Who are we?
Freedom City Church is an English speaking church in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal, who are passionate about Jesus and people. We have a deep desire to see the love of God revealed to the people of Lisbon, for them to find freedom in Him and for us to build real, meaningful relationships amongst each other.
In January 2020, a group of people were sent out from 3Ci church in Pretoria, South Africa, to start Freedom City. And despite incredible challenges of relocating to a different country and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, an incredible community began to form. Soon others from all over the world were joining and so began our journey of navigating planting a church in very different times.
We are a church who worship God passionately and wholeheartedly, living with audacious faith and generosity. We are a church who believe that through worship, the preached word, true community, creativity and purpose, people can get to know God and He can change their lives. We are a church who are brave and who take chances to see the kingdom of God in action. We are a church who extend grace and love to the people of our beautiful city and beyond, as we have been shown grace and love. We want to be a people who bring about change in the best kind of ways, in our workplace, family’s and day to day lives. We want to be a people who think big, dream big and do big, as we are confident in who God has made us to be and we are His sons and daughters. We want to be a church that carries the hope for the nations and where people can come as they are.
God has put big dreams in our hearts for Lisbon and Portugal as a whole, and we believe God has called us to partner with Him in redeeming this amazing city and whoever He sends our way. We can not wait to see His plans unfold.
Here are some of the things we value and that are at the core of who we are:
Living free
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yolk of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 NIV
We believe that every person can live free from sin, free from their past mistakes, free from a broken identity, and free in all aspects of life because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.
We do not have to prove ourselves or strive for acceptance. We know that we are fully accepted by a loving Father who is gracious, compassionate and slow to anger. God does not condemn us for what we have done but forgives us and encourages us to live according to His ways that bring life in abundance. Because of this, we can be ourselves and live confidently as the children of God.
Even though the world around us remains broken and we are not perfect, we know that Jesus has won for us an incredible victory and as we believe in Him and learn to trust Him, we can experience the most amazing freedom.
Unity in diversity
In a world torn apart by racial prejudice, political polarisation and rampant individualism, the church is called to be a diverse community living selflessly and for the sake of others.
At Freedom City we believe that our diversity can be our strength and that if we are united, we can be an unstoppable force of love to everyone we meet.
There is such an opportunity at this time for people to encounter Jesus, as we do not judge or criticise them for being different but celebrate who they are.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:28 NIV
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Contributors not consumers
All of us live in the age of the consumer, but we do not approach church as a service we subscribe to, but rather as a family where each person has belonging and purpose.
We want to find ways in which to activate each person in their God-given gifts and talents, and make room for them to add to what God is busy with in our community and the city.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 NIV
The mission of Jesus
The mission of God is about people not projects. We desire to be individuals and a church who fulfil the glorious purpose and mission of God here on earth, which is to introduce people to Him, our Father, who will stop at nothing to reveal Himself. And invite them to go on a journey of following Jesus, living by the Holy Spirit and doing life with others so that they too may get to know God.
Early on in the story of Freedom City we asked ourselves the question: “Would it be enough if we just loved the people of Lisbon?” And we believe it is!
When we use our time, our treasures and our talents to really genuinely love people, their hearts can open up to an even greater love, and lives can be transformed. This has started to happen but we want to see it more. As the Holy Spirit empowers us and we are deeply dependent on Him, this is possible.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 NIV
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Who should I send? Who will go for Us?” I said: Here I am. Send me.”
Isaiah 6:8 NIV
Sundays
At the beginning of February 2021 we received the keys to a permanent venue, 300 meters from the Rato Metro Station in Principe Real. You are welcome to join us from 4:30PM for coffee and catch ups on the ground floor before the meeting begins at 5PM in the downstairs area.
We would love to hear from you so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are new to the city or looking for a church.
Dinner parties
Dinner parties are our midweek meetings where we enjoy good food, catch up with great people, hear each other’s stories and pray together. Deep and long-lasting relationships built in an authentic community, focused on Jesus, are a priority to us, and we have come to value these Wednesday evenings as our primary way for developing these amazing friendships.
We meet most Wednesday nights at 7PM in homes around the city. Sign up for our dinner parties or contact us for more details.