June 16, 2009

Dear praying friends,

            The Lord is gracious and has blessed our ministry in the midst of these difficult last days. We praise the Lord for helping our financial support to not experience a big hit during this recession. The funds have come in a little lower, but God has helped us in our budgeting. We are unable to do as much as we'd like, but praise the Lord the work is still going forward in the most important areas: soul winning and discipleship. Please pray for us that we have wisdom as good stewards of the Lord's work and funds here in Southern Brazil.
            Five weeks ago John started a Wednesday night study on Personal Evangelism, teaching the people the reason we must go out to win souls, and how to go about it. A question was raised by one of the members as to the reason we would need to try witnessing to those who go to Pentecostal and "evangelical" churches. The response to the question is that most do not explain at all on the vicarious death of Christ and His resurrection, nor do they impel people to repent and personally receive Christ as their Savior. Nearly all do not understand eternal life, nor eternal security. An example of this was experienced by one of our youth, Andrew. His mother has been attending a church called the Evangelical Christian Church of Brazil for about ten years. The other day he asked her if she has received Christ as her Savior, and she had no clue as to what he was talking about. He has since got her to start the free Bible correspondence course that we offer.
            Speaking of the Bible course and evangelism, we are beginning a new outreach program. The ministry is home Bible studies. We start off with an 18 minute video about salvation in Christ, and then discuss it. The Bible studies used after that are Source of Light Bible correspondence courses. This week the first meeting is to take place in the home of an unsaved couple, Chico and Olivia. They have already visited the church for Men's and Ladies' meetings. The Nunes family, faithful members of our church and friends of the couple, will be heading this first one up. Clademir's oldest son, Douglas (22 yrs old), will actually lead the group, as he has a great understanding of salvation and on top of that is called to the ministry. Please pray for this new outreach program we're starting. We not only have the goal to see Chico and his family saved, but to also get them baptized and united with the church. Please be in prayer also for Douglas, as he has plans to go to Bible seminary at the beginning of 2010.
            At the end of May we had two souls receive Christ as their Savior. One was an adolescent girl by the name of Dianafer, and the other a 30 year old single man by the name of Geferson. Dianafer, at home one night after services, made a profession of faith on her own. Please pray for her, as no one else in her home is a born again believer. Geferson made his profession of faith at our house, after watching the video we will be using at our home Bible studies. Geferson also needs prayer, especially that he would make time for the Lord and church. He is a very busy businessman, who is also engaged to an unsaved young lady by the name of Sabrina. Please also pray for her salvation.

A summary of our prayer requests are as follows: