Our Online Bible Group

Our M.O. of evangelism and edification has concentrated on neighborhood Bible Study groups. Nothing can substitute the face-to-face telling and living the Gospel in small groups. In this same way, many churches were birthed through a Christian, inviting friends and neighbors to study God's Word in their home, bringing about a community of believers in the same part of town.

But a lot of times people don't live in the same neighborhood, and sometimes brothers and sisters in Christ move to other cities, even other countries, possibly finding themselves alone in their quest to live for Jesus.

Till 2020, we let geographical barriers keep us from fellow-shipping regularly with those far away. Because of the pandemic we started our virtual small Bible groups in April 2020. Mine began with four members, but after a while, people started inviting others, others from other cities, and countries.

In addition to Edda and me, there are Julian and Bel, Ana Paula, Lucila, Maria do Socorro, all living in João Pessoa, Then there's Regina from Recife, Terezinha from Natal, Jeane in the USA, and Magarete in Italy. Some are visitors, studying the Bible for the first time.

This month we are studying Hebrews chapter 11, discovering the stories of men and women who were great examples of true faith in God. We share needs and pray together.

The pandemic isolated a lot of people, but it opened my eyes that in the absence of in person studies, online studies can be a pretty good plan B.

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The Planting, the Watering, and the Increase

Emesson started coming to Bible Club over a year ago, when Neil Schultz and Cait Beckloff, our AIM team, were teaching it. For several months, they planted the seed in his and his sister's hearts. Unfortunately Neil and Cait's time in João Pessoa ended. In 2014 Bible Club received a boon when Erick and Jenny Paddy, former AIMers, returned to the field and picked up teaching the Bible Study for English speakers. They watered the sprouting seed in Emesson's life until God's Word became more important for him than just practicing his English. Last Wednesday night, God gave the increase, adding Emesson to the Family of Christ. Sometimes things don't happen when we think they should, but God is in control; His time is best, and we must thank Him for playing a small part in His plan.

"What About Baptism?"

Edda and I went to a nearby city to study the Bible with a family, Genilda (who is already a Christian), Ana, Mariana, Luiza, and Jefferson. While we were reading God's Word, Ana's husband, Silva, came in and sat down, and then blurted out: "What about baptism?" It took me by surprise because he has barely studied with us, but, most certainly, is already thinking about spiritual matters. Our Bible study then took a lot of detours, answering this question or that. Silva said he still has a lot of questions, and we pray that the Lord will use us to answer them, bringing him to understand the Good News!

Samuel McKinney's New Life in Christ

It has been only three days since Samuel gave his life to Christ, but it is so exciting to see my young son exercising his faith, like getting upset when his history teacher at school taught that miracles in the book of Exodus can be explained by natural phenomena: low and high tides in the crossing of the sea, natural disasters for the plagues, etc. The day after his baptism, Samuel went on a trip with his school and received a new nickname: the boy who reads the Bible. He read 1 Samuel, chapters 1 through 6, out loud for the whole bus to hear. His eagerness to take the Lord's Supper for the first time was refreshing. May our Father bless all our families with life changing faith.

McKinney Report

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