For many in Portugal’s expat community, Riverside is more than a church—it is a spiritual home for hundreds of people from diverse nations, denominations, cultures, and backgrounds. At its Cascais campus, leadership is preparing to transition from father to daughter as a woman steps forward to take the helm—something that remains controversial and divisive in some Christian churches and denominations worldwide.

History

Pastors Eddie and Marta arrived in Portugal from South Africa in early 1996, after leading a flourishing church in Benoni with campuses in two other cities. They arrived with the vision of planting an international, non-denominational, multi-generational Christian church that would significantly impact Portugal and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One of Eddie’s first jobs in Portugal was at The Portugal News, where he served as Editor for two years. He worked at the newspaper during the day and served as a bi-vocational missionary, ministering at night and on weekends when he was not reporting for the paper. Many other jobs followed before he became a salaried pastor.

Growth

Despite many challenges over the years, Riverside grew steadily from a house church into a thriving multicultural movement. They moved from their original house church (1.5 years), to St. Julian’s School in Carcavelos (4.5 years), to CETHE Estoril Hotel School (1.5 years), to ABLA Carcavelos (6 years), and to Corpo do Messias in São Pedro do Estoril (3 years), finally settling at Galerias O Navegador, on Avenida 25 de Abril 1011 in Cascais, in 2013.

In Cascais, the church owns the main auditorium, where Sunday services and numerous ministries, events, and community activities are held. A new mini-auditorium for children is under construction, and expansion plans for the main sanctuary—from 230 to 330 seats—are scheduled to begin in June. Riverside owns 12 additional stores in the building, dedicated to the church’s social, cultural, and religious work.

New Churches

In 2006, Riverside Porto was planted; Riverside Coimbra in 2014; and Riverside Algarve in 2015. In 2017, Eddie’s youngest daughter, Gabriela Fernandes Faria, planted Riverside Lisbon alongside her husband, Ruben. They launched The Lisbon Project the same year. Two years ago, Riverside Coimbra left the Riverside Federation to join Bethel, becoming “Open Heavens.” Many other ministries have grown out of Riverside, and the church’s mission footprint extends around the world. The church designates a percentage of its monthly budget to missions and sends mission teams to different countries each year. In September, 35 members will embark on a “Footsteps of the Apostles Tour” to Greece.

Succession

In 2025, Eddie and Marta began the difficult process of succession. After much corporate prayer, counsel, listening to their flock, and seeking wisdom from God and others about who should succeed them, God confirmed leadership should pass to their middle daughter, Renée Fernandes Soares, and her husband, Ruben. Renée grew up in the church and knows every facet of the ministry intimately. Over the years, she has served with excellence in nearly every area—from children’s ministry to worship, multimedia, audio, counselling, prayer, youth ministry, and leading life groups. She has also served as an Elder and Executive Pastor. She embodies the church’s unique DNA. She is also gifted, a multitasker, and well respected as a qualified Doctor of Chiropractic with theological training, and a mother to Ezekiel and Isabelle. Most agree she is anointed and Eddie’s natural, capable, and competent successor.

Woman in the church

Yet not everyone agrees with her selection—simply because she is a woman. Across many Christian traditions and denominations, some still argue that women should not preach, teach, lead, or serve as pastors in Christ’s Church. In response to this ongoing theological debate, Pastor Eddie published his fourth book, “Women in Leadership – Debunking Myths and Defending Callings,” in which he argues that many of the biblical prohibitions commonly cited against women in ministry are rooted more in cultural and traditional interpretations than in sound theology. He says Christ called everyone—men and women alike—to make disciples, baptise, preach, and teach, citing Matthew 28:19–20. His book challenges the contemporary church to reconsider interpretations of Scripture that silence half of the Church’s missionary force, especially when troubling times urge believers to “work while it is yet day” (John 9:4).

At the same time, Pastor Eddie strongly promotes healthy biblical masculinity. His fifth published book, “The 12 Ps of Biblical Masculinity – Reclaiming Authentic Manhood Through Biblical Truth,” will be released in June. “Christ,” he says, “did not come to pit one race, denomination, or gender against another. Christ’s Church is not about position, power, preference, or prominence, but rather about submission, sacrifice, surrender, and service.”

Since 2001, Eddie has intentionally empowered and released women to serve in every capacity at Riverside. He adds, “Riverside is a church that stretches believers’ minds.” One of the church’s foundational pillars is: “unity in the essentials of the Christian faith, diversity in the non-essentials, and charity (love) in all things. Without love, everything falls apart.”

He strongly advocates that families serve together, grounded in God’s Word. His oldest adopted daughter, Tehur, and her husband, Tiago Matias, serve in Cascais. Riverside is home to strong families who reflect Joshua 24:15: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Eddie’s primary ministry is to his wife, their three daughters, their sons-in-law, and their eight grandchildren—all of whom actively serve in the Riverside Federation of churches.

The Future

Over the next two years, the focus will be on equipping Renée to become Senior Pastor of the Cascais campus and on preparing Jonathan Ferreira and his wife, Aline Ferreira, to serve as Assistant Pastors overseeing the recently planted Portuguese congregation. Riverside currently holds English-language services on Sundays at 09:00 and 11:00, and the Portuguese service meets at 17:30.

In March 2027, Jonathan will be ordained as pastor of the Portuguese congregation. In March 2028, Renée will be ordained as Senior Pastor of Riverside Cascais—pending a favorable congregational vote. After 2028, the founders plan to divide their time serving wherever needed in Cascais, strengthening and planting Riverside churches, and continuing with global missions—a calling they have faithfully pursued for decades. They have ministered in more than 70 nations and continue to serve internationally. This is not merely a leadership transition—it is the continuation of a calling, a legacy, and a vision for generations yet to come, should Christ tarry and humanity not destroy this beautiful world God lovingly created!

Image credits: Marcus Castro / fotografoemcascais