Bom Dia, Senhores e Senhoras! It is Saturday, noon, in the beautiful city of Montes Clares of Minas Gerais, Brasil. A gorgeous city situated in the mountains and blessed with crystal clear sky (hence, Montes Clares). It is in the north of the state of Minas, and possesses a population that is booming. Already the city exceeds 400,000 persons - and just a few years ago it was half this size.
So from here - from this city we will base our mission trip this year. A city of a new Baptist seminary supported by our Project 70 mission funds, which supplies pastors being trained to lead the churches being planted. Churches like ours - the ones Parkwayhills supports - which, by the way, is 16 churches now - all in the state of Minas and situated in our adopted region near Salinas.
But now, we have come to work with our newest church plant - a church begun by ParkwayHills and Pastor Jairo, himself, and situated in beautiful Montes Clares. A city dynamically changing, where less than 6% of its population call themselves evangelical, or know what it means to claim Christ as their 'personal' Saviour. So to this place we have come and it is of this place and mission you are praying.
When we arrived here last night, after traveling by plane and bus for some 30 hours, we held an evangelistic concert of contemporary music and preaching. This happened in an open field, near where the new church is meeting. My chosen text was from Luke 8, where Jesus told his disciples that "light" was not to be hid, but, instead, placed on a lamp-stand for all to see. I challenged those who did not know this LIGHT to let Christ - the LIGHT of the world - change their life forever. I asked all our missionaries - both Brasilian and American - to place this light, Jesus Himself, at the very front and center of everything they were about to do. Why? Because our confidence is in Him, I reminded - the 'One' who will bring all things into view and make all things known.
So today we have begun. Early up and early out. Children are everywhere. Our missionaries are working - and working hard. Young and old alike, they are bringing the light of Christ to Montes Clares. One team is here, with yet another just 120 kilometers away, in the village of Fruta de Leche (village of 'milk fruit')
So please - keep us in your prayers! Pray HIS LIGHT may be known, and... that it will shine.
Obrigado,
Pastor Sam
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