The Adventist Immigrant Communities Congress brought around 700 attendees representing various nationalities to Loures, Portugal, from September 3–4. The two-day event served as a platform for cultural exchange, spiritual fellowship, and reflection on the immigrant experience in Portugal.

The congress featured several cultural and musical performances representing Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ukraine. Attendees were encouraged to participate in traditional-dress parades, flag displays, and national anthem performances representing each country.

The musical performances were presented by diverse musical groups and choirs. The 50-voice Association of Adventist Immigrant Communities Choir, the Sacavém Church choir, the Talatona Metropolitana choir (Portugal extension), Vocal Ezer, Blend Acapella, Vocal Vibes, Belina Neves Vocal Group, and Vocal Kumi were among the presenters.

The congress also featured a Friday night vespers program by Júlio Carlos Santos; Sabbath school discussions led by Hernâni Moura, Desconte Michael Mandinga, and Eugénio Mota; and a church service by José Lagoa, president of the Portuguese Union of Churches Conference.

The Adventist Immigrant Communities Congress meetings were hosted by Amália Santana, Jaime Molossande, and Belina Neves.

Participants said the Sabbath panel "Immigrant Resilience and Adaptability in a Portuguese Historical Context," moderated by Molossande, was of particular significance. Artur Machado, director of the Adventist Church in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region; Dr. Cármen Maciel, executive director of Adventist Development and Relief Agency Portugal; Dr. Patrícia Santiago, representative of the Division of Equality and Citizenship within the Department of Equality and Social Development at the Loures Municipal Council; and Lagoa were among the panelists. Each panelist represented the church, civic, or non-profit sectors.

Machado underscored the congress's significance and the strong involvement at the congregational level. He proposed initiating discussions with Portuguese Union leadership to foster expanded community involvement in future events, emphasizing a shared human identity as migrants.

Organizers said the Adventist Immigrant Communities Congress achieved its primary objectives of facilitating spiritual fellowship, cultural exchange, and unity among participating congregations.

The original article was published on the Portuguese Union of Churches Conference news site.