Living Bread Ministries
Planting Churches Among the Desperately Poor
Living Bread Ministries
The Poor and Needy Helping in Haiti
I received word today that our church plants among the extremely poor in Brazil have taken love offerings for the people in Haiti. Even though the members of these churches live in abject poverty they have been moved by reports of the devastation. As part of the body of Christ they have a burden to minister to the hurting. They know all to well what it is like to go without the basic necessities. I am so proud of them for raising the equivalent of $300 USD to aid in relief efforts in Haiti.
Their pastors have been discipling them and teaching them to look beyond their own need and consider others as more important than themselves. This act of kindness is evidence that by God's grace they are learning this important lesson. I am so proud of their kingdom mindset, therefore LBM is going to match their gift and send $600 to aid relief efforts in Haiti. Together, we are building the kingdom for the glory of Christ!
Their pastors have been discipling them and teaching them to look beyond their own need and consider others as more important than themselves. This act of kindness is evidence that by God's grace they are learning this important lesson. I am so proud of their kingdom mindset, therefore LBM is going to match their gift and send $600 to aid relief efforts in Haiti. Together, we are building the kingdom for the glory of Christ!
Vision for Church Planting Among the Poor and Needy
A couple of weeks ago I was asked to share on the topic of the call for church planting among the poor and needy. Which is of course our passion at Living Bread Ministries. Here is the message I preached at Eastpoint Community Church in Newark, Delaware. I hope you enjoy and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Download | Duration: 00:36:47
Share Christmas 2009 Recap
In Dec we celebrated
Christmas at our church plants, in part by celebrating our annual Share
Christmas event. This year we provided 500 young people with school
supplies and a hygiene kit. We provided the younger children with a
toy.
Children in Vila Safira Hearing the Gospel
Each church distributed these gifts at evangelistic services where the Gospel (the true meaning of Christmas) was shared. We had many new families introduced to the church plants and several people received Christ. By God's grace even a local elementary school principal came to now Christ.
To see pictures from Share Christmas 09 click here. Thanks to everyone who helped make this outreach possible. It will continue to bear fruit for the kingdom throughout the year.
Children in Vila Safira Hearing the Gospel
Each church distributed these gifts at evangelistic services where the Gospel (the true meaning of Christmas) was shared. We had many new families introduced to the church plants and several people received Christ. By God's grace even a local elementary school principal came to now Christ.
To see pictures from Share Christmas 09 click here. Thanks to everyone who helped make this outreach possible. It will continue to bear fruit for the kingdom throughout the year.
Summer Camp: An Opportunity to Be a Regular Kid
Every year we send a group of teens from our church plants to summer camp. This is a great opportunity for them to get out of the slum & spend time with other youth. For a week they get to be in a safe place and not have to worry about gangs, drug traffickers, hunger, and the many other hardships they face daily.
In order to attend camp we require that the kids pass the school year. In addition, they must save $3.00 a month all year, which is a huge contribution for them. This year we have 23 youth that have met these requirements. They have been collecting recyclables and selling crafts to raise money. Even with this savings they fall short of the funds needed. To supplement their efforts a sponsorship of $50 is needed for each teen to attend camp.
These young people are the future leaders of our church plants. Many of them are already serving in worship ministry and also help to teach younger children. Therefore, camp is an investment in the discipleship of future church leaders and will help us to build strong churches. Will you bless one of them and help to equip them for future ministry?
Go in Peace, Be Warmed and Filled
James said it well,"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace. be warmed and filled' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" (James 2:15-16) James taught that if your faith did not move you to respond with compassion to the poor and needy then your faith was dead! Can a dead faith lead to salvation? Better stated, can true salvation result in a dead faith?
Pastor Jocelito providing food and the Gospel of John for a single mom in Vila Safira
At LBM we take the many teachings in Scripture about ministering to the poor and needy very seriously. While each of our church plants boldly proclaims the Gospel, we are equally committed to ministering in tangible ways. We don't feed the hungry because they deserve it, but because Christ has given us a new heart that generally cares about them. We understand that apart from God's grace toward us we would be no better off physically and we realize that their extreme physical poverty is a picture of our own spiritual poverty before our holy God.
Would you consider joining us as we church plant among the poor and needy? We currently need ministry partners to provide $50 or even $25 per month to fund our church plant in Vila Safira.
At LBM we take the many teachings in Scripture about ministering to the poor and needy very seriously. While each of our church plants boldly proclaims the Gospel, we are equally committed to ministering in tangible ways. We don't feed the hungry because they deserve it, but because Christ has given us a new heart that generally cares about them. We understand that apart from God's grace toward us we would be no better off physically and we realize that their extreme physical poverty is a picture of our own spiritual poverty before our holy God.
Would you consider joining us as we church plant among the poor and needy? We currently need ministry partners to provide $50 or even $25 per month to fund our church plant in Vila Safira.
Local Author Supports LBM
This past Sunday Paul Watson, author of Protect, did a charity book signing at Living Word Baptist Church. He generously gave 100% of the proceeds to support LBM's various feeding ministries at our church plants among the poor in southern Brazil. This was a great blessing to us, as we have a short fall in funding these outreach ministries.
Paul is a very promising young writer and it is a blessing to see his desire that the Lord would use his ability to further His kingdom. We appreciate Paul's partnership in ministry and believe the Lord will bless his generous spirit, for the glory of Christ and the good of the Church. If you have any readers on your Christmas list I recommend Protect as great gift. To learn more about Paul and Protect visit his website.
Paul is a very promising young writer and it is a blessing to see his desire that the Lord would use his ability to further His kingdom. We appreciate Paul's partnership in ministry and believe the Lord will bless his generous spirit, for the glory of Christ and the good of the Church. If you have any readers on your Christmas list I recommend Protect as great gift. To learn more about Paul and Protect visit his website.
Share Christmas 2009: All the Children Are Sponsored
The Lord has graciously provided to meet our fund raising goal for Share Christmas 2009! During Christmas week each of our church plants will be distributing the gifts at evangelistic services. Please pray for these services. Pray that the Lord will begin preparing hearts and minds to receive the Gospel; that the word would fall on good soil.
We appreciate everyone that has given to this project. Seven churches and many individuals gave to make Share Christmas possible this year. We thank the Lord for each of you.
If you would like a picture CD and update of the gift distribution please contact us.
We appreciate everyone that has given to this project. Seven churches and many individuals gave to make Share Christmas possible this year. We thank the Lord for each of you.
If you would like a picture CD and update of the gift distribution please contact us.
A Family Transformed by the Power of the Gospel
Pamela and Milton live in Vila Safira. They began "dating" when Pamela was eleven. By age twelve Pamela had given birth to their first child. Now age 21, she is the mother of four children. She and Milton live together, but they are not married.
Through our church plant in Vila Safira, Pastor Jocelito and his wife (Luciane) have been reaching out to Pamela and her family. Several months ago she came to know the Lord, but because of her living situation has been unable to join the church. However, she has been attending new believer classes; learning what the Christian life is all about. In the process she was taught God's plan for her family. Of course Pamela was convicted about her situation, but Milton was not a believer and did not see the problem. This is very common specifically among the poor in Brazil.
Pastor Jocelito and Luciane (left) Milton and Pamela (right)
Rodrigo, Gabriela, Manuela, Lucia (left to right)
This left Pamela in a very bad situation. She knew that living with Milton outside of marriage was wrong. At the same time, what was a 21 y/o mother of four living in abject poverty to do? This is a very difficult situation in which many women in our churches find themselves. The church's response has been to love and encourage them, while at the same time holding them accountable. They exhibit grace while maintaining a standard of holiness.
Time and again we have seen the Lord work resulting in the salvation of the children and boyfriends of these women. This of course leads to marriage. I am excited to say that this is the case for Pamela and Milton, as well. Due to her witness and the witness of the church, he recently received Christ and is going through new believer classes. They have set their wedding date for March 28, 2010. This will be an extra special day because after their wedding they will both be baptized and join the church in Vila Safira.
What a great testimony of the grace of God! It is also a testimony that illustrates the importance of church planting especially among the poor and needy. We are literally seeing individuals, families, and whole communities being transformed by the power of the Gospel.
Through our church plant in Vila Safira, Pastor Jocelito and his wife (Luciane) have been reaching out to Pamela and her family. Several months ago she came to know the Lord, but because of her living situation has been unable to join the church. However, she has been attending new believer classes; learning what the Christian life is all about. In the process she was taught God's plan for her family. Of course Pamela was convicted about her situation, but Milton was not a believer and did not see the problem. This is very common specifically among the poor in Brazil.
Pastor Jocelito and Luciane (left) Milton and Pamela (right)
Rodrigo, Gabriela, Manuela, Lucia (left to right)
This left Pamela in a very bad situation. She knew that living with Milton outside of marriage was wrong. At the same time, what was a 21 y/o mother of four living in abject poverty to do? This is a very difficult situation in which many women in our churches find themselves. The church's response has been to love and encourage them, while at the same time holding them accountable. They exhibit grace while maintaining a standard of holiness.
Time and again we have seen the Lord work resulting in the salvation of the children and boyfriends of these women. This of course leads to marriage. I am excited to say that this is the case for Pamela and Milton, as well. Due to her witness and the witness of the church, he recently received Christ and is going through new believer classes. They have set their wedding date for March 28, 2010. This will be an extra special day because after their wedding they will both be baptized and join the church in Vila Safira.
What a great testimony of the grace of God! It is also a testimony that illustrates the importance of church planting especially among the poor and needy. We are literally seeing individuals, families, and whole communities being transformed by the power of the Gospel.
Transforming Communities by the Power of the Gospel
Each of our church plants is ministering to needs in their community. Our church plant in Bom Jesus is no different. Since April we have been providing food for several families in the community. The members of these families consists of thirty five people. Since, April eight of them have come to know Christ, been through several months of new believer classes, baptized and are actively serving in the church. They have become a testimony of grace in the community.
New Believers from Bom Jesus Prior to Baptism
During this time we have distributed over 2,000 lbs of food at this young church. However, the idea is not to just give them food, but by the grace of God and the power of the Gospel to equip them to provide for themselves. We have seen a great transformation in people's lives. Before, they were completely lacking a foundation; without hope and perspective. Now, they are experiencing God's mercy and grace daily; giving them dignity, restoring hope, and strengthening them physically to work. They have come to understand that they are image bearers of God created with a God ordained purpose. With this understanding they have the faith and confidence to begin building a life for themselves and their families.
The Lord has been good to us this year. I hope you will take a few moments to read our newsletter to learn other ways the Lord is blessing.
New Partnership to Plant Churches Among the Poor and Needy
November 11, 2009
I was on my way to a prayer meeting this morning when the Lord gave us a wonderful blessing. I recieved a call from Brian Mininger owner of Home Innovations. Brian and his family want to partner with LBM to continue the church plant in Vila Safira. Up to now we have not been able to raise the monthly support to fund this church and our exisiting resources have been used. Faced with the possibility of not being able to continue the work, we decided to spotlight this church plant at our annual International Dessert Reception.
Children Waiting to Eat After a Bible Study
Brian attended this event and was moved by what the Lord is doing, through this church, in the most dangerous community in Porto Alegre. The church is growing by conversion. People are being fed spiritually and physically. They are reaching out and making an impact in the severe drug problem in the community as well. The Lord is working and Brian and his family want to be a part of it.
We need to raise $920 per month to fund this church plant. Home Innovations has agreed to match any monthly supporters for the church in Vila Safira up to $460 per month. That means that we only need to raise $460 per month to fully fund this church plant! Would you prayerfully consider investing $30 or $50 per month to plant a church among the desperatley poor in Vila Safira? Home Innovations will match your investment to make sure that we can continue to reach one of the poorest and most dangerous communities in Porto Alegre, with the life transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ. This offer is only available for the next several weeks, so please pray that the Lord will raise up the partners we need to continue this work.
I was on my way to a prayer meeting this morning when the Lord gave us a wonderful blessing. I recieved a call from Brian Mininger owner of Home Innovations. Brian and his family want to partner with LBM to continue the church plant in Vila Safira. Up to now we have not been able to raise the monthly support to fund this church and our exisiting resources have been used. Faced with the possibility of not being able to continue the work, we decided to spotlight this church plant at our annual International Dessert Reception.
Children Waiting to Eat After a Bible Study
Brian attended this event and was moved by what the Lord is doing, through this church, in the most dangerous community in Porto Alegre. The church is growing by conversion. People are being fed spiritually and physically. They are reaching out and making an impact in the severe drug problem in the community as well. The Lord is working and Brian and his family want to be a part of it.
We need to raise $920 per month to fund this church plant. Home Innovations has agreed to match any monthly supporters for the church in Vila Safira up to $460 per month. That means that we only need to raise $460 per month to fully fund this church plant! Would you prayerfully consider investing $30 or $50 per month to plant a church among the desperatley poor in Vila Safira? Home Innovations will match your investment to make sure that we can continue to reach one of the poorest and most dangerous communities in Porto Alegre, with the life transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ. This offer is only available for the next several weeks, so please pray that the Lord will raise up the partners we need to continue this work.
If you have any questions please contact us.
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.