Living Bread Ministries
Planting Churches Among the Desperately Poor
Living Bread Ministries
Building the Church Among Women and Children
Our new church plant in Capao da Canoa has been doing well. The Lord is moving and many women and children have been visiting and getting involved. Pastor Lindomar has been doing a Bible study among the kids in the community and about 30 of them have been showing up regularly. It's a blessing to see this young church reaching young people for the glory of Christ.
Two girls from the church plant in Capao
To learn more about the church in Capao and see other testimonies please read our current newsletter. You will be blessed by how the Lord is moving among the poor and needy.
Two girls from the church plant in Capao
To learn more about the church in Capao and see other testimonies please read our current newsletter. You will be blessed by how the Lord is moving among the poor and needy.
The Forgotten People Group
There is a people group that consisted of about 15% of the world's population in 2001, making them as large as the Muslim and Hindu people groups. Estimates are that this group will double each decade! A large percentage of the people that make up this group are more receptive to the Gospel than both Muslims and Hindus and yet they have somehow fallen through the cracks of the church's global mission. In fact, there is typically not even a distinct strategy in place to evangelize them. At least, that is the premise of Viv Grigg in his book Cry of the Urban Poor .
According to Grigg the squatters among the urban poor in the majority world make up this people group. They share a common economic system and history. They have universal cultural and religious characteristics. However, being Animists they are generally more responsive to the Gospel than people who practice high religions; like Muslims and Hindus.
Why has one of the largest and most responsive people groups in the world fallen through the cracks of global evangelism? Part of the problem has been in the shift of mission focus. Areas like Latin America have been pronounced reached and resources have been diverted to other regions. However, in much of the majority world the small evangelical church that exists has no vision for reaching the slum dwellers. Limited resources are not allocated nor are workers sent into the slums. The reasons for this are many; of which financial, cultural, and class issues are just a few.
I want to be clear, in no way am I advocating a reduction in resources (financial or human) among the 10/40 window or the Muslim and Hindu people groups. We need more not less! However, can we not at the same time become advocates for 15% of the world's population, especially when they are generally more receptive? Shouldn't missions leaders, and prominent pastors who are so vocal on behalf of the nations work to develop and set in motion a comprehensive plan for reaching these people? Shouldn't we come alongside our brothers and sisters in the majority world and assist them in developing and implementing a plan to reach the urban squatters among their own people? This is exactly what LBM is doing. We have a plan in place and are actively working alongside our majority world brothers to plant churches among urban squatters.
According to Grigg the squatters among the urban poor in the majority world make up this people group. They share a common economic system and history. They have universal cultural and religious characteristics. However, being Animists they are generally more responsive to the Gospel than people who practice high religions; like Muslims and Hindus.
Why has one of the largest and most responsive people groups in the world fallen through the cracks of global evangelism? Part of the problem has been in the shift of mission focus. Areas like Latin America have been pronounced reached and resources have been diverted to other regions. However, in much of the majority world the small evangelical church that exists has no vision for reaching the slum dwellers. Limited resources are not allocated nor are workers sent into the slums. The reasons for this are many; of which financial, cultural, and class issues are just a few.
I want to be clear, in no way am I advocating a reduction in resources (financial or human) among the 10/40 window or the Muslim and Hindu people groups. We need more not less! However, can we not at the same time become advocates for 15% of the world's population, especially when they are generally more receptive? Shouldn't missions leaders, and prominent pastors who are so vocal on behalf of the nations work to develop and set in motion a comprehensive plan for reaching these people? Shouldn't we come alongside our brothers and sisters in the majority world and assist them in developing and implementing a plan to reach the urban squatters among their own people? This is exactly what LBM is doing. We have a plan in place and are actively working alongside our majority world brothers to plant churches among urban squatters.
All Things in Common
What was the early church really doing in Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-37? Were they experimenting with some early form of communism? Was this a failed experiment that led to the poverty of the church in Jerusalem? These are very important questions that need to be answered in order that we can better understand these passages and apply them to our lives.
First, to the question of communism the answer is a resounding no. The early church was not compelled by force to give their possessions. There was no mandatory redistribution of wealth. This is made clear in Acts5:3-5. Ananias' sin was not that he desired to keep some of the proceeds from the land he sold, but that he lied to God. Peter said that the land was Ananias' to do with as he pleased, as were the proceeds from the sale. So, clearly accepting Christ did not mean the immediate relinquishing of personal property.
Second, to the question of this being a failed experiment the answer also is no. In both sections Luke very clearly presents this behavior in a positive light, and nowhere in scripture is it ever presented differently. Luke goes out of his way to include both of these sections because they were commendable practices. Luke also equates these practices with the church having God given favor among all people.
Further, there is ample reasons to account for the poverty in the Jerusalem church without blaming their willingness to sacrificially share their resources with the needy among them. In general the majority of the population was poor. By professing Christ they likely severed themselves from the traditional Jewish forms of charity. The church was persecuted (Acts 8:1). There was a famine in all the land and it affected the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:28-30).
What we see in these passages is simply the church living out the commands of scripture and the teachings of Christ. It is interesting that Luke points out that there were no needy people left among the early church (Acts 4:34-36). This is exactly what the community of God's people should look like. In Dt 15 Moses told God's people that if they would obey the law, specifically the canceling of debts in the Sabbath year, there would be no poor among them (Dt. 15:4-5) Although it was never realized in the nation of Israel (because they did not observe the Sabbath Year) it was realized in the early church.
The Lord Jesus taught on this topic in many places. One significant teaching found in Luke 12 is that seeking the Kingdom of God means selling your possessions and investing in the kingdom. For more on this see The Father Desires to Give You the Kingdom. While other biblical writers are dated after Acts 2 and 4 we see that their teachings do not contradict this practice either. See 2 Cor 8:1-15 and 1 John 3:16-18 for two good examples.
So, how is the church to apply these passages today? They do not indicate a method that we must legalistically duplicate. However, we are called to live in obedience to the very same teachings that led the early church to this practice. These passages teach us that as believers we are to live simple lives set apart for the glory of Christ and the advancement of his kingdom. When we do this God gives us great grace and favor among the lost world around us. What that simple life looks like is between you and the Holy Spirit, but to be sure it does not look like the American dream.
First, to the question of communism the answer is a resounding no. The early church was not compelled by force to give their possessions. There was no mandatory redistribution of wealth. This is made clear in Acts5:3-5. Ananias' sin was not that he desired to keep some of the proceeds from the land he sold, but that he lied to God. Peter said that the land was Ananias' to do with as he pleased, as were the proceeds from the sale. So, clearly accepting Christ did not mean the immediate relinquishing of personal property.
Second, to the question of this being a failed experiment the answer also is no. In both sections Luke very clearly presents this behavior in a positive light, and nowhere in scripture is it ever presented differently. Luke goes out of his way to include both of these sections because they were commendable practices. Luke also equates these practices with the church having God given favor among all people.
Further, there is ample reasons to account for the poverty in the Jerusalem church without blaming their willingness to sacrificially share their resources with the needy among them. In general the majority of the population was poor. By professing Christ they likely severed themselves from the traditional Jewish forms of charity. The church was persecuted (Acts 8:1). There was a famine in all the land and it affected the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:28-30).
What we see in these passages is simply the church living out the commands of scripture and the teachings of Christ. It is interesting that Luke points out that there were no needy people left among the early church (Acts 4:34-36). This is exactly what the community of God's people should look like. In Dt 15 Moses told God's people that if they would obey the law, specifically the canceling of debts in the Sabbath year, there would be no poor among them (Dt. 15:4-5) Although it was never realized in the nation of Israel (because they did not observe the Sabbath Year) it was realized in the early church.
The Lord Jesus taught on this topic in many places. One significant teaching found in Luke 12 is that seeking the Kingdom of God means selling your possessions and investing in the kingdom. For more on this see The Father Desires to Give You the Kingdom. While other biblical writers are dated after Acts 2 and 4 we see that their teachings do not contradict this practice either. See 2 Cor 8:1-15 and 1 John 3:16-18 for two good examples.
So, how is the church to apply these passages today? They do not indicate a method that we must legalistically duplicate. However, we are called to live in obedience to the very same teachings that led the early church to this practice. These passages teach us that as believers we are to live simple lives set apart for the glory of Christ and the advancement of his kingdom. When we do this God gives us great grace and favor among the lost world around us. What that simple life looks like is between you and the Holy Spirit, but to be sure it does not look like the American dream.
The Father Desires to Give You the Kingdom
I have been studying Luke 12:13-34 this week and thought I would share some of my thoughts on this passage. While teaching, Jesus was interrupted by a man who clearly was not interested in what the Lord was saying. He only wanted Jesus to settle a dispute over a will and by "settle a dispute" I mean rule in his favor. Jesus refused to get involved in that struggle preferring to deal with the heart issue that was causing it.
Jesus knew that the problem was that these brothers were both coveting; desiring more than they had. He told the parable of the rich fool to the crowd. He was a man who was oblivious to the needs around him and chose to selfishly hoard the Lord's blessings. Jesus said that his soul would be required of him and that all he had saved would be lost. This is the lot for all who store up treasure for themselves and are not rich toward God. It is good to plan for the future but hoarding due to a lack of faith is sinful. There is a fine line between the two.
Jesus turns his attention to his disciples; those who had called him Lord and were seeking to follow him. While the man in the parable was worried about what to do with his abundance; Jesus knew that his disciples were concerned over their livelihoods. He instructed them not to worry about materiel needs. In other words, not to covet. Worrying reveals a covetous heart that is not content with what the Lord has provided.
Jesus gives them three reasons not to worry. The first is that there is more to life than material goods. The rich fool mistakenly believed that his wealth would bring him happiness and safety. It brought neither. The second reason is that there is no benefit to worrying. We cannot add a single minute to our lives by worrying; in fact doctors tell us the opposite is true. Finally, the third reason not to worry is that the nations are characterized by worry. The lost world must worry, but the children of God, whose loving father is the creator and sustainer of all things, have no reason to. In a world filled with turmoil a confident church is a wonderful witness.
The Lord gives his followers an alternative to worry. He challenges the disciples to seek the kingdom with confidence; knowing that the Father desires to give it to his children. He tells them to sell their possessions and give to the needy. This is the opposite of what the rich fool did. While we cannot stretch this command and say a Christian must sell all of his possessions, we dare not minimize it either. Jesus clearly connects being rich toward God and seeking the kingdom with giving sacrificially to the poor.
As a new believer I understood seeking the kingdom to mean praying, reading the Bible, and witnessing. Undoubtedly, all of these are included, however I have come to understand that more is involved. Seeking the kingdom involves living a simple life and investing the resources God has given in order to advance his kingdom. The lost world is marked by a concern about material possessions. The church is to be marked by simple lives spent investing in the kingdom and trusting the future into the hands of sovereign God. If he cares for birds and flowers surely he will care for his own children who seek to live according to his will.
Jesus knew that the problem was that these brothers were both coveting; desiring more than they had. He told the parable of the rich fool to the crowd. He was a man who was oblivious to the needs around him and chose to selfishly hoard the Lord's blessings. Jesus said that his soul would be required of him and that all he had saved would be lost. This is the lot for all who store up treasure for themselves and are not rich toward God. It is good to plan for the future but hoarding due to a lack of faith is sinful. There is a fine line between the two.
Jesus turns his attention to his disciples; those who had called him Lord and were seeking to follow him. While the man in the parable was worried about what to do with his abundance; Jesus knew that his disciples were concerned over their livelihoods. He instructed them not to worry about materiel needs. In other words, not to covet. Worrying reveals a covetous heart that is not content with what the Lord has provided.
Jesus gives them three reasons not to worry. The first is that there is more to life than material goods. The rich fool mistakenly believed that his wealth would bring him happiness and safety. It brought neither. The second reason is that there is no benefit to worrying. We cannot add a single minute to our lives by worrying; in fact doctors tell us the opposite is true. Finally, the third reason not to worry is that the nations are characterized by worry. The lost world must worry, but the children of God, whose loving father is the creator and sustainer of all things, have no reason to. In a world filled with turmoil a confident church is a wonderful witness.
The Lord gives his followers an alternative to worry. He challenges the disciples to seek the kingdom with confidence; knowing that the Father desires to give it to his children. He tells them to sell their possessions and give to the needy. This is the opposite of what the rich fool did. While we cannot stretch this command and say a Christian must sell all of his possessions, we dare not minimize it either. Jesus clearly connects being rich toward God and seeking the kingdom with giving sacrificially to the poor.
As a new believer I understood seeking the kingdom to mean praying, reading the Bible, and witnessing. Undoubtedly, all of these are included, however I have come to understand that more is involved. Seeking the kingdom involves living a simple life and investing the resources God has given in order to advance his kingdom. The lost world is marked by a concern about material possessions. The church is to be marked by simple lives spent investing in the kingdom and trusting the future into the hands of sovereign God. If he cares for birds and flowers surely he will care for his own children who seek to live according to his will.
Robbery at the Church
We have been planting churches among the desperately poor for over 5 years now and to this point have never had a problem even though we are working in very dangerous communities. Sadly, that streak was broken last week when our church plant in Vila Nova was broken into. Several musical instruments and sound equipment were stolen. Most of the instruments were the personal property of the pastor and his family. They had sacrificed over the years in order to buy them. As you can imagine this is a huge financial blow to both the church and the pastors family.
In addition, the church now has the expense of adding some extra fencing for security and repairing the damage from the break in. Certainly, this is a minor set back for the advancement of the kingdom in this community. The enemy cannot stop the church from breaking down the strongholds in Vila Nova so he must resort to trying to discourage the workers. Please pray for them. I know this attack will be difficult for them especially as they gather this week for worship.
If you would like to help with the cost to replace the items that were stolen and/or install the new security fencing please click the link below.
In addition, the church now has the expense of adding some extra fencing for security and repairing the damage from the break in. Certainly, this is a minor set back for the advancement of the kingdom in this community. The enemy cannot stop the church from breaking down the strongholds in Vila Nova so he must resort to trying to discourage the workers. Please pray for them. I know this attack will be difficult for them especially as they gather this week for worship.
If you would like to help with the cost to replace the items that were stolen and/or install the new security fencing please click the link below.
Testimony of a Former Spiritist
Below is a video of a testimony shared by a member of one of our church plants among the poor and needy. It is a phenominal story of God's grace. Please take a few moments to view the video; it will be a blessing.
Baptisms, Souls Saved, and Communion
We closed out our last day in Brazil with a great celebration. Pastor Magioli baptized 4 people from his church and Pastor Jocelito baptized 3 from Vila Safira. These were the first 3 baptisms since beginning the church in Vila Safira last year. These people clearly represent the transforming power of the gospel. Two of the members from Vila Safira are a young man and woman who have been discipled and gotten married. They are now building a godly home for their young daughter. A woman from Pastor Magioli's church who was baptized was the only believer in her family, until later that night when her daughter received Christ! What a glorious day for that family.
The people from Vila Nova and Vila Safira that were baptized.
After, the baptisms the gospel was preached and and 4 young people received Christ. After rejoicing in worship we observed the Lord's Supper. It was a great night filled with clear presentations of the gospel of God's grace. It was truly a great way to end a STM trip that including LBM launching our 6th church plant and ordaining a man of God from one of our existing church plants.
If you are interested in future STM trips, would like to learn more about LBM, or begin investing in church planting among the poor and needy please contact us at info@livingbread.org.
The people from Vila Nova and Vila Safira that were baptized.
After, the baptisms the gospel was preached and and 4 young people received Christ. After rejoicing in worship we observed the Lord's Supper. It was a great night filled with clear presentations of the gospel of God's grace. It was truly a great way to end a STM trip that including LBM launching our 6th church plant and ordaining a man of God from one of our existing church plants.
If you are interested in future STM trips, would like to learn more about LBM, or begin investing in church planting among the poor and needy please contact us at info@livingbread.org.
The Gospel is Advancing Among the Poor
Thursday night we visited the community of Vila Safira. We began a church plant there last spring. It was a blessing to see the impact this young church is having on the area. Vila Safira is the most dangerous community in Porto Alegre in part due to a severe crack cocaine problem. However, there is a little church that is a flickering light in this very dark place. We spent the evening worshiping with them.
We heard stories of how the gospel has led to people being delivered from crack addiction, of families being established, and other families being reconciled. We saw the hungry being feed, the sick being cared for, and children being given a safe little corner in this neighborhood that they might come and play without fear. This is the advancement of the Kingdom of God in Vila Safira and it will continue until Christ returns to establish it in its fullness.
Our group praying in the home of a family in Vila Safira
Tonight we will ordain the pastor of the church plant in Vila Safira and tomorrow we will have the first baptism service in this young church's history. What an exciting time it will be. Please pray for these services, that Christ would be exalted. Also, pray for our team. Short term missions often is very ineffective in leading to long term change in the lives of those who go. To often people go on a trip like this only to return home and settle back into their routine and their lives have no more impact for the Kingdom than before. I pray this will not be the case. It is my deepest hope that our team members will go home changed; with a better understanding of the body of Christ and their need to minister to the poor and needy in that body.
We heard stories of how the gospel has led to people being delivered from crack addiction, of families being established, and other families being reconciled. We saw the hungry being feed, the sick being cared for, and children being given a safe little corner in this neighborhood that they might come and play without fear. This is the advancement of the Kingdom of God in Vila Safira and it will continue until Christ returns to establish it in its fullness.
Our group praying in the home of a family in Vila Safira
Tonight we will ordain the pastor of the church plant in Vila Safira and tomorrow we will have the first baptism service in this young church's history. What an exciting time it will be. Please pray for these services, that Christ would be exalted. Also, pray for our team. Short term missions often is very ineffective in leading to long term change in the lives of those who go. To often people go on a trip like this only to return home and settle back into their routine and their lives have no more impact for the Kingdom than before. I pray this will not be the case. It is my deepest hope that our team members will go home changed; with a better understanding of the body of Christ and their need to minister to the poor and needy in that body.
Broken by Poverty
The past two days I have been very humbled by the severe poverty we have seen. I have seen much suffering since beginning LBM, but these cases were especially bad. Not that they were the worst possible conditions, but that seeing my brothers and sisters in Christ suffer is especially difficult. A couple of evenings ago a small group of us delivered the food kits from Vila Nova to some of the elderly women in the church.
One of which was Tereza. She had a massive stroke over a year ago and has lost the use of the right side of her body. She cannot speak, and just lies in bed all day. She lives with her children who are not believers. The house is filthy and overcrowded, and she has a stick on her bed to keep the rats away. While there we prayed for her and she held her Bible up to Pastor Magioli to read God's word. A 16 y/o girl who was with us commented that she knew the gospel was real because of the peace and tranquility visible in the face of this dear women. Even so, it is hard to see a child of the King ending her days like this.
Family in Campo Novo
Yesterday, we visited Campo Novo and Vila Nova. We went into the home of some lost people who benefit from the church's feeding ministry. While maybe not the worst housing I have seen it was humbling to see the hopelessness they are living in. To hear the woman say she wants to go to church, but her boyfriend beats her if she does was heartbreaking. To see three generations living in filth with barely a roof over them, was more than I could bear. As the group spoke with them I stood in the back and fought back the tears. Earlier in the week I had agonized in prayer that these women would respond to the preaching of the gospel, but they did not. They are bound by poverty and despair, and unless the Lord intervenes they will stay that way.
Please continue to pray for us as we are going to the most dangerous neighborhood in the city today.
One of which was Tereza. She had a massive stroke over a year ago and has lost the use of the right side of her body. She cannot speak, and just lies in bed all day. She lives with her children who are not believers. The house is filthy and overcrowded, and she has a stick on her bed to keep the rats away. While there we prayed for her and she held her Bible up to Pastor Magioli to read God's word. A 16 y/o girl who was with us commented that she knew the gospel was real because of the peace and tranquility visible in the face of this dear women. Even so, it is hard to see a child of the King ending her days like this.
Family in Campo Novo
Yesterday, we visited Campo Novo and Vila Nova. We went into the home of some lost people who benefit from the church's feeding ministry. While maybe not the worst housing I have seen it was humbling to see the hopelessness they are living in. To hear the woman say she wants to go to church, but her boyfriend beats her if she does was heartbreaking. To see three generations living in filth with barely a roof over them, was more than I could bear. As the group spoke with them I stood in the back and fought back the tears. Earlier in the week I had agonized in prayer that these women would respond to the preaching of the gospel, but they did not. They are bound by poverty and despair, and unless the Lord intervenes they will stay that way.
Please continue to pray for us as we are going to the most dangerous neighborhood in the city today.
The Hands and Feet of Christ
Usually when we think about the hands and feet of Christ, we think of nail piercings. While this is an important element of of the gospel story, that Jesus was nailed to a cross on our behalf, there is also another way of thinking about the hands and feet of Christ. As the apostle Paul was writing to the church in Corinth he reminded them that as members of the "body of Christ" they have been given spiritual gifts which could be symbolically associated with the physical body. In other words, in the body of Christ, some of us serve as His hands and some of us serve as His feet and some of us serve as His eyes and some of us serve as His........armpits. I hope I'm not one of those! Anyway, one other angle in which to think about the hands and feet of Christ is in the way that our team is ministering to the poor and downcast here in Porto Alegre this week. Jesus is using us as if we were His feet, walking into the favelas (slums) where most Americanos have absolutely no desire to go. Jesus is using us as if we were His hands, hugging and holding these precious souls for whom Christ died. It is a privilege to be able to minister in the name of Christ here in Brazil this week. We are blessed to be able to serve alongside of some of God's holy commandos here in Porto Alegre. The pastors and their wives who have devoted their lives to reaching out to the poorest of the poor in this beautiful city. No doubt, their rewards in heaven will be great. I hope that one day I can attain to the type of faith that they put on display day in and day out, trusting God to supply for the needs of their churches!
Post written by Pastor Thomas Loman
Post written by Pastor Thomas Loman
Bio
Living Bread Ministries exists to be used by the Holy Spirit to create worshipers of Jesus Christ among the desperately poor of Latin America. To accomplish this we are planting churches among the poor and equipping those churches to minister to their community for the glory of Christ.