The Disciple Mission project, led by Leandro Lemoes, has stood out in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, as a revolutionary initiative for teenagers in Adventist churches. With 15 years of experience working with young people, Lemoes has created a program that develops teenagers' skills, strengthens community ties, and promotes a deep connection between different churches.

The initiative enables teens to travel to different cities to carry out missionary projects and participate in programs in Adventist churches. The group is taken by bus for a Saturday full of activities.

Organizing a Service Day

Before each trip, Lemoes coordinates with the leadership of the church to be visited, organizing all the details of the program. According to him, each teenager is assigned to a specific role according to their talents, such as music, reception, preaching, Sabbath school, praise, and media. This division takes place on Saturday morning and ensures that all areas of the program are covered efficiently.

In the afternoon, the group dedicates itself to mission activities, which are planned according to the region's needs. This community work allows the teenagers to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world environment and contribute to local causes.

After a day of intense activities, the group participates in a sunset service, where they share testimonies about their experiences. The project ends with a moment of relaxation when everyone gathers for a meal and conversation. This leisure time is essential for building friendships and strengthening team spirit among the participants.

To date, the Disciple Mission project has held more than 10 meetings, leaving a positive mark on both the teenagers and the communities visited. The young participants can develop their skills in a collaborative environment, while the local churches receive a boost of energy and engagement. The interaction between the teenagers from the host church and those from the visited church helps to create a network of support and friendship that lasts beyond the events.

The Motivation Behind the Project

Lemoes explains that the Disciple Mission project was born out of a perceived need when his own teenagers began asking for more opportunities to apply their gifts and talents in the church. By responding to these requests, Lemoes created a platform that meets this need and expands the church’s impact.

Yasmim Carvalho is 16 years old, and her first mission as a disciple was last year in Rio Grande. She shares that her motivation is to learn the best way to serve Christ and tells how the outings have added lessons to her life: “The outing that had the biggest impact on me was the one in São Lourenço do Sul. We visited a nursing home in the afternoon and it was beautiful to see how happy they were to welcome us. I think that moment made me realize that we don’t just talk about Jesus in words, but also by caring for and bringing love to others,” concludes the Carvalho.

The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.