Our recent mission trip to Brazil not only impacted Brazilians spiritually, but also made a great impression upon the Fayetteville-area residents who participated.
“I am very, very glad I made the trip. It was inspirational, challenging and gratifying,” said Noreen Rogers.
Seven McDonough Road Baptist members joined 24 Fayetteville First Baptist members June 9-19 to travel to Santa Catarina and participate in Project 70, a mission strategy that pinpoints areas in need of evangelical, Bible-based churches and results in new believers and new church plants. One team member was from First Baptist, Jonesboro. Project 70 is based on Luke 10:1.
Over 100 Brazilians joined the American team in two cities. This year’s project concentrated on Porto Uniao and Blumenau. We flew into Curitiba, travelled several hours by bus to the northern city of Porto Uniao, population roughly 33,000. We divided into teams that made visits, presented the Gospel, did health screenings, held school assemblies, gave radio interviews, and invited people to the evening worship rally. A total of 565 people received Christ in three days.
Next we travelled to Blumenau, a city of nearly 350,000, and sent teams to permeate selected areas of the city. A total of 318 came to Christ in three days there. Seeing the Brazilians’ openness to hearing the Gospel presentation and sensing God at work was amazing!
Libby Torbush said, “A highlight was walking a mile in the rain up a muddy and rocky road in Matos Costa (near Porto Uniao) with Mariana stopping at houses to share Jesus. This small town did not have a Baptist church. One home let us share the Gospel. Mariana translated for me. We prayed together, read the Bible in Portuguese and English and the family agreed to have a Bible study start in their home.”
Here are my highlights:
• The partnership between McDonough Road Baptist and Fayetteville First Baptist. Pastor Jim Thomas invited me last year to go on this trip and then bring additional members this year to experience what God is doing in Brazil.
• The fellowship with the Brazilian Baptists. There is a language barrier, but there is no fellowship barrier. They are great people who are genuinely gracious and appreciative of the Americans coming so far to work side-by-side.
• Watching the Brazilians in action. “The Project 70 Brazilians we partnered with are empowered, dedicated, challenged, inspired and not ashamed or afraid to bring the Gospel to their fellow Brazilians,” said Rogers.
• Being part of very passionate, enthusiastic worship each evening. At the end of the service, there is dancing in the aisles to celebrate the people who made decisions.
• Preaching twice. I had the middle service in each city, and enjoyed preaching with a translator tremendously. The Brazilians were very responsive, and we had decisions in every service.
• Being interviewed on the radio. In Porto Uniao, I appeared on two FM stations and shared why we were in town. One station manager invited me back Saturday morning to lead a Bible study and do a 30-minute program. This opened a door as he offered the Baptist church two time-slots a week for their own program.
• Enjoyed watching our seven team members serve. They were flexible, willing and available. They went with the flow and kept up with a very exhausting schedule in tough weather. Joining me from MRBC were Bethany Gable, LeAnne Gable, Noreen Rogers, Libby Torbush, Oliver Whiten and Cheryl Woods.
• Was thrilled to see people receive Christ. Not every person was open to hearing about Jesus. Some were not interested, but the Brazilians are much more open than people here seem to be. They are happy to learn you don’t have to work your way to heaven, that salvation is a free gift that can be received by placing faith in Jesus. Many had never heard that message before
• Was blessed to see the church plant in Blumenau formally constitute as a church. Church members were questioned, the pastor was installed, 17 people were baptized and we took the Lord’s supper during a very meaningful evening. That church will be the flagship church to help plant other churches.
• Being stretched. “This trip definitely took us out of our comfort zone,” shared Cheryl Woods. Each member undertook tasks and met challenges that stretched them, and they grew from it.
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[Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Georgia. The church family meets at 352 McDonough Road, just past the department of drivers’ services building. Join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m. Visit them on the web at www.mcdonoughroad.org and like them on Facebook.]
