The Documentary Podcast Heart and Soul: Portugal's Surf Church
May 30, 2025
Samuel Cianelli dos Anjos, a Brazilian-born pastor and passionate surfer, leads Porto's Surf Church, blending surfing with traditional worship. The podcast explores this innovative community, addressing how many young people in Portugal feel disconnected from traditional faith. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, attendees share their personal journeys, revealing how surfing fosters spirituality and unity. The discussion shifts between struggles with conventional religion and the transformative power of gathering by the ocean, highlighting a fresh wave of faith.
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Surfing as Worship Ritual
- Pastor Sam and others surf together as part of their unique Sunday worship service at Surf Church.
- Surfing and faith blend seamlessly, creating a spiritually enriching experience in nature.
Informal Worship Builds Closeness
- Junior found Surf Church through Instagram and appreciates the informal, beachside worship.
- He feels closer to God in this relaxed environment than in traditional religious settings.
From Suffering to Acceptance
- Anna shares how watching her mother suffer through extreme Catholic rituals left her disillusioned.
- She later found acceptance and emotional connection with God through Surf Church's free worship style.