By Carlos and Ana Freitas in Portugal 

The Mark Drama is an evangelistic tool that churches and other Christian ministries can use and it is used a lot throughout Europe in a Christian Union environment at universities. It has a lot of advantages as it drives the group (church or GBU/IFES/ CU) to have conversations with institutions to try and get a more neutral space. Of course, the performances can happen in a church, but it might be easier to invite someone to a public school, to a university canteen or a city council space. It’s also an easier invite when you ask a friend to come and see a play for free and one where you’re taking part! 

The Mark Drama is also a discipleship tool. The team that performs it must memorise the order of events in Mark’s Gospel. It takes Christians to the Bible to wrestle with memorising events, but also thinking more profoundly about the Jesus that Mark wanted us to see; the Son of God. We had a team of 14 young Christians and today, two are in ministry and most of the others are committed Christians serving their local churches. 

In 2013, Portugal had the first set of performances in Coimbra, with GBU (IFES, Christian university students). At the time Matt George was the GBU secretary and he invited Andrew Page, the author of The Mark Drama, to Coimbra to direct a performance. 

Also in 2013, Ana and I were in our first year in full time ministry with the church in Eiras, Coimbra and with the GBU in partnership with Matt and Louise. Ana translated Andrew Page whilst he directed the first team of Christians in Coimbra performing The Mark Drama. 

Ana has coordinated a few more performances, always with GBU students. That is until 2023 when our church, Eiras Coimbra, went ahead to start a church plant in the city. In March 2024 we had the first performance of The Mark Drama by a church group, the mother church Eiras and the church plant, Comunidade da Graça Coimbra. 

“ECM has provided the network and the missionaries for the work of the gospel in Coimbra...” 

Tina Turner sang “what’s love got to do with it?” and you’re reading an ECM magazine and might think what part did ECM have? Well, Matt and Louise George were ECM Australia missionaries in Coimbra. Matt had attended the ECM Biennial where Andrew Page was invited to come and share The Mark Drama. Ana and I are now ECM Ireland missionaries in Coimbra. ECM has provided the network and the missionaries for the work of the gospel in Coimbra. It’s amazing to think that all who support ECM and its missionaries through prayer and giving are part of what God is doing through His people for His glory.

To find out more about what is going on in Portugal, click here.