The Baptist Union of Great Britain appointed the Rev. David Doonan, who served with BMS in Portuguese-speaking Brazil for 24 years, to be a Specialist Mission Networker.
The idea behind Doonan’s new role comes from the experience of numerous churches in East Anglia which minister to communities with large numbers of migrant workers in seasonal agricultural work.
The Portuguese speakers originate not just from Portugal itself but also from many of its former colonies such as Brazil, Angola and islands in the Indian Ocean.
“For me, this is bridge-building on behalf of the Union and the Associations for these communities,” said Mr Doonan.These people are sometimes exploited, and they look for churches because they think they will be sympathetic.
Rev. David Doonan, President of BMS World Mission
“Some churches are saying, ‘We need advice and help’, not just from a mission perspective, but in the social context – these people are sometimes exploited, and they look for churches because they think they will be sympathetic.”
According to Mr Doonan, it is impossible to know the exact number of Portuguese speakers in the UK, as some are residing in the country illegally.
He said, however, that, “The need is very real, but this is a first towards meeting it.”Proposals have also been put forward for a Portuguese-speaking mission enabler to be appointed, who could work with the migrant communities both in rural and urban areas.
Where there are large numbers of migrants, churches don’t have the knowledge or experience to incorporate them into their churches,’ said East Midlands regional minister the Revd Ian Bunce.
‘There may be someone who can work as facilitators, journeying with the churches and acting as a resource.’
