Trans Evangelism Week in Santos

This past week we worked with Igreja Batista Areia Branca and various other churches in a government housing project for poor people and in the surrounding neighborhood in Santos. Approx. 35 people from the various churches participated on the team during the week, as well as several people in the church who made lunch for everyone each day. The entire Mega Trans project during the month of July was held in 500 cities in every state of Brazil.

On Monday and Tuesday we visited apartments in the complex to share Jesus, and also to offer home Bible studies for the families. From Wednesday through Friday we moved to the streets in the surrounding neighborhood and we had many opportunities to share Jesus and help and encourage people in their walk with God. We met a wide variety of people from various religious backgrounds. We met various people who practice the Spiritist religion here, and many of them believe that Jesus already lives in their hearts when they are born and that they do not need to repent from their sins and invite & receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

Many people were open to hear the Gospel, and others were not. We praise God that more than 30 adults accepted Christ during the week, and also numerous children accepted Christ during some of the programs for children that the church held. There were also 20+ home Bible studies scheduled, and many many seeds of the Gospel were planted as well.

Mega Trans Project

All of this coming week we will be participating in a project called Mega Trans, which is designed to reach people for Jesus and start discipling them. The Trans part of the project name is short for Jesus Transforms. We will be working with Igreja Batista Areia Branca and other churches in Santos, helping them to visit homes in a government housing project for poor people to share Jesus, and also to share with people in the streets. There are other parts of the project that will focus on reaching children, as well as Bible studies and other activities. There will be a Mega Trans project going on in 90 cities in the state of Sao Paulo this week.

Nationwide in July there has already been or will be a Mega Trans in every state of Brazil, in approximately 500 cities. The national goal is to share Jesus with 2.5 million people, which is an incredible endeavor. May God bless and use this project to reach many people for Jesus, and may many lives be wonderfully transformed by Jesus. Here are some photos of the Trans project in another state earlier this month:

One Thing

"We tend to say that because a person has natural ability, he will make a good Christian. It is not a matter of our equipment, but a matter of our poverty; not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a matter of natural virtues, of strength of character, of knowledge, or of experience— all of that is of no avail in this concern... The most important aspect of Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the surrounding influence and qualities produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to give our attention to, and it is the one thing that is continually under attack." - Oswald Chambers



What would you say is the single most important requirement to being a fruitful and victorious follower of Christ ? The "one thing" that will make the difference in your service for the Lord and produce greater fruit ? Education ? Training ? Experience ? Zeal ? Trying your very best for the Lord ? More prayer support ? All of these things can be very helpful and are important, but the "one thing" that is absolutely vital to being fruitful is your fellowship with the Lord. Many people place their ministry for the Lord as the top priority and emphasis in their lives, and they end up leaving no time for fellowship with the Lord Jesus, who is our Source of power and victory and fruitfulness. No matter how hard we try, and no matter how zealous and passionate we are in ministry, we can do absolutely nothing without Jesus. We first need to have a passion for Jesus, and not just for doing things for Him.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5


"but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:42

30th Anniversary Trip

Our 30th anniversary will be in August, so to celebrate we took a special trip to Paris, Switzerland, Lake Como & Venice Italy. Because of our schedule, we are not able to travel in August, so we took the trip from June 18 to July 6, which is when schools here are out for winter break.

Here are some of the many photos we took. It was a fantastic trip, and we are very blessed and thankful to be able to have the opportunity to take such a nice trip.

Paris

Luzern, Switzerland

Lake Como, Italy

Venice, Italy