A divine service in a garage? Well, for a New Apostolic congregation in Portugal this is practically its birthplace. The whole thing has to do with a trend that is not only evident there.
There is a saying, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.” And now this: in Portugal, New Apostolic Christians attend church in a garage.
On 18 May 2025, a new congregation was founded in São João da Azenha, a small town between Lisbon and Porto in Portugal. It is made up of five families, migrant workers, who originally come from São Tomé and now live and work in the region. The divine services are currently being conducted in the home of the local Priest—or more precisely, in his garage.
Visit from Apostle Diniz
“In the meantime, we have a core of 32 members,” Apostle Dimitrios Diniz says, who conducted a divine service in the congregation on 15 June 2025. He based his sermon on Matthew 3: 16–17: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Apostle emphasised that God is with those who serve Him, “We have been anointed to be witnesses of Christ—no matter the situation.”
During the divine service, three Priests and one Deacon were confirmed for the young congregation. Everyone was delighted by this positive development. “There were some interesting conversations after the divine service. The brothers and sisters are grateful that they have found a spiritual home in a foreign country,” Apostle Diniz reports. The Church is currently looking to rent premises for the growing congregation.
New Apostolic Church Portugal
The New Apostolic Church has been active in Portugal since 1981. The first divine services were initiated and conducted by ministers from Germany. Since then, Church life has developed continuously. The congregations in Portugal are looked after by the New Apostolic Church Western Germany, and Apostle Dimitrios Diniz is in charge of pastoral care.
Today, Portugal has 20 New Apostolic congregations with 5,400 members. They are cared for by 57 ministers. The congregations are spread across the entire country, with a focus on urban regions and conurbations. Services are conducted in Portuguese.
A growing number of New Apostolic Christians in Portugal come from African countries, particularly São Tomé and Angola. Their integration is increasingly shaping congregational life. There are also two congregations in which emigrants and holidaymakers from Germany make up the majority.
