As part of his visit to South America, Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church headquarters, was in Manaus, capital of Amazonas, Brazil, on February 7 and 8, 2025.

The first place visited by the delegation, which also included the South American Division President, Stanley Arco, was the Northwest Mission Institute, founded in 2007.

In the Northwest Brazilian Union (UNoB), an administrative territory that in the geography of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's operations includes the states of Acre, Rondônia, Amazonas and Roraima, Wilson visited the facilities of the Igreja Que Navega (IQN), a project that has brought hope to isolated communities.

Through the work carried out by the initiative, 27 churches have been founded, and more than 1,400 people have been baptized since its beginning in 2017.

During the special program at the missionary base, the Institute's projects were presented, as well as the volunteers for 2025 who are already participating in the Immersion Project, in which young people study the English language throughout the year to respond to a cross-cultural calling. They also participate in activities to understand other cultures. 

In his message to them, Wilson thanked the volunteers on behalf of the nearly 23 million Adventists around the world.

“Thank you for allowing God to use each of you and for being part of the mission here in the Northwest, because Jesus is coming soon,” he said.

Currently, the Institute manages the Luzeiro boats, the Missions Save Lives Amazon, and 1 For Christ projects, in addition to supporting the One Year in Mission project and the Church That Sails. 

“There needs to be encouragement for young people to participate in missionary schools like this. Our dream is to have a mission school like this in every region,” said Arco.

A Place to be Happy 

On the morning of February 8, the Espaço Alpha Adventist church was inaugurated, founded in 2011 by around fifteen families. Located in one of the most exclusive areas of the capital of Amazonas, it was planned to reach people in the area, offering services based on the eight natural remedies as part of evangelization. 

With a focus on serving God and the local community, the church also stands out in the area of ​​missions, small groups, and ministries.

There are currently 37 active small groups, four of which are specifically for children. With this vision, Espaço Alpha seeks to be a community of love, relevant in transforming lives, which is why its description carries the approach “A place to be happy”.

“And this church as a center of influence will bless the residents of this neighborhood,” pointed out Sergio Alan Caxeta, president of the Adventist Church for the states of Acre, Rondônia, Amazonas, and Roraima.

Together in Mission 

Pedro Araújo, 11, has suffered from a rare disease that causes stiffness in his joints since childhood. Known as Congenital Multiple Arthrogryposis, the disease prevents him from walking, as it causes stiffness in his hips, knees and feet.

For months, his mother, Bianca Araújo, had been praying for a new wheelchair for her son, since his was rusty, had flat tires and was too slow to move, making the vehicle too heavy for the boy to move around in. It was under these circumstances that Bianca received a call from a friend telling her about a project that would donate new wheelchairs to children with physical disabilities. 

“This chair was a gift. An answer to a prayer that came at just the right time. Pedro’s classes start on Monday, and because of this, he will be able to go to school with more mobility. I don’t even have words to express my gratitude,” said the mother, moved. 

Just like Pedro, 19 other low-income boys and girls were given new wheelchairs on Saturday during the "Together in Mission" event that brought together around 8,000 members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the city of Manaus.

The Wilson couple and their children are the creators of the James Wilson Wright International Needful Children and Family Fund, which in partnership with the Adventist Ministry of Possibilities (APM) chose the city of Manaus to donate 20 wheelchairs. 

The project came about after the loss of the couple’s grandson, James Wilson, after whom the foundation is named.

“I believe that God has a purpose for every child on this Earth. Our James was a gift to our family, but unfortunately, he was born with an incurable disease and was almost eight years old when he rested in the Lord. This was the way my daughter and her husband found to make James’ life continue to have meaning,” Nancy Wilson explained to the audience, as she handed out the new chairs. 

“It moves me to see children being helped by this project. It comes from the United States, but it serves anywhere in the world and today, in a special way, it is helping boys and girls in Manaus. We are very grateful for this,” concluded Arco.

The families to benefit were chosen by the APM through prior registration and an assessment of the physical and financial needs of each family. Priority was given to children and youth under the age of 18.

“This action is very important for our community, as we are helping 20 families who would not be able to afford a new wheelchair, which would allow these children to move around - a basic human need,” highlighted Abdoval Cavalcanti, director of Possibility Ministry for the northwest region.

The event also included baptisms, praise, and thanksgiving. It was also marked by the presentation of new projects for the future of the Church in this region.

“Our goal is to thank God for the achievements and help members understand what we are going to do from now on, focusing mainly on spiritual gifts and the mission to save,” said Sergio Alan Caxeta, president of the Adventist Church in the northwest region of Brazil.

At the end of the agenda in the capital of Amazonas, the delegation accompanying Wilson visited the Manaus Adventist Hospital and continued on to the state of Espírito Santo.

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