The Missionary Heart Beats Strong in Brazil

From August 8-20 Dr. Jefferson Ritchie, travelled to Brazil to visit global partner, the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB).  He had long talks with  the new Moderators of the IPIB, the Rev. Aureo Oliveira, participated in a conference for the missionaries of the Sertão Project in Northeast Brazil let by the Outreach Foundation Mission Staff, the Rev. Dr. J.C. Pezini, and spoke at a mission conference of a congregation in the southern part of  Brazil.

The Sertão Project has made progress since its inception in 1999.  The Department of Evangelism of the IPIB has made a strategic decision to focus on “investigating in people” to grow the church, and they invited Peziini from The Outreach Foundation to give 3-day training sessions for the missionaries of each of their major church planting projects.  The Sertão as Pezini’s first stop, after which he went  to the missionaries of the Amazon Region and then to southern Brazil to train the missionaries in the Gaucho Project.

In the Sertão  Dr. Ritchie witnessed the lively give-and-take between Pezini and the participants in the seminar as they spoke of the spiritual life of the pastor/church planter, how to use time wisely, and the profile of effective church planters.  Pezini and Ritchie also visited each of the new churches  that are being planted in Cajazeiras, Sousa and Pombal.  The situation of the church in each place has  different challenges, but the workers are seasoned and serving the communities with great energy.

While the Department of Evangelism continues its strong commitment to domestic mission, it was excited to explore global mission opportunities in partnership with The Outreach Foundation including support for mission projects in the USA and Africa.  They also raised the possibility of asking some of our global partners in other countries  for help reaching out to the many Muslims living in Brazil.

When God’s people engage in mission together a bond forms between them.  The bonds between the Brazilian Church and The Outreach Foundation were  certainly strengthened this part August as both realized that our hearts beat in the same rhythm as we join God in mission.

Reflections from Jeff Ritchie,

Associate Director for Mission for The Outreach Foundation

Presenting... The Leaders of the IPU

Dennis Smith, PCUSA Regional Liaison to Brazil and the Southern Cone reported the following:

At the XVI General Assembly iof the IPU in Salvadar, BA June 14th– 17th, 2011 with 106 delegates the following decisions were made regarding the Coordinating Counsel for August 2011 through July 2014:

Moderator: Elder Anita Sue Wright Torres

Vice-Moderator– Rev. Dagoberto dos Santos Pereira

1st Secretary– Elder Wertson Brasil de Souza

2nd Secretary– Rev. Luciano Fully

Treasurer– Elder Obadias Alves Ferreira

1st Alternate- Rev. Jorge Alencar da  Silva

2nd Alternate– Elder Robson Schiavinato Silva

IPU’s Partnership with FPC Tuscaloosa, AL

On the 18th of July a group of 11 youth and adults  arrived in Vitoria from the USA and spent 2 weeks in Brazil for a cultural exchange program.  They were from the First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa (PCUSA) which is in partnership with the IPU.  The group worked painting 3 churches and getting to know the people of the IPU. 

The  two weeks were very nice.  The groups worked during the morning and the afternoon painting the IPU of Camp Grande in Cariacica, and their work was recognized and  greatly appreciated by the congregation and friends of the church .  On Saturday they went to IPU in Maruipe and painted several rooms alongside people from the church and other churches in the Presbytery.

On Sunday the group participated in Sunday school at Parque Gramado and that night they participated in worship wit the church at Maruipe where Rev. Nick Reed, the Youth Pastor in Tuscaloosa gave the sermon with translation by Elder Euzi Moraes,, in which he expressed the importance of remembering our history and listening to the history of others.  The music during worship was in both English and Portuguese.

Various cultural activities happened, and the group  experienced BBQs, typical parties and visits to famous places in the region.  Friendships  were developed during the activities and at night during times of conversation. 

During the farewell worship at First IPU group expressed their gratitude for the  work that they did and the friendships developed.  Julie Ray, from the group in Tuscaloosa, began to cry as she spoke about the car e that the elders showed them.  Nick Reed preached once again with translation by Moderator Anita Wright Torres, giving thanks for the spiritual lesson s they learned with their Brazilian brothers and sisters.

When they left they went to Rio de Janeiro to pass time in the “Marvelous City” before  leaving for the United States so they could experience the natural beauty of Vitoria and Rio.

We want to say thank you  to everyone in the Presbytery of Vitoria who received friends from Tuscaloosa with tender care and who worked together with them.  We also want to thank the group of Americans who responded to our invitation: Adam and Ashley,  Dr. Daniel (Danny) Potts and his daughter Julie, Rev. Nick Reed, Lois Palecek, Amanda Fowler, Scott Giles, Martha Grace Mize and Chris Cline.

Thank you,

 Daniel and Thelma Goodrum

Missionaries of the PCUSA

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in Partnership with the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brasil, Ceará

First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta (FPC) has been involved in Brazil since 2007. Joining with the First Independent Church of Fortaleza, the Independent Church of Messejana, and PRECE (an Educational Cooperative) FPC is supporting efforts to improve the living conditions, enhance the education al opportunities and increase economic development for individuals in the church community.

Some of the areas we have assisted include the construction of the Christ is Life School at Pirambu, providing hope in dangerous and desperate living conditions; support for Camp Sara, a self-sustaining community Center that will enable impoverished youth and church leaders to study the Gospel together; support for the church in Messejana, a vibrant independent church fostering new mission churches of its own; support for PRECE, where students help other students improve their education, pass the university entrance exam and develop sustainable community and educational programs. PRECE is now in over 18 locations, more than 400 students have passed the entrance exams and 50 students are now university graduates.

In September leaders of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta will be travelling to Sao Paulo and Fortaleza to discuss with church leaders the future of our partnership in Brazil. We are looking forward to this opportunity and pray that God will open new doors for us to work together in impoverished areas in Fortaleza.

* Submitted by Rose Emily Bermudez, Mission Staff at FPC Atlanta

Brazil Network 2011

In June of 2011 the PCUSA Brazil Mission Network, comprised of PCUSA presbyteries, individuals and organizations as well partners from the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil, the United Presbyterian Church of Brazil and other related organizations joined together in Indianapolis.  For two days the group worshipped together, shared stories about their past journeys, current struggles and joys, and future dreams and vision.  All partners were encouraged as they shared their common faith in God and their desire to strengthen mission in Brazil and partnerships between Brazil and the USA. 

It was at this meeting that it was decided that constant contact would be maintained and frequent updates would be sent to all partners electronically.  This will be accomplished via online newsletters as well as this Brazil Network blog.  We welcome all to read the blog and contact Kacy Brubaker at kacyleighbrubaker@gmail.com with stories and updates they wish to include in the newsletter and on the blog.   This blog serves both English and Portuguese speaking partners (asking forgiveness for the mistakes in the Portuguese grammar and spelling!).

**********

Em junho de 2011, o PCUSA Brasil Mission Network, composta por presbitérios da PCUSA, indivíduos e organizações bem como parceiros da Igreja Presbiteriana Independente do Brasil, a Igreja Presbiteriana Unida do Brasil e outras organizações afins se uniram em Indianapolis. Durante dois dias o grupo adorou juntos, compartilharam suas histórias sobre suas viagens anteriores, lutas atuais e alegrias, sonhos e futuro e visão. Todos os parceiros foram incentivados na medida que compartilharam sua fé comum em Deus e seu desejo de fortalecer a missão no Brasil e parcerias entre Brasil e EUA.

Nessa reunião foi decidido que o contato constante seria mantido e atualizações freqüentes seriam enviados a todos os parceiros eletronicamente. Isto será realizado através de boletins on-line, bem como neste blog Rede Brasil. Todos estão convidados a lerem o blog e a entrarem em contato com a Kacy Brubaker em kacyleighbrubaker@gmail.com com histórias e atualizações que desejarem incluir no boletim e no blog. Este blog serve ambos os parceiros de fala inglês e do português. (pedindo perdão pelos erros na gramática e ortografia Português!).