‘Church Is Not About Buildings’: Browsing Pastor Builds Lighthouse of Religion on Seashores of Portugal

PORTO, Portugal – Browsing is commonly seen as a sport, but for some, it is rather more than that. They see driving the waves as a lifestyle, religious apply, and path to deeper connection. 

One Brazilian pastor and lifelong surfer has discovered a novel option to merge his ardour together with his religion. 

Discuss to any avid surfer, and so they’ll let you know it isn’t simply the waves, it is understanding the ocean’s rhythm and studying to learn patterns – the delicate actions of swells, timing of breaks, and the way wind shapes the waves.

“The water is the connection you might have with nature. When you’re browsing, you simply join with the water,” stated Samuel Cianelli dos Anjos.

Rising up in São Paulo, Brazil, Dos Anjos is not any stranger to the ocean and discovered to surf earlier than he may swim – driving the waves grew to become as a lot part of his life as household and mates.

“You benefit from the environment. You benefit from the nature, the wind, you take a look at the waves and it brings you calm and peace,” Dos Anjos informed CBN Information. “It is much more particular once I include my children for instance and my younger daughter and we surf collectively and he or she’s simply having fun with the water in her face.”

Dos Anjos says this connection to water goes past the bodily; it is also deeply religious for him.

“After I’m browsing and I am within the ocean and I see a wave, I can see God and I can relate to God once I’m within the ocean and surfers, they assume the identical. Possibly they do not consider in God, they do not worship one thing, however they perceive nature,” stated Dos Anjos.

He says the unpredictable nature of the waves, mirrors life’s ebb and move – its highs and lows, challenges, and moments of grace.

“We are able to evaluate the Holy Spirit with a wave. You do not management it. You see it, you’re feeling it. And the one factor you are able to do is navigate by it or on it and in my case with a surfboard,” Dos Anjos stated. “So, that is my deepest time with God is my connection, my devotional time with God. It occurs on this reference to the water.”

Dos Anjos had at all times dreamed of merging his two loves – religion and browsing. So, a number of years in the past, he left behind Brazil’s sun-soaked seashores and moved 5,000 miles to Portugal’s Atlantic coast.

Well-known for its cobblestone streets, historic structure, and the aroma of contemporary pasteis de nata, the town of Porto has change into a preferred vacationer vacation spot. 
 
What drew the pastor right here, although, have been the gorgeous coastlines and vibrant surf tradition.

“Right now once we discuss browsing, Portugal is getting very, very near being one of many greatest international locations in surf,” stated Dos Anjos.

He began organizing casual gatherings on the seaside. He started with easy BBQs and surf classes, inviting anybody curious sufficient to hitch. 

Quickly, the seaside grew to become his church.

“It’s my church, precisely. That is my on a regular basis workplace, every single day if I may, however as many instances as I can, as many possibilities I’ve I am right here. I am in my church, in my place, the place I join with God, I join with folks. I’ve a devotional with God, and I can share who Jesus is thru my on a regular basis life,” Dos Anjos informed CBN Information just lately.

Surf Church pastor, the Rev. Samuel Cianelli, preaches to his congregation on the church in Porto, Portugal. (AP Photograph/Luis Andres Henao)

Progressively, folks of various nationalities and backgrounds got here collectively, united by their love for the ocean and a thirst for deeper connections.

Pastor Samuel moved his household from Brazil all the way in which right here to Porto, Portugal, again in 2014. A 12 months later, Surf Church was began with 3 households. 

Right now, some 13 nations are represented, and their aim is to construct 50 church buildings throughout this nation.

“Church isn’t about buildings, it is about relationship,” insisted Dos Anjos. “You may be church in all places. You may be church even in your own home, you generally is a church.”

Sunday companies start on the seaside.

“Solar or rain, chilly or warmest day, we’re right here each time. Each Sunday. We’re right here. We serve collectively. We collect a gaggle of individuals, typically extra or typically much less so it is only a fellowship time. A time to attach once more with one another and God,” stated Dos Anjos.

One Sunday morning, church members witnessed Uliana Yarova get baptized within the Atlantic Ocean. As she emerged, laughter and cheers erupted from her new household, echoing HER pleasure.

“I am actually excited. I can not clarify my emotions, you already know,” stated Yarova.

The Ukrainian teenager fled her war-torn nation together with her household and located refuge in Porto – and in Surf Church. 
 
Additionally baptized, her brother Zakharii and their mom Nataliia have been there to witness the big day.

“I consider the perfect phrase to explain Surf Church at present is a lighthouse,” stated Dos Anjos. “We’re secure place the place folks from everywhere in the world can come and discover neighborhood, discover household, discover religion in Jesus.”

What began as a easy seaside gathering right here has grown right into a beacon of hope, providing a belonging and objective to folks from all walks of life.

Ultimately, Dos Anjos says it has moved method past browsing to incorporate navigating life collectively, with religion, love, and a shared dedication to one thing higher, all woven collectively by the straightforward act of driving waves and serving Jesus.

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