The first National Meeting of Student Literature Evangelist Leaders, held from September 12 to 15, 2024, brought together more than 300 participants at the Adventist Training Center (CTA) in Araçoiaba da Serra, in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. The event was attended by pastors who are leaders of this ministry and speakers from various parts of Brazil to reflect on the role of leadership.

The program was organized by the Institutes for the Development of Student Colporteurs (IDEC) from across the country, present at the Adventist College of the Amazon, Adventist College of Minas Gerais, Adventist College of Paraná, Adventist Institute Brazil Central, Adventist University Center of the Northeast, and Adventist University Center of São Paulo. In addition to helping young people enter higher education, this ministry plays a role in preaching the gospel through literature.

According to Adilson Morais, director of the Adventist Church’s Publishing Department at the South American Division, it has always been a dream to be able to unify leaders of Adventist higher education institutions with the goal of training a new generation of student colporteurs. “The importance of this event is to be able to bring everyone together in one place to exchange experiences and hear stories of dedication and miracles that God has performed,” he says.

Just as the meeting brought together experienced leaders to be trained, those who will have their first experience leading this ministry were also able to participate. Ana Carolina Costa, a student at the Adventist College of the Amazon, who was present from the beginning to the end of the event. “I feel very happy, privileged and honored that God gave me this opportunity, which has been fantastic because we are learning and seeing what God’s call to leadership is like,” she says enthusiastically.

Uniaene student Erika Priscila Silva has been leading her team for more than two campaigns (the name given to the period in which young people dedicate themselves to canvassing) and has participated in other meetings like this one, but always regionally and annually. “Canvassing changed my life completely. God transformed me, helped me to overcome my shyness and took me from Belém do Pará to impact lives,” she says.

A Different Program

During the four days of celebration, participants enjoyed moments of leisure, spirituality and reflection through lectures, seminars and an institutional tour at TV Novo Tempo , the UNASP Biblical Archaeology Museum and the Brazilian Publishing House (CPB). One of the highlights was the Communion ceremony, which, in addition to allowing reflection on the importance of this ministry, provided a true immersion for the participants, who dressed in accordance with biblical times.

Participants were also awarded by region and categories that varied between bronze, silver, gold, sapphire, emerald, and ruby.

Messengers of Hope

This recognition is not only for the results achieved, but mainly for the spiritual impact generated in each experience. Almir Marroni, director of the Publishing Department at the Adventist General Conference, says that colporteurs make a big difference in preaching the gospel. “Unlike the spoken word, which is heard and then quickly forgotten, books can be sought out, reread and studied for a longer period of time,” he says.

According to Marroni, there are now more than 16,000 student literature evangelists spread throughout the world. "There is a powerful combination in this ministry when using the spoken and written word through colporteur messengers," he emphasizes.

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