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 available 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, where they continued serving in their local Nazarene church. When three of their daughters, who are married to Swedish citizens, moved to Sweden, Isabel and Segundo made the decision to relocate as well in order 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 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, district 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 development and potential church planting.
Isabel is currently in the ordination process and is expected to be ordained in the Spanish District in the coming 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 that missionaries and additional ministry support may eventually be needed to strengthen and expand the work.
This ministry opportunity also highlights an increasingly important reality of mission in today’s interconnected world. As people move across borders because of family, work, and changing life circumstances, new opportunities emerge for ministry, church planting, and building faith communities among diverse populations. The story unfolding in Alingsås reflects how migration and global mobility can become pathways through which God creates new spaces for belonging, discipleship, and mission.
Pray for the spiritual hunger and ministry opportunities present in Alingsås and the vision for the possible future expansion of Nazarene ministry in Sweden.
