By Clay Young
The pure and simple gospel of Jesus Christ is as powerful today as it was over 2,000 years ago when the first gospel sermon was preached. Many claim that people simply aren’t searching for a higher purpose and absolute truth any longer. Well, you would be hard pressed to convince the missionary team based in Recife, Brazil of that. Over the past 32 years the people of Northeast Brazil have proven time and time again that the message of the New Testament is not only appealing, but also has the power to transform lives.
In 1981, native Tennesseans, Randy and Kathy Short, along with two young sons, made the commitment to plant the first congregation of the church in Recife and the people were receptive to the gospel message. Over the next decade that newly planted church grew to a membership of over 250. Additionally Joe McKinney, Joe Jones and Mike Pruitt, along with others, were part of this mission team. The Shorts returned to the United States and began working and helping plant congregations in Missouri. The work was productive, but it wasn’t long before the Shorts knew they had truly left their hearts in Brazil. They realized they needed to return to the work, and to the people, they loved so dearly. So, in 1998 they moved back to Brazil with a lifetime commitment. But this time Short had a much bigger plan. After much thought and prayer, he decided that the only way to really reach Northeast Brazil, with over 54 million souls, was to begin a ministry training school. He knew that if he could train local, native men to teach and preach the gospel their efforts would be multiplied. With the support and oversight of the Bellevue church of Christ, in Nashville, Tennessee, Ebenezer Ministry Training School was born.
As of this writing there are 145 congregations in Northeast Brazil. This is in large part due to graduates of the school going out into small rural areas and establishing local churches. These men are to be commended for their faith and hard work, many times facing difficult situations with little income and support. They truly love the Lord and want to teach as many fellow Brazilians as possible. The missionary team now realizes that the Northeast region is on it’s way to becoming the Bible Belt of Brazil, much like our Bible Belt in the Southeastern region of the U. S.
Sometimes all it takes is a little vision, faith, prayer and a lot of caring for the lost for the church to not only grow but also thrive. Unfortunately many mission efforts or missionaries struggle to survive. Missionaries many times give up and return to their home congregations because of a lack of interest, or lack of support. But when faithful Christians show a love of others and commit themselves to making a difference, in spite of the odds, amazing things can happen. The apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 3:5-7 that “I planted, you watered, but God caused the increase.” If we really believe the inspired word, do our part, and allow God to cause the growth, we will see great things happen in the Kingdom and many souls will be saved.
Because of the success of the ministry training school, a new goal has been set forth. The decision has been made to transform the ministry training school into the first accredited Christian college in all of Latin America: Ebenezer Christian College. Brazilian men will be able to get a degree in Biblical Theology, so that they will be better equipped to present the gospel message to those who are seeking and searching for the truth. Short has sought out godly Brazilian men to serve as faculty in the current school. Nilton Barretto, Alvaro Pestana and Ricardo Sobral serve as the teaching staff along with Short. These men are highly qualified. The schools curriculum is comprehensive and includes New Testament Greek. They are all effective preachers and excellent Bible teachers, who relocated their families to Recife, and are thrilled at the goal of establishing a Christian college.
The Brazilian people are a wonderful, loving people. The culture is rich and opportunities for sharing the message of God’s Word abound. But, it takes a determination and tenacity to move forward to make sure anyone who has a desire to study the scriptures has that opportunity.
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If this is the type of mission success story that appeals to you, you can become a part of this worthy cause. Pray that the hearts of thousands in Northeast Brazil will continue to soften and many will obey the gospel. Support this amazing work with a contribution that will allow the dream of the first Christian college in Latin America to be established. Make a trip to Recife, Brazil and see first hand how a ministry team can work together to turn the world upside down for Christ. “How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’ “ Romans 10:15. Lives are being changed and souls are being saved in Northeast Brazil, all because of the power of the pure and simple gospel of Jesus Christ. Stateside contact: Clay Young, Development Director. Email: jclayyoung@mac.com.
