[Photo courtesy of the South American Division]

South America

Adventist work near environmental reserve results in church opening

With a strong desire to take to his neighbors the message that once touched his heart, João began five years of evangelization work in the Community of Palmito.

Brazil | Samuel Nunes

An invitation from a friend to study the Bible made all the difference in the life of João de Deus Silva. A retired Civil Policeman, he went through several paths in his life in search of something that would touch his heart and transform his life.

“I was a student at the [Seventh-day] Adventist School in Montes Claros, when there were only two classrooms, in the 70s. I had the opportunity to interact with Adventists, to know a little about their teachings. The little seed was kept in my heart. [As life went on],I felt restless because, despite having grown up in a home of another religion, and being part of religious movements and evangelism activities, I felt that something was not right” says João.

The search for answers to his concerns was constant, until, during an informal conversation with his neighbor, João da Mata, João de Deus started a series of Bible studies and was touched by the message of hope.

“I observed a different behavior in him. Da Mata behaved like a Christian in his dealings with others. He then asked me if I wanted to do a study of the word of God. I accepted right away and after completing the study, I had no doubts. Everything I learned fell in line with my [heart’s] yearnings. That's what I was looking for, and I didn't find it in any [other] denomination I had contact with”, assures João de Deus.

Carrying the message

With a strong desire to take the message that touched his heart to his neighbors, João de Deus started working with a group of Adventist volunteers, doing evangelism work in Palmito, a community 5km away from Montes Claros, where 150 families live.

The community is close to an important environmental reserve, the Lapa Grande State Park, which covers 15,000 hectares and from which 35% of the water supply in the city of Montes Claros comes. The church is located in the Park's buffer zone, and is very close to Serra do Sapucaia, one of the most traditional green areas in the city.

The beginning was challenging. João de Deus Silva, says that the first meeting, five years ago, was at his home which is in this community. He says that as the work continued, the group saw the need to look for a place to meet and facilitate access for people.

Together with the Association of Residents of the community, they managed to use one of the school's rooms for the meetings which are held on Fridays at 7:30 pm. The small group has grown and 31 people have been baptized so far. 

“After two and a half years we have a wonderful temple in the Palmito community, the work is just beginning, as it is up to us to bring many people to congregate, praise, and worship God. I had the invaluable help of several valued friends and brethren of the church, who interceded in favor of our goal of building a temple in this community. It's a dream come true”, celebrates João.

For Pastor Moisés Carvalho Jr., President of the Northern Mineira Mission, Administrative Headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the North and Northwest of MG, the feeling is one of gratitude to God for the inauguration of another church in the MLM territory. “The Adventist Church is the only one that is present in this community. It is an environment and a place of hope, where people can take their families and prepare for the return of Jesus”, emphasizes Pastor Moisés.

Pastor Luis Carlos Ribeiro, the Financial Administrator for the North Mineira Mission, emphasizes the importance of the Adventist presence in the community. He emphasizes that the place is comfortable and “it offers an opportunity for more people to know the message of hope”.

Purpose

For Pastor Elias Malaquias, Executive and Ministerial Secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the north and northwest regions of MG, a new church is important for the teaching of the sacred scriptures and has in its conception, a purpose to comfort people and strengthen them spiritually. He also emphasizes that the church helps the needy and afflicted.

“A new [church] is important everywhere, but especially in Palmito which didn't have a church until this one opened. [It is important to have] this space for worship and God”, emphasizes Malaquias.

Pastor Rone Ferreira, responsible for leading the inaugurated church, says the Adventist presence in the community is positive. The leader recalled that, in addition to being a source of hope, the construction of the church even generated jobs, as some people worked on the construction. “It is a strategic place, where the church can help in the generation of knowledge about life and [offer] spiritual guidance”, says the pastor.

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site

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