Church Spotlight

Post from an Interview with Pastor Assuerio

Community Church of Ameixas

The Community Church of Ameixas is the furthest inland Church plant for World Renewal Brazil. It is a good three hours away from the ministry headquarters (Alcance Brasil). This Church was originally started from outreaches by the Community Church of Carpina and the Community Church of Guadalajara.

The Town of Ameixas is a very poor place that is dominated mostly by the Catholic Church that emphasizes Mary worship. This has made it extremely difficult to reach the people of Ameixas with God’s love and they have a difficult time understanding a “personal” relationship with Christ.

Since Assuerio has come back from Africa about a year and a half ago, he has been ministering in this small town along with his wife, Miriam and two kids, Loriana and Tiago. This Church a few years back received a generous donation and they were able to purchase land for a permanent Church location. But, it wasn’t until this January that the dream of building the church was fulfilled, when a group of 50 Baptists from Rio de Janeiro drove up to help build the Church. With the financial help from the Community Churches in the US and from individuals the dream of a Church building became a reality.

There are a lot more Picture Here

The Church is still fairly small with about 30 people attending the main service, but the impact that Assuerio is having in the community is growing. Assuerio has 5 house Bile studies that lets him teach the gospel on a more one on one basis. The Churches main service is Saturday night and then on Sunday night they hold a Bible study. That study is split into two groups that meet every other Sunday. It is setup this way in order that the whole family can come study God’s word. One week the wife will come while the husband watches the kids and then the next week the husband will come. This works out really well in this poor community where they can’t pay someone to look after their young kids and the Church doesn’t have enough people to help watch the kids yet. Along with this Bible study there is small group Bible studies on Wednesday night and then a prayer meeting on Thursday night.

Last week Assuerio was talking about a young couple that was at one of the house bible studies when Assuerio was talking about creation and the beginning of sin. He also went into how Jesus paid the price for our sin. After the study was over the girl of 17 said with tears in her eyes that before this study she had never believed that God even existed. When Assuerio asked her what changed she responded by saying that something inside of her changed and she can see the truth now.

God is working in this community and has Assuerio here for a special purpose even though Assuerio’s heart is still yearning for Africa. He has expressed that no matter what he wants to do the will of God. He has prayed that if he isn’t suppose to go back to Africa that God take away the desire that is in his heart for that country. Assuerio still has that passion and desire in his heart for Africa and would like to head back there in 2010 Lord willing.

Quick summary of Assuerio’s Africa desire

In Mozambique Africa they speak Portuguese along with several tribal languages. Assuerio has always had a heart for these people and when he went to South Africa he made several really good contacts of strong Christians serving in Mozambique. His desire is to go to Mozambique and start a Community Church and also raise up leaders to start other Community Churches in that country.

If you feel lead to start supporting Assuerio and his family as they guide the town of Ameixas to the Lord and start to transition toward heading back to Africa near 2010 please send a check earmarked Assuerio-Brazil and make out to:

WORLD RENEWAL
P.O. Box 399
Greenfield, IN 46140

Happy Easter

It is Easter time and for Brazil that means a week off of school. The International School of Carpina had school on Monday and Tuesday but it really was one big Easter celebration. You can see all the fun here.
Also, Rachel Winzeler got a chance to sit down with the people involved with the Living Stones project at the Paudalho church. You can head over to her blog site and read about the needs of that ministry.

Trip Information

It’s that time again time to think and pray about summer mission trips to Brazil.
This year the medical/construction trip is July 3-11 cost of trip will be airline ticket plus $1300.

Come join us of the great adventure to Brazil.

Come to Brookville Road Community Church at:

12:15 PM March 16, 2008
for information and to sign up.

Need direction call Steven Turner at 317 840 1270

Tele & Christopher

Everybody likes cute baby pictures!

Gilson working on building the Scaffolding


Pastor Ricardo Silva received a generous donation of $500 and he is using that money to make scaffolding to rent out. Construction is all over the place in this region of Brazil and Ricardo has taken the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) and is putting it into practice by stretching that $500 to eventually bring in a lot more money. Since the US dollar is dropping in value things like this need to happen to stay at full support. Ricardo's goal is to make 100 scaffolding units. He is really close to his goal and is only lacking a bit more money.

If you would like to help with the purchase of the scaffolding material
please send a check earmarked Ricardo Silva scaffolding project to:
World Renewal Intl. PO BOX 399 Greenfield, IN 46140

Here is Ricardo's baby girl being cute Ricardo's wife Kattia is the one passing her

Ever expanding

The new school year has kicked off and the Alcance is full of young children and new teachers. There are 57 students this year with more to come in the next month. The International school has been a huge success these past 3 years and it just keeps getting bigger. With the popularity of the school, the ministry has been able to reach a whole new group of people. God's Word is truly being spread in creative ways.
Speaking of creative evangelism the Community Church of Acacias is starting a youth group program tonight and the main draw is going to be the Nintendo Wii video game system brought here by Jeff & Lindsay Turner. (This most likely is the only Nintendo Wii in northeast Brazil) Pray that God uses this as a great tool to bring young people to Christ. We have high hopes for this. David Moraes will be a big part of the youth group leadership. He was going to ask his father, Tele if they could start one and before he could ask, Tele came to him asking if he could help start a youth group program. Praise God!
Jeff & Lindsay Turner have arrive in Brazil safely and are starting to get more acclimated to begin back. Lindsay has already started teaching at the International school and Jeff is helping out at the school this year also. Jeff is also busy finishing the networking at the Alcance and getting better communication setup for a new website. Also, more blog posts should be coming a lot more frequently. (Maybe I should stop talking about myself in 3rd person too)
I will try to update the Google Map of the Churches with more up to date Prayer requests.

Post By Jeff Turner

Dear Friends and Supporters of World Renewal Brazil,

What a crazy, but awesome year of watching God work saving lives, growing disciples, teaching truth, restoring relationships, building trust and serving the communities of Northeast Brazil. More specifically, four areas can be highlighted to demonstrate a little of what He has allowed us to be a part of through your prayers, service in short term missions trips and financial support.

The International School has successfully completed its second full year of service to the upper middle class families of Carpina. The ministry headquarters called Alcance Brazil houses the school as well as the Bible Seminary. In 2007 thirty-nine students were enrolled in Kindergarten through fifth grade in beautifully remodeled and decorated classrooms. Parents of the students even donated materials and labor to upgrade the common areas and bathrooms to make it safer and more attractive and Americans, British missionaries, and Brazilians worked hard to create a fun, attractive and safer playground.

Two new church plants have grown in amazing ways. Ricardo da Silva and his team of young people from his church in Guadalajara traveled to Ameixas every week to go door to door, hold home Bible studies, and meet in the street for worship until they were able to find facilities to rent. The congregation has grown to about 30 people and they now have a new pastor, Pastor Assuerio Naque, who moved there with his family recently. Land was purchased and their new church building is being finished this month due to the generous gifts from central Indiana Community churches and the labor provided by 65 Brazilian believers from Rio de Janeiro who have taken off the month of January to build this church using their own brick masons, electricians, painters, plumbers, cooks and clean-up people. The whole community is seeing this cooperative effort and love demonstrated and we expect to see the building packed out January 26^th at the dedication service. (Pictures are in the last post)

Meanwhile, Ricardo and his team began knocking on doors, holding Bible studies and worship services in the streets of Lagoa de Itaenga. When the American medical team held a medical clinic there two summers ago they were able to expand their outreach and win the hearts of the people. A small house downtown was rented and recently Ricardo and his family moved to the town. His team from Guadalajara still comes to help disciple new believers and lead worship music for about 25 attendees.

Praise God! Tele and his family have a new house. By the end of this month they will be in it. For two years they have been living in three small hotel rooms at the Alcance, sharing a small makeshift kitchen with other ministry partners that live there. Even in their new house, though, ministry will be happening. Tele and Heather plan to host a neighborhood Bible study starting with two families that have expressed an interest already.

Last summer both short-term mission trips were a huge success. The medical team led by Dr. Santos from Recife, Brazil, and Drs. Chuck Taylor and Steve Flink held clinics at Carpina’s Big Dump and at the Community Church of Carpina. About 800 people received a medical exam, worm medicine, a months worth of multi-vitamins, and Tylenol plus medicine for their specific ailments. Forrest Craig, Josie Potter and Paul Taylor assisted by taking blood pressure and weighing each patient. Many others helped with crowd control, registration, entertainment, and passing out medications.

The construction team from Brookville Road Community Church consisted of Pastor Greg Ruble and his son, Garrett, Jesse Schwedler, Forrest Craig, and Steve Turner. Together with some of the Brazilians they installed a wireless internet system, built a lower cabinet for the reception desk area, stripped paint from a large iron gate, mixed and laid asphalt paving across the front of the Alcance property, broke up old bricks in Tele’s new neighborhood and used the pieces to fill potholes, and demolished a hallway wall to provide access to the new Print Shop office. On the weekends they visited churches, shared testimonies and fellowshipped. Of course, they also got to go shopping for souvenirs, go to the beach and eat at a Brazilian steak house.

I want to thank everyone for not only praying for and supporting the ministry in Brazil, but for praying for and supporting me in this endeavor. It has been a privilege and honor to represent the Brazil ministry to the Community Churches since 1999, making the needs and vision of the ministry known.

It is my desire that as you read of all these activities and achievement that God has allowed us to be a part of, you will be compelled to participate. Come join us. The water is great! Please take the time to look over the following suggested ways you can help.

Perhaps you would like to help raise money by sending me your used ink jet cartridges for recycling or donate gently used stuff that can be sold on E-Bay. Contact me at 317 840-1270.

To receive weekly prayer updates or information about the summer Mission Trip, July 3-11, please send your e-mail address to wrbrazil@gmail.com.

Sincerely, Steve Turner, Brazil Field Representative

The Church from Southern Brazil has arrived

They are very busy building the Church in Ameixas and spreading the good news of Christ in that town.

The work has started in Ameixas

The Baptist Church from Southern Brazil will be arriving on Jan 6th to complete the Church in Ameixas.

Brazil Update 2007 Video

The Brazilians are here

Assuerio, David, Alyssa, and Mariana (Moraes's cousin) are here in Indiana. If you would like to spend time with any of them let Steven Turner know by calling 317-840-1270.

Here's what is new!

Community Church

Northeastern Bible Seminary is gearing up with some great plans for 2008! There are plans for a new path of study called the Basic Course on Christian Leadership. This basic course is an intense 12 month program focused on helping students get even more involved in church planting and urban mission work. Everything is concentrating on evangelism, discipleship and leadership training, done in a very practical way.

The International School of Carpina is finishing up the year very strong indeed. The Lord gave us 39 students and the perspective for 2008 is an increase in our numbers. Parents are excited about their children's behavior improvements, as well as their interest in learning.
We need more American teachers who can come for at least a semester. If you are a retired teacher, come and join us. Dedicate a semester of your life and teach in Brazil in your own language!

Community Church in Ameixas The construction site is a very busy place right now. In the next 45 days the shell will be up and ready to receive 65 people from Macaé Baptist Church from Rio de Janeiro. They will travel 1,500 miles by bus and spend 3 weeks in Ameixas to help us build the church building and do a Vacation Bible School, street evangelism, and much more. Please, keep their trip in your prayers.

Prayer requests

Prayer Requests for the different Churches and Ministry outreaches are up on the Google map of Brazil. Check it out on the link on the left titled Map of Churches.

Summer Trip Video

God has blessed Brazil with great leaders. The major church planters Ricardo and Assuerio pray for them to keep faithful and daily sharing the good news.

Asuério (left) wants to go to Africa in 2010 and Ricardo (right) wants to start a new church in 2010. The goal for Ricardo is to raise $25,000 by 2010 for a house he can build on his land. Pray and ask God what you can do to help these servants of the Lord in this great work.

Brief Brazil Ministry History

See the vision!

Fall is coming and missions conferences are just around the corner. Tele will be in the US during the month of November again this year.

We are giving blog readers the first opportunity to make an appointment! Whether you want to meet with him one-on-one or have him visit your church you will need to make an appointment. Tele's time fills up fast so be sure to get on his schedule right away!

Call Steven Turner at 317-840-1270 or Bill Mulford at 317-894-2763 to discuss plans.

Now, for the first time, we have a complete map of all the churches & future church sites in Northeast Brazil!

View Larger Map
There is also a permanent link to this map on the left hand side.

Blue= Current Churches
Red= Churches we have helped start
Green= Future sites of Community Churches (be praying for these cities)
Yellow(Yellow)= Current outreaches (house churches or Bible studies)

Pastor Asuério Naque & M.A.S.A.

Post by Steven Turner

I am Steven Turner, field rep from Brazil. I want to thank everyone for their prayers for the summer and the trips. This year I visited Pastor Asuério Naque and his family who are starting a church in Amexias, Brazil. I went to see how he was doing and how we could help. Pastor Asuério's heart’s desire is to return to Africa in 2010. A new mission statement has come out of this summer’s talks and prayers are with him.

“Reaching M.A.S.A. for Christ in 2010”.
Mozambique, Angola and South Africa (MASA) are his target countries.

At this time I will be working on raising Asuério's support to the $1500 a month level. Asuério also needs a sending fund of $20,000 for tickets, house rental, car and household items. People in South Africa get around by car, but I only saw two taxies and two buses in the week I was there in 2006. I also met a great young man who Asuério had led to the Lord during my stay in 2006. Keep praying for Pastor Asuério Naque and his family that God will use them in Amexias to spread the gospel.

If you would like to help financial please send donations to:

World Renewal International
P.O. Box 399 Greenfield IN 46140,
marked for Asuério Naque-Brazil.

Brazil Walk 2007

Introducing the first annual Brazil Walk held at Southeastway Park in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 6, 2007. The purpose is to increase interest and awareness of what is happening in Brazil, to encourage prayers for the people and ministries in Brazil, and to raise money for the Living Stones Ministry in Brazil.

WHEN: Saturday, October 6, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Check-in and late registration will be from 9:30 - 10:00

WHERE: Southeastway Park, 5624 South Carroll Road, just south of Thompson Road

WHY: Your gift allows you to participate with Christ as He continues to build His church, one living stone at a time - through the activites of church planting and community outreach to under- Privileged Kids in northeast Brazil.

What: Walk for your health and for the health of living stones, a church planting and Children's ministry in northeast Brazil. We will walk to encourage our Brazilian brothers and sisters in their walk with Jesus. Two routes are avaliable: a 1 1/2 mille road walk (stroller friendly) or a 2 1/2 - 3 mile road/trail walk. Funds raised will be donated to the living stones ministry in Brazil.

How: Fill out the Brazil Walk 2007 registration form (which can be downloaded from HERE) and send it to World Renewal International at:

World Renewal
P.O. Box 399
Greenfield, IN 46140

There is a $35 registration fee to participate in the walk , but this fee will be waived if you collect at least $35 in pledges. All pledges given are tax deductible. The Pledge form can be downloaded from HERE.