Rev. William and Bonnie Markham
Region(s): Europe
Portugal
Bio: Bill and Bonnie Markham, formerly of Kingsburg, California, received their appointment as missionaries to Brazil in 1980. After completing two productive terms in Brazil, the Markhams transferred to Portugal to give leadership to the struggling church. He stated, “In Portugal I am the field superintendent. I have legalized the church and restructured the by-laws and am involved in leadership training, evangelism, and church planting.” In 1994 his responsibility expanded to include the UPC of Spain. The past several years have been difficult for the Markhams. Painful back surgeries have kept Bonnie Markham confined to California. He shuttles between California and the field, desperately trying to be both a good husband and a productive missionary. It is hoped that her condition will improve so that she will be able to accompany her husband to the field.
PortugalPortuguese Republic/República Portuguesa
Area Coordinator: Michael L. TuttleSuperintendent/President: William H. Markham
Population: 10600000
Area: 35,514 sq. mi.
Capital: Lisbon
Languages: Portuguese
Religions: Roman Catholic, 91%
Slightly smaller than Indiana, the Portuguese Republic occupies the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula. The nation’s once extensive overseas possessions are now reduced to Macao, the oldest European outpost in China; the Azores, islands about 1,000 miles off Portugal’s coast; and Madeira, an island about 535 miles southwest of Portugal in the Atlantic. Joseph Domingues founded the United Pentecostal Church of Portugal in 1972. Often without a missionary to lead and guide it, the church now has 254 constituents, eight licensed ministers, and ten churches and preaching points.
Note: Information was obtained from UPCI.com
