March 26, 2008

I asked Dr. Scott Phillips who was part of the team that just returned from Brazil to comment on the trip and Living Bread Ministries.  His thoughts are posted below.  Patrick Hubbard

        I have always been a firm believer in the local church and have often said that if the church was doing its job the way it ought to there would be no need for the government to offer welfare programs to care for the needs of the poor (Acts 4:32-37).  I have now had the privilege of witnessing this truth firsthand in the 3 churches in Brazil that Living Bread has partnered with.  1 John 3:14-18 tells us that if we love God we will naturally want to love people and show that love in tangible acts of compassion.  It was a joy to see what God is doing in these communities and in the lives of the people that are being transformed into new creations of God.  I thank God for the small part He allowed me to have in encouraging the 3 Pastors—let’s continue to pray for them as the work is often hard and the fruit of their labors is sometimes a long time coming.  I can’t wait until the next time I visit them!  It was also a joy to see a lady who we visited in her home (and prayed for) come to the final service on Saturday because she was one of the eight who came forward to receive Jesus as Savior!  To God be the glory!