When Isabel Coral and her husband, Segundo Vargas, relocated to Sweden to be closer to their family, they recognized a need. Upon arriving in Alingsås, they discovered that there was neither a Church of the Nazarene presence nor a Spanish-speaking faith community in their area. Seeing this need, they stepped out in faith and began gathering people together.
Originally from Peru, Isabel and Segundo faithfully served in the Church of the Nazarene. They later moved to Spain continuing to serve in their local Church of the Nazarene. When three of their daughters, who are married to Swedish citizens, moved to Sweden, Isabel and Segundo made the decision to move to Sweden to be closer to their family.
What began as a response to a local need has grown into a potential church-planting opportunity. The group now meets regularly every Sunday in Alingsås and continues to serve the broader Spanish-speaking community. Their ministry has impacted not only Spanish speakers, but also third-culture individuals (those who grow up in different cultures) and people connected to the Spanish-speaking world through family relationships, cultural ties, or an interest in the Spanish language.
At the end of February, Cezarina Glendenning, Central Europe field strategy coordinator, together with Kaj Ove Bollerup, superintendent of the Scandinavia District, and church member Peter Christoffersen, traveled to Alingsås to meet with Isabel and Segundo Coral.
During the visit, the team was deeply encouraged by the faithfulness, hospitality, and commitment of Isabel and Segundo, as well as the involvement of their children. Together with local leaders, the team developed a strategic plan for future ministry and potential church planting.
Isabel is expected to be ordained through the Spain District next year, reflecting her continued commitment to ministry and service within the Church of the Nazarene. Isabel and Segundo shared that as the ministry continues to grow, they anticipate the need for missionaries and additional ministry support to strengthen and expand the work.
This ministry opportunity also highlights an increasingly important reality of missions in today’s interconnected world. As people move across borders for family, work, and life changes, new opportunities emerge for ministry, church planting, and building faith communities among diverse populations.
The story unfolding in Alingsås reflects how global migration can become a means God uses to create new spaces for belonging, discipleship, and missions.
The Eurasia Region requests prayer for the spiritual hunger and ministry opportunities in Alingsås and the vision for the possible future expansion of the Church of the Nazarene in Sweden.