Help Us Plant a Church in Bom Jesus
May 25, 2009
Through our church plant in the community of Bom Jesus we are conducting outreach ministry to one of the neediest elementary schools in the neighborhood. This one school has 1,600 students enrolled. We are providing assistance to the students and their families. The students who receive assistance are selected by the school administration based on their financial needs, grade levels failed, and social problems. We are providing Biblical counseling, Bible studies, workshops in the arts and sports, and with our limited resources, we are providing assistance with food, clothing and school supplies.
A few weeks ago Pastor Bira was teaching a Bible study at the school and the question of who would use a gun, was raised. A 12 y/o boy in the 3rd grade stood up and, with much hatred in his face, said that he would. He was asked what he would use a gun for and with resolve he said “to rob people”. He spoke openly of having been consecrated in Umbanda (similar to voodoo). Later when Pastor Bira closed in prayer everyone but this young man was standing. He was on his knees with his hands over his head screaming: “get out, get out!”. The teacher and principal realized that this boy was in need of help.
The school that our church plant is ministering to.
Later they contacted Pastor Bira and his wife Barbara and asked them to come and meet with the boy again. During this time they learned that his mother had died when he was 3 and that he went to live with his grandparents and uncles. Last year he found his aunt and cousins laying on the floor in pools of blood, they had been killed with a knife by the aunt’s husband. This young boy was the first responder and had to seek help. Aside from this he is beaten on a regular basis by his stepmother. Pastor Bira has been keeping up with this boy and his family. They have been able to help him with school supplies and plan to visit his family to deliver a Food Kit.
This story is extreme, but don't be fooled. For many of the 1,600 kids in this school these are the realities they face on a regular basis. Growing up in the slums of a third world country is beyond anything we can image. The only hope these kids have is a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. This is why we are planting a church in Bom Jesus and equipping that church to minister to the needs of the children at this elementary school. The school has no resources and is eager for us to work together to help these kids. The Lord has moved the administration to give our church plant unprecedented access to the school, because they know we care for them and genuinely want to help them.
We need to raise $350 per month to fund our current expenses with the church plant in Bom Jesus. Can you help ensure that we are able to continue this work we began in faith? Just imagine 10 families giving $35 per month, or even 1 church or business giving $350 per month can ensure that the people of Bom Jesus have a Bible preaching local church that is ministering to needs at this school and throughout the community.
If you would like to help plant this church please click here.
Through our church plant in the community of Bom Jesus we are conducting outreach ministry to one of the neediest elementary schools in the neighborhood. This one school has 1,600 students enrolled. We are providing assistance to the students and their families. The students who receive assistance are selected by the school administration based on their financial needs, grade levels failed, and social problems. We are providing Biblical counseling, Bible studies, workshops in the arts and sports, and with our limited resources, we are providing assistance with food, clothing and school supplies.
A few weeks ago Pastor Bira was teaching a Bible study at the school and the question of who would use a gun, was raised. A 12 y/o boy in the 3rd grade stood up and, with much hatred in his face, said that he would. He was asked what he would use a gun for and with resolve he said “to rob people”. He spoke openly of having been consecrated in Umbanda (similar to voodoo). Later when Pastor Bira closed in prayer everyone but this young man was standing. He was on his knees with his hands over his head screaming: “get out, get out!”. The teacher and principal realized that this boy was in need of help.
Later they contacted Pastor Bira and his wife Barbara and asked them to come and meet with the boy again. During this time they learned that his mother had died when he was 3 and that he went to live with his grandparents and uncles. Last year he found his aunt and cousins laying on the floor in pools of blood, they had been killed with a knife by the aunt’s husband. This young boy was the first responder and had to seek help. Aside from this he is beaten on a regular basis by his stepmother. Pastor Bira has been keeping up with this boy and his family. They have been able to help him with school supplies and plan to visit his family to deliver a Food Kit.
This story is extreme, but don't be fooled. For many of the 1,600 kids in this school these are the realities they face on a regular basis. Growing up in the slums of a third world country is beyond anything we can image. The only hope these kids have is a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. This is why we are planting a church in Bom Jesus and equipping that church to minister to the needs of the children at this elementary school. The school has no resources and is eager for us to work together to help these kids. The Lord has moved the administration to give our church plant unprecedented access to the school, because they know we care for them and genuinely want to help them.
We need to raise $350 per month to fund our current expenses with the church plant in Bom Jesus. Can you help ensure that we are able to continue this work we began in faith? Just imagine 10 families giving $35 per month, or even 1 church or business giving $350 per month can ensure that the people of Bom Jesus have a Bible preaching local church that is ministering to needs at this school and throughout the community.
If you would like to help plant this church please click here.
Posted by Patrick at 5/1/2009 1:08 PM 
Categories: Praises, Testimonies
Tags: Jesus church planting Brazil missions poor and needy
Categories: Praises, Testimonies
Tags: Jesus church planting Brazil missions poor and needy
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