Perhaps you’ve wondered about the quiet force shaping Portugal’s evangelical community. That force stands before us: the Aliança Evangélica Portuguesa. It represents Portuguese evangelicals before other organizations. These evangelicals consider themselves heirs to the Protestant Reformation. They see the Scriptures as their only rule of faith.
The Aliança Evangélica Portuguesa, or AEP, is more than just an organization. It unites pastors and leaders of evangelical churches. Autonomous local communities also belong. Evangelical associations supporting communities are members too. Even churches’ cooperative organizations are part of this federation. “Unite to Act and Mobilize to Transform” are the Alliance’s slogans.
The Portuguese Evangelical Alliance emerged as a branch of the World’s Evangelical Alliance. It formally came into being in 1921. A major accomplishment was organizing the first Congresso Evangélico in Portugal that same year. In 2021, the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance celebrated 100 years.
The AEP represents almost all of Portugal’s evangelical community. Around 250,000 faithful are directly involved in its churches. There are about 1,500 places of worship across the mainland and islands. The alliance has approximately 900 ministers and other leaders. It also oversees 12 theological schools. More than 63 social action institutions are part of the AEP. The alliance teaches Moral and Religious Education in 241 public schools. These classes reach about 2,000 students.
The AEP also presents two television programs. They are called “A Luz das Nações” and “Caminhos.” These air on RTP channel 2. The alliance engages in many activities promoting the Christian evangelical faith. It works to evangelize the Portuguese people. The AEP also emphasizes the value of human life.
The Portuguese Evangelical Alliance faced a significant challenge in 2017. The Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus was accused of children trafficking. The AEP clearly distanced itself from this group. The AEP emphasized that the IURD’s doctrines do not align with its values.
Recent research shows a thriving evangelical movement in Portugal. A 2023 report indicated that 62.5% of churches planned to plant new churches. This would happen within the next 5 years. In fact, 44% of evangelical churches in Portugal started after 2001. While many pastors are from Brazil, most new believers are Portuguese nationals.
Evangelical Christians now represent 2.1% of Portugal’s population. This is according to the official census of 2021. The Aliança Evangélica Portuguesa continues to play a vital role. It supports and represents this growing community. The AEP strives to unite, act, and transform.