TRANS Rio Grande do Sul

The Brazilian Baptist Home Mission Board (JMN) sponsors an annual evangelism project called Jesus TRANSforma (Jesus Transforms). During the "TRANS," Baptist volunteers throughout Brazil spend two weeks investing their lives in another part of the country. They do evangelistic surveys, pre-scheduled home visits, Bible studies, small groups, worship services, etc - basically whatever the local church or church start needs in the way of evangelism.

Only about half the number of volunteers the churches were planning for signed up, so there will be more than enough work for those who are here!

Our team of missionaries (www.teamgaucho.net) is helping with the TRANS project over the next two weeks in three different cities in Metropolitan Porto Alegre (Porto Alegre, Guaíba, and Eldorado do Sul). Please pray for safety, stamina and supernatural fruit as a result of this outreach.

The photo above is of the kickoff service before the volunteers scattered out to the various churches where they will be working.

Brazilian Baptist Convention

I had the privilege this past week of attending the Brazilian Baptist Convention meeting in Foz de Iguaçu. More than 2,200 Baptists from all over Brazil gathered to worship, discuss, and report on what God is doing all over this vast country.

There are currently 1.5 million members of Brazilian Baptist churches and more than 2 million people regularly attending worship. As far as churches go, there are 7,900 constituted churches and more than 12,800 buildings where Baptists meet (churches and or church plants).

It was tremendously encouraging to hear about the incredible things that God is doing in and through Brazilian Baptists. Drug addicts are finding freedom and salvation (see previous post), missionaries are being sent out to places where missionaries from other countries cannot go, home and foreign mission agencies are working together (even presenting their reports on stage together in t-shirts representing each other's agencies!), volunteers are going all over Brazil to share their faith (see posts on the TRANS), and churches are being started and strengthened all over this vast nation.



Much has been accomplished in the last 100+ years, and it was a tremendous privilege to get to see the "big picture" view of Baptist work - so often, I am caught up in the details of our local work. However, there is much work left to be done. Brazil is big, and the needs are still huge. Please join me in praising God for what He has done in Brazil, and ask Him to raise up workers for the Harvest and pour out His Spirit to bring light to the dark places of Brazil and to use Brazilians to take the light to a darkened world.

Brazilian Baptist Convention - "Christland"

As I attended the Brazilian Baptist Convention this week, one of the big highlights was hearing about the drug treatment centers in "Crackland" which are rapidly becoming a reference as "Christland." To hear the stories about men being reunited at the convention with their mothers after years as prodigals was incredible, as was the chance to see a former transvestite stand up with his girlfriend and share his dream of becoming a missionary. Two immigrants from Africa who ended up as drug addicts on the streets of São Paulo got saved and delivered and are currently being trained to return to Africa as missionaries. It was a joy to see them leading their fellow recovering brothers and sisters in dancing and singing to the Lord. The above picture is of the choir from Christland.

I sincerely hope that I will never forget the sound of 200 former crack addicts singing at the top of their lungs "I am free, I am free. Only through the blood of Jesus I am free!" It was musically one of the worst sounding songs I have ever heard, but it was one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It sent chills through your spine, and the sound of it is still ringing in my ears days later. The picture quality on the video is poor - but listen to the voices!

September Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People

The Metropolitan Porto Alegre area of South Brazil is home to more than 5 million Urban Gaúchos, less than 1% of whom have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. September is an important month for the Gaúchos, as it marks the anniversary of their civil war against Brazil which shaped their distinct cultural pride and fierce independence. Millions of Gaúchos turn out to celebrate their culture and heritage in civil war reenactments and celebrations this month. The Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People recognizes the spiritual significance of this month and draws together believers across geographical, cultural, and denominational lines to declare that September is a turning point when through prayer, the Gaúchos who have lived in darkness WILL see a great light, and that the gospel will take firm root and spread throughout this spiritually needy land. Pray that God would raise up more prayer warriors to stand with us and the Gaúchos before the throne of God and declare that God will raise up His church and that His light will shine brightly in Porto Alegre!

September 30 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

As the Whitentons begin to find their place in ministry in the city of Porto Alegre, please pray that they would develop a deep love for the Gaúchos and find creative ways to share the gospel. Ask that they would develop relationships with the Gaúchos that will lead to the reproducing of disciples, and that the Lord will provide opportunities for them to be a part of Bible studies in the homes of Gaúchos that will lead to the planting of new churches.

September 29 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

As you continue to pray for the Whitenton family, please pray for their adjustment as a family to a new culture, schooling situation, and language. As they begin homeschooling their children, pray for their successful learning and for a positive experience for everyone, to the glory of God. Pray that they will adjust to the many changes they are facing and that they will grow according the will of God. Also pray for their marriage to be strong and healthy and that it will continue to grow to be a witness to others around them, as well as asking that each member of their family will be protected spiritually, psychologically and physically from the attacks of the enemy.

September 28 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

Please pray for IMB missionaries Joel and Tamara Whitenton and their family who have also just arrived in Porto Alegre after a time of Portuguese language study in the city of Riberão Preto. Please pray that each member of their family would become fluent in Portuguese as they continue to learn the language with tutors. Pray also that they would grow in their knowledge of the Gaúcho culture so that they can live and minister effectively.