Inácio José da Silva owns a refrigeration company in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, and has been working in the area for 25 years. Better known as “Dr. Frio,” he is part of the Federation of Adventist Entrepreneurs (FE) and, like the other members, has a mission to help people in social vulnerability. Even with his busy routine, he reserves time to give a free technical course in domestic refrigeration to unemployed members of the Adventist Church and the local community who cannot afford the training, which costs more than R$3,000 (approx. US$600).

Professional certification significantly increases the chances of employment and gives many people the opportunity to boost their careers. Installation and repair services for air conditioners, refrigerators, and other electrical appliances are always in high demand due to the typical hot climate in the northeast. During his classes, Dr. Frio spends at least one hour studying the Bible and praying with his class of 35 students.

The entrepreneur had the idea of offering the course when he realized many Adventists were unemployed, usually because they didn't work on Saturdays. In almost ten years of the project, more than 500 people have graduated and earned the title “refrigeration technician.” "Many people wouldn't be able to afford a refrigeration course because of the high fees charged at technical schools. I'm very happy to be able to provide it free of charge," Dr. Frio says.

Renato Araújo, FE president in Brazil, recognizes the work done by the businessman. "God has called many people to go beyond their daily routines as helping hands to His children in need. Dr. Frio accepted this invitation, and he has been a blessing," he says with thankfulness.

Dr. Frio's day starts early. He is already at his refrigeration company at 7:30 a.m. "I service helicopters for the Federal Police and the Pernambuco Military Police, as well as boats, speedboats, and ships," he says. The course takes place twice a year in different towns in the interior of Pernambuco, where the local Adventist church provides space for the classes. It lasts three months, with 100 hours of lessons divided between theory and practice.

Dr. Frio says that several times, he has been asked by friends about the curious fact that he is helping to train professionals in the same field in which he works, as they may be his competitors in the future. "I've never worried about that, and I'm happy to be able to train more professionals. In fact, many of my students have already started refrigeration companies and are well established in the job market. This has never affected me economically," he says.

Lives Transformed

The businessman always had the dream of becoming a pastor in the Adventist Church. He now has the opportunity, through the course, to be a different kind of pastor—one who brings the message of the Bible to hundreds of people using his professional knowledge first. More than 80 people have already been baptized and had their professional and spiritual lives transformed; they no longer work on Saturdays and are leaders in the Adventist Church.

Gabriel Vieira de Souza took the course six months ago at the Adventist College in Caruaru, and at just 20 years old, he is already reaping the rewards of his training. "I'm opening my refrigeration company in Gravatá, Pernambuco. The course helped me to be recognized in the job market, as well as in my spiritual life. I was rebaptized in the church, and now I live much better than before, thanks to God," he emphasizes.

Dr. Frio always hears from his former students and is very happy to hear that many have started their own businesses or work for large companies in the refrigeration sector and are able to support their families. "God has blessed me, and I'm very happy with what I do," says the entrepreneur.

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.