Emigrant finances renovation of the first Church of the Nazarene in Africa, located in Brava
The emigrant João Medina Pina, based in the United States of America, financed the remodeling of the first Church of the Nazarene in Africa, which is located in Brava, in the city of Nova Sintra.
Speaking to Inforpress, João Medina Pina highlighted that the motivation that made him invest in this remodeling is that he was the third generation of his family to attend this church and in 1975 he emigrated abroad, however, he spent 47 years without returning to his homeland. homeland.
“After I returned to the island, this church is one of the first places I visited and I left with tears in my eyes because of its state of degradation. However, I returned to the United States of America with the idea of returning and rebuilding this house of God, and that is what is happening at the moment”, he said.
According to the same source, they are painting the church, building a bathroom, installing new windows and doors, among other renovations.
“To complete this project, around 75 to 80 percent (%) of the financing came from my retirement, but I also had help from half a dozen friends and I am very proud to see this church rebuilt”, he said.
In turn, the pastor of the Church of Nazareno, in Brava, João Monteiro considered that this remodeling is a big step today, because many things from the past are turning into “dust”, and this work, he emphasized that it is raise what he considers to be a “great story”, in Cape Verde, in Africa and far beyond”.
“When we talk about the Church of the Nazarene we are talking about the whole world, and this church here is the center that accentuated the gospel that arrived on Brava Island through João José Dias in 1901 and soon after the Church of the Nazarene was made official in the USA”, clarified.
The pastor praised the “noble” gesture of the emigrant João Medina, considering that God is linked to this work.
“During the time that we have been here working on this work, many stories have come to light, people have started to report what they went through or what they experienced in this church that has already served this municipality in the educational structure and in various aspects”, he concluded.
In 1901, João José Dias, a Cape Verdean who emigrated to the United States of America, returned to his homeland, Brava Island, in Cape Verde, to share the message of salvation. Thanks to his ministry, today, there are 120 years of beneficial influence of the Church of the Nazarene for the Cape Verdean nation and there is currently a street named after him in the capital of the municipality, Cidade Nova Sintra.
