ANACELTO AND CARMELIA
Anacleto and Carmelia Ferráo are two Mozambican nationals who are totally committed to seeing the good news of the Gospel communicated to every person in the world. Whilst they believe they are definitely called to work here in Beira, their vision is not limited to just Beira. They not only have a heart for the rest of Mozambique, they are also totally behind their denominations policy of encouraging young men and women of vision to serve God as missionaries to other nations of the world. Currently they have friends who have gone as missionaries to Angola, Portugal and Brazil, where their fluent Portuguese has enabled them to be of immediate effect in reaching others for Christ.

As well asbeing the father of an extended family of eight and overseeing the operation of the Beach House, Anacleto works as a Project Manager for a large Christian based aid organisation called Food for the Hungry International, and is studying for a Masters Degree in the Teaching of English at the local University. But his and Carmelia’s main ministry is as the pastors of the large City Centre Assemblia de Deus Africana (Assemblies of God Africa) Church close to the main square. They also have seven satellite churches scattered through the suburbs of Beira, that have grown out of a church planting ministry they encourage amongst the Elders and Deacons etc. The building currently used by the Main Church is a very simple structure of Poles, Bamboo Mats and Corrugated Tin Sheets, along one side of a building which houses the Church Office, A Store room and two small teaching rooms. Up until about four years ago, the whole church met in one of the teaching rooms on a Sunday morning, but increasing numbers meant they needed more space. They believed that God was leading them to build a large church building, and this was confirmed by the government allocating them a suitably sized plot of land on the main road into the city, and close to a large new shopping development.

Since they believed that God has called them to build it. They have made no appeals to missionaries, missionary organisations or churches they have contact with in other countries, as a congregation they have looked to God for the necessary finance and expected Him to supply it through them. As they have committed themselves to be faithful in their giving towards the construction, many of the congregation have been blessed with pay rises and promotion, but even so at the rate they are able to give it could take them ten or twelve years to complete the building. The faith of this church is a blessing to see, as they joyfully meet Sunday by Sunday in their ‘temporary building’, bring their offerings towards the construction, and trust that God knows what He is doing if it does take them ten years to get there. The offerings that they bring each Sunday for the construction, are in addition to their tithes and offerings for the general work of the church. They may be part of the fourth poorest nation in Africa, but out of the abundance of their hearts they are freely giving to God, and God is blessing them with increase in every area of their lives.

The church they are looking to build is one where all the congregations can come together for worship at least once a month, and in order to do this, and house the increase they are believing God for, they are looking to construct something with a main worship area capable of seating about 800 people. It’s not difficult to see that both Anacleto and Carmelia are busy people already, but they still can look forward with joyful anticipation to being even busier for God in the future, as both the church and the family grows and develops.