Matt and Silivia Watson – Leadership Development and Church Planting in Portugal
BACKGROUND / MINISTRY
Matt moved to Portugal to pursue missions in 2010 and has ministered in a tent-making capacity in evangelism/discipleship, as an assistant pastor and youth minister, and in church planting. God has also opened doors for Matt to be involved in biblical leadership development through the Portuguese Bible Institute (IBP) both within Portugal and in Portuguese speaking Africa where nearly 60 million people of differing tribal ethnicities use Portuguese as a common language.
Silvia was born in Portugal and lived in England while her father attended graduate school. She and Matt were married in 2016 and have worked together in youth ministry/discipleship and church planting. Silvia has a degree in Marketing and works in project management.
Together with a diverse team of national leaders, Matt and Silvia are working to build a three-pronged ministry to develop new generations of Christian leaders who are equipped to rise above the historical divisions that exist between Protestant churches and make an impact for the gospel in Portugal. The first step is planting seeds to mobilize youth andstimulate biblical attitudes and mindsets among the next generation. Step two focuses on nurturing and shaping future leaders though training in biblical studies and leadership through a specially developed curriculum Matt will teach at IBP. The third prong of the ministry involves discipling and mentoring young leaders as they become pastors, evangelists, and missionaries in the Portuguese speaking world and multiply other leaders to be effective doers of the Word resulting in a multigenerational impact for the Kingdom of God.
PRAYER REQUESTS / MINISTRY NEEDS
For seven years Matt worked as an English language teacher in Lisbon to support himself in ministry. However, that means of support ended in 2017 when the language institute where Matt taught suddenly declared bankruptcy and closed its doors. Also during 2017, several professors at IBP were unable to return due to illness, creating a critical shortage of qualified teachers. God has prepared Matt to fill this need at IBP, but he must raise support to serve as a missionary Bible teacher at the Bible Institute. Please pray for:
- Monthly support needs to be met for Matt and Silvia.
- God to raise up future generations of godly leaders who have a passion for His Word and hearts to reach the Portuguese speaking world for Christ.
- Divisions that exist in churches in Portugal and for God to soften the hearts of pastors as they attend conferences sponsored by the Portuguese Bible Institute.
