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Eugénio Duarte was born and raised, up to the age of 15, in Brava Island, Cape Verde. Over time, he has lived on seven of the nine inhabited islands of Cape Verde. He and his wife, Maria Teresa, have three sons, Sergio, Francisco, and Richard, and two grandsons.
Duarte was the first indigenous director of the Africa Region for the Church of the Nazarene. He was elected as the 37th general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene at the 27th General Assembly and Conventions held in Orlando in June 2009. Duarte is the first citizen from outside the USA/Canada Region to be elected to the highest office in the Church of the Nazarene.*
Tell us about your ministerial experiences.
I've been a Nazarene minister since 1978, and was ordained in 1981. In Cape Verde I pastored local churches, taught at the Nazarene Bible College, and served as literature administrator, on various boards, and as district superintendent. Outside Cape Verde, I have been a regional missionary, field strategy coordinator for four African fields, and Africa regional director since 2006.
What would HT readers be surprised to learn about you?
I was born and raised on Atlantic islands, yet only learned how to swim at age 22.
Dream destination?
Greece—I love ancient history.
What do you fear?
Being on a sinking ship.
Thing that most annoys you about yourself?
How I behave when I am seasick.
Thing that most annoys you about others.
Banging doors at midnight.
Your best trait?
I like to serve and to learn how to serve.
Your worst trait?
Low tolerance for repetitive discussions where no decisions are made.
How do you manage oversight of Nazarene work on your vast continent?
Trust God to use the steam of the team with whom I serve.
What does "holiness" mean to you?
A commitment to always opt for the peace of God to be the guardian of my mind and heart (Philippians 4:7).
Favorite meal?
Cachupada. (A stew of corn, beans, fish, or meat.)
How do caring for injustice and holiness correlate?
True justice is one of the greatest consequences of holiness. It is not possible to be holy and tolerate the deliberate damage that injustice causes to God's creation.
Best things about serving in Africa?
The Lord is in charge, the church is growing, and the team is passionate and focused. What else can one ask for?
Most challenging thing about serving in Africa?
Insufficient number of leaders to meet the needs of the growing church.
Which historical figure intrigues you?
King David of Israel.
Idea of a perfect day?
Spending quality time with God and my family, helping someone move forward in God's purpose for his or her life, receiving news about church growth and maturation, and having the things of God done as planned.
Goals for your children?
To see them in love with God (1 John).
Why are you a Nazarene?
For years it was the only church available in the country, other than the Catholic Church. I grew up being well cared for spiritually and intellectually by the Nazarene family. When I compared it with others, my love for its doctrine and principles increased. Healthy and faithful connections, and the opportunity to answer God's call are other reasons.
*Editor's Note: This article was scheduled for publication before Duarte's election as general superintendent.
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