful impact. Whether you’re exploring a short-term experience or sensing a longer-term call, there are opportunities waiting where your gifts can make a real difference. Seguir leyendo

Women of Faith

marzo - 04 - 2026 12:27 This March, we celebrate the incredible women serving in mission — women who lift God’s name high, shine His light, and make a difference across Europe. Seguir leyendo

A Church Takes Root

febrero - 25 - 2026 11:48 In the fast-paced rhythm of Budapest, a new church is taking root. Through patient relationship-building and creative outreach, Tamás and Virág are seeing lives changed and a vibrant community begin to grow. Seguir leyendo

Encouraging Growth in Portugal

febrero - 18 - 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! Seguir leyendo

The Heavens Declare

febrero - 11 - 2026 13:17 Berlin Psalm Project’s second album is here! Experience the Psalms like never before, with jazz-inspired arrangements that stir the soul. Seguir leyendo

New Neighbours

febrero - 04 - 2026 12:48 What does it mean to leave a familiar, supportive Christian environment and move to a place where the gospel is rarely heard? Last August, Edward and Trix Landman took that step together with their children. Now, a year later, they look back on their first experiences. Seguir leyendo

Join God’s Story in Europe

enero - 28 - 2026 17:24 At ECM, our work is more than programmes and projects—it’s about people, and ultimately, it’s about God, at work in and through us. Every time a believer is equipped, a community is connected, or a disciple is multiplied, it is His Spirit moving, using us as instruments for His glory. Seguir leyendo

A New Beginning in Frankfurt

enero - 21 - 2026 14:12 In one of Germany’s largest cities, a new church-plant is emerging through prayer, presence, and trust in God’s leading—bringing hope to the Oberrad community. Seguir leyendo

Ver todas las historias en el archivo

Name	Vendor	Description	Expiry
PBSESSION	Procurios	Saves the visitor's preferences for the current session	2 hours
ProBaseUserLanguage	Procurios	Saves the visitor's language preference	1 year
accept-cookies	Procurios	Saves the visitor's cookie preference	1 year
cachekey	Procurios	Prevents logged in users from seeing a cached site	1 month
pb-sa-*	Procurios	Supports performance improvements of the website	Session
pbSurvey*	Procurios	Keeps track of whether or not a non-logged-in visitor has completed a survey	1 year
pbTrackId*	Procurios	Identification of logged in users	1 month
probase_notice	Procurios	Shows functional notifications to the visitor	1 day

Name	Category	Description	Expiry
PBSESSION	Estrictamente necesaria/s	Saves the visitor's preferences for the current session	2 hours
ProBaseUserLanguage	Estrictamente necesaria/s	Saves the visitor's language preference	1 year
accept-cookies	Estrictamente necesaria/s	Saves the visitor's cookie preference	1 year
cachekey	Estrictamente necesaria/s	Prevents logged in users from seeing a cached site	1 month
pb-sa-*	Estrictamente necesaria/s	Supports performance improvements of the website	Session
pbSurvey*	Estrictamente necesaria/s	Keeps track of whether or not a non-logged-in visitor has completed a survey	1 year
pbTrackId*	Estrictamente necesaria/s	Identification of logged in users	1 month
pbVisitorID	Seguimiento	Identification of returning visitors	1 year
probase_notice	Estrictamente necesaria/s	Shows functional notifications to the visitor	1 day

STORIES FROMEUROPE