The Church is Now Here!

Campina Grande is the second largest city in Paraiba, and the church is getting ready to take Christ there. The church is praying, Brazilian congregations are raising money to send two national families there in addition to a missionary family also preparing to move there this year. But even before they arrive, God is working, as told by Joe McKinney below:

I usually travel through Campina Grande on my way to anywhere in Paraiba so when I discovered that Izaias, an old friend whom I had not seen in over 15 years, had been transferred there (he is an agent with the Federal Police), I decided to stop and try to find him. When I got there, I called him and his wife answered, whom I had never met. She told me how to get to the house. Izaias took off from work and came to meet me at home. We had lunch and spent the day catching up and talking about life, God, the Scriptures until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I spent the night at their house and the next day went on my way.

Three weeks later, Izaias called me out of the blue and said there were three people who had decided for Christ and wanted to be baptized and would I come do it? Of course I went and after a Bible study with the family, baptized Izaias and his two daughters, Patricia and Vanessa. I went on my way rejoicing.

The church in João Pessoa is right now preparing three families to move to Campina Grande to begin the church there, hopefully in June or July. Izaias, right after the baptisms, told me "The church is now in Campina Grande."

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Consecration

We know that God can do anything. The question is what will He do? What will the Lord do in the lives of His people when they consecrate themselves to Him? We hope to find out. Friday, May 22 nd , the Luna congregation had an all night vigil of consecration. We went from 9 pm to 5:30 am, and over 50 people participated, from the ages of 10 to 75 years. In the prayer corner, brothers and sisters signed up for time slots so that we would have prayer without ceasing. The vigil focused on Consecrating our Lives, in Gratitude, in Unity, in Service, and in Sharing . Each part consisted of prayer, singing, Bible Reading and Reflection, and practical activities, like in Service, we washed everyone’s feet, and then everybody joined in making breakfast for the group: homemade bread, fruit, tapioca and eggs, juice, and coffee. In Sharing, we ended with a wonderful meal together in family, talking about people with whom we want to share the gospel. Spend

Luna Men

The men of the Luna church of Christ have a weekly meeting for the purpose of edification and planning God's work in the congregation. Some are going strong, others have family problems, and we all want to grew in God's purpose for our lives. Last night's meeting included a discussion of what really happened on the cross, on resting in Lord in the Psalms. We made plans about the upcoming Carnaval (Mardi Gras) retreat, and talked about the need to do some manual labor on our building. Though the group was smaller this week, there is a hunger to serve. Five out of the six committed spending Wednesday ripping up a big wall that needs to be redone. Whether leading, studying, admonishing, evangelizing, or tearing up a wall, let God use us to His glory!

Pentecost in Paraíba

"This is Pentecost in Cajazeiras," Rivaldo Café said, "Almost three thousand were baptized in Jerusalem, almost ten in Cajazeiras." A wild comparison, of course, but the excitement that produced it was legitimate. Six young men gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized on Saturday. I was blessed to be there: the sixteen hours on a bus, going and coming, was worth it. I went to teach a weekend couples' seminar on the theme "God Gave Me You". The couples (around 12) were mostly parents of kids in the Right Step Program. The changes in these boys' lives have made an impression on the families, many of which have started Bible studies too. Saturday morning, after the soccer practice, three of the boys asked to be baptized. We headed to the building. Café began filling the portable swimming pool while I talked to the boys about what it means to come into the Family of God. Franze (15 yrs), Luam (14 yrs), Jorcelam (17 yrs)

McKinney Report

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