Program Promoting Prison Ministry in Madrid-Portuguese

On Sabbath, October 4, 2025, the Women's Ministry of the Portuguese-speaking church in Madrid held a worship service with the theme “Clay vessels filled with living water. The Power of Listening and Accompanying in Mission.”
Among the various guests, we highlight Sister Julia Avilés, who shared her experience in the mission, and Sister Anabella, who participated in preaching with Pastor Eliseo de Brito, coordinator of the Prison Ministry. Some volunteers from different churches in the Madrid district participated in the program. They are also involved in prison ministry, and visit inmates in different prisons. The entire day was dedicated to promoting the Women's Ministry project “Libertas,” which has been active since 2023, when the church received a call to get involved in this project, to be a witness to the true freedom that is found in Jesus.
The Libertas Project
This project was born in the heart of Women’s Ministries in 2023, and although the team changes every year, it continues with the same mission. On this day, under the direction of Luciane Gamero and her team—Aline Montes, Claudia Helaine, Damares Espindola, Danusa Espindola, and the elderly Hilda Espindola—they began the ecclesiastical year by promoting and motivating the church to participate in this mission of caring for incarcerated women. The goal is to offer spiritual care to these women deprived of their freedom, share hope in Jesus, strengthen their faith to win life's battles, and develop God's love to find true peace. The project addresses the spiritual needs with care and support of women who are isolated from our society.
Clay pots filled with living water
The expression “clay pots filled with living water” evokes human frailty and divine fullness. In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul reminds us that we are clay pots, so that the power of God may be manifested in our lives, not by our strength, but by his grace.
The living water in John 4 leads us to reflect on the water that quenches spiritual thirst. Jesus explained to the woman at the well that this water is different from physical water; it is a gift that quenches thirst and promotes eternal life. For this reason, Women’s Ministries, together with our coordinator, Pastor Eliseo, encourages the church to commit to sharing with these women the source of living water, and the changes that occur when we fill our lives with this water that is Jesus Christ. He is the one who fills the emptiness of the soul and transforms the lives of those who receive him, because true freedom is having Christ as our Savior.
The power of listening and accompanying in mission
It is very important to emphasize empathy in our interactions, especially when addressing people deprived of their freedom. By listening to their stories and being present in their lives, we can build bridges of understanding and love. Our mission becomes a transformative act, where accompaniment is a powerful means of fostering peace and hope in a world that often lacks both. Thus, by offering genuine support, we contribute to the healing of these people in society.
The Ministry promotes a view beyond the walls of the church, reaching out to incarcerated women, by bringing God's love to a place where supposedly there is no hope. It teaches them that true freedom is found in Christ.
Thanks to God and the entire team
The Women's Ministry team extends its gratitude to the pastor of the Portuguese-speaking Adventist church, Igor Domingos, for his support and attention to the project, also to Pastor Eliseo de Brito, coordinator of the Prison Ministry, for his accompaniment and willingness.
Thanks also to the leaders of the Prison Ministry: Abel, Anabella, Danusa, David, Estera, Joaquina, Julia, Michele, Nati, Omaria, Sara, and Wilma, who gladly agreed to participate in this day of promoting the project to the church.
But most important of all is our gratitude to God for using us to bring the water of life to those who are thirsty. May the Holy Spirit empower every willing brother and sister, the team, the leaders, and the pastors to bring Jesus. And, like water in the desert, may they fulfill God's will.
According to a report by Alessandra da Silva Oliveira, correspondent for revista.adventista.es at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Madrid-Portuguesa.
https://revista.adventista.es/vasijas-de-barro-llenas-de-agua-viva-en-madrid-portuguesa/