At it's core CAI is about the re-evangelization of Europe, considered by many to the most spiritually needy continent in Europe. The long term goal is a snowball effect. These international churches growing and developing to the point where they are able to promote other church planting works through ministry modeling as well as having the resources and skills to train and develop quality Christian leaders for ministry throughout Europe. Beginning a church plant in Lisbon, Portugal A team approach to church planting. In 1997 I moved with my family as part of a CAI church planting team of 3 couples to Lisbon, Portugal 's large capital city and home to some 2 million people.
Team ministry plays an important part in church planting strategy.
From the start the team provides the church plant with a wide resource base of gifts and abilities, but also we found that with 9 children contributed by the 3 couples, the sheer mass of people involved made us significantly more convincing to those who were considering joining us in the venture. One warning about teams. Although they are God's way to get the job done they are also prone to conflict. For example, set aside a specific time each week, where team members have the freedom and safety to share, as well as knowing that they will be heard. During previous research trips to the area, we had been quoted estimates that there could be as many as 80 thousand internationals living and working in the greater Lisbon area.