I n the Jiu Valley in Romania, Reformed Church in America missionaries Felipe and Janelle Silva have opened a climbing gym for underprivileged kids and subsequently planted Anchor Church to help holistically share the love of Christ with those kids, their families, and the Roma community.
Nearly 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) away, the Reformed Church in Portugal, under the leadership of Evilazio Neto, is putting down roots.
On opposite edges of the European continent, these two church plants have a common identity and a goal: sharing the gospel.
But the connection is actually a bit more layered, full of God’s leading and working through a global partnership of joy and mutuality.
The relationship origin story
In 2022, the Silvas and Neto met and immediately connected during a weeklong trip hosted by RCA Global Mission to bring European church planters and their supporting churches together to retreat, learn, and connect. The week started in Ireland as a large group, then small groups went to different church plants throughout Europe. Thus, the Silvas visited the Reformed Church in Portugal (RCP) for the first time.
“It felt comfortable,” says Felipe. “We loved being there, and how warm the people were.”
Part of that comfort, especially for Felipe, came from speaking the same language. Originally from Brazil, Felipe speaks Portuguese, and was, in fact, in Portugal to help with some translation efforts.
“It was a very enriching experience to welcome Felipe and Janelle to Portugal,” says Neto. “Our families have become very close, as we share the common mission of establishing the kingdom of God in Europe.”*
Not too long after that first visit, Neto invited the Silvas back to Portugal to help lead English Camp, a week to share the gospel and help kids and adults learn English in order to succeed in professional settings.
“We connected even more and talked about the vision of RCP,” says Felipe. “We could clearly see their passion for the people of Portugal.”
Reformed Church in Portugal is in the pipeline for joining the Reformed Church in America, as part of one of the denomination’s newer classes [group of churches]: Classis de las Naciones, a Spanish name that translates to “Classis of the Nations.” The church plant will officially organize and join the classis and the denomination later this fall. This is the same classis that Felipe Silva was recently ordained in as well.
Related: A great multitude from many nations: the story behind Classis de las Naciones
While the bulk of the churches in Classis de las Naciones are of Hispanic background, as the name suggests, both the Reformed Church in Portugal and Anchor Church in Romania are helping the classis truly live into its name and live out its vision as a family of all nations brought together through Christ—and Reformed theology.
“It is not easy for us, as planters, to establish churches in the old continent,” says Neto. “When I arrived in 2013, Europe was spiritually cold and was becoming increasingly Muslim and atheistic. However, witnessing churches emerging and flourishing today is a true miracle. It is crucial to continue investing in Europe.”
Related: The future of the church in Europe and what the North American church can learn from it
Encouraging one another and learning from each other
In between visits, Neto and the Silvas have kept in touch and formed not just a partnership but a friendship.
“I have a deep affection for them,” says Neto. “They inspire me to continue persevering in my ministry. Their friendship and mutual support have been essential for our growth.
“I have learned a lot from them about serving the community, love for people, evangelism strategies, and the importance of perseverance in the work of God,” he adds. “Love for one’s neighbor is a fundamental value they always emphasize.”
During a third trip to Portugal, the Silvas were determined to figure out a time for Neto and a few others to come visit them in Romania. Less than a week after Felipe returned home, plans were underway for that first visit to Anchor Church.
“Their church works in small groups, and we wanted to incorporate that in our church,” says Felipe. “We invited them to speak about youth groups, kids ministry, and small groups.”
So, when Evilazio, his wife, daughter, and two others from RCP came, they spoke with the congregation of Anchor Church. Additionally, they worshiped together and held a joint youth group.
“It was very impactful for our church to see that vision and Evilazio’s passion for the people and for God,” says Felipe.
A month-and-a-half later, small groups started in Anchor Church.
Pictured above: Evilazio Neto and others from the Reformed Church in Portugal visit Anchor Church in Romania. Neto is in the center of the back row. Felipe Silva is next to him (without the hat); Janelle Silva is in the third row, second from the left.
As for Neto and the Reformed Church in Portugal, it was an encouragement to see an established church plant reaching its community with the love of Christ.
“My visit to Anchor Church taught me the importance of loving and serving people,” says Neto. “It also reinforced the need to persevere in the work of God, even in the face of challenges.”
“We were amazed at God’s action in Romania this weekend! He manifested himself in a supernatural way, leaving a lasting mark on our lives. I want to congratulate Pastor Felipe and Janelle for the incredible work they do in the church and in the community. Y’all send out some real love. I strongly believe that God will use them mightily to impact Eastern Europe. The grace and love of Jesus must be proclaimed to this blessed people! We are in prayer and in alliance to move forward together.” –Evilazio Neto, on social media after visiting Anchor Church
The fruits of the friendship (so far)
Both Neto and the Silvas consider themselves and their ministries richer and better as a result of this friendship. But their lives aren’t the only ones that have been changed because of it.
“One thing that is a fruit of our friendship… someone [from Anchor Church] gave his testimony about where God brought him from and what God has done in his life,” shares Felipe. “That was when Evilazio and a few others were visiting our church, so there was a live broadcast to Brazil as well. As they were watching, three people who were far from the Lord for a while were impacted by the message and decided right there that they wanted to follow the Lord and start going back to the church and change their lives. That was impactful.”
Another significant impact happened as a result of the drama that the Reformed Church in Portugal performed when visiting Anchor Church.
“There’s a young, influential woman in our church who could see herself in that drama, as the person being oppressed by sin,” says Felipe. “It was then that she saw Christ liberating her. It changed her life.”
Neto, too, gives testimony and praise for the transformation that is happening.
“Today, in Romania, we lived a memorable day that will echo in our history!” he shared on social media while visiting Anchor Church. “The presence of God is manifested mightily in this place. I believe Eastern Europe is about to witness an extraordinary revival, beginning with this nation! May the grace and love of Jesus transform and impact the entire region of Eastern Europe!”
*Evilazio’s responses and posts have been translated from their original Portuguese.
Becky Getz is a writer and editor for the Reformed Church in America's communication team. You can contact Becky at bgetz@rca.org.
