In August 2024, Harvesters held our Global Church Planting Weekend, rallying faithful believers across the world to share the love of Christ and expand God’s Kingdom. The pastors in Brazil took this special opportunity to share the Gospel with people in homes and public places. Let’s pray for all the seeds sown over those powerful three days.
Taking the Gospel to People’s Homes
Various evangelism house visits took place over the weekend. In Belo Horizonte, Pastor Maicon was invited to the home of brother Carlos, a new believer in his church. Carlos’ family are unsaved, but they had the wonderful opportunity of hearing the Gospel shared with them that day. Let’s pray for the words to germinate and the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to Jesus.
In Senador Firmino, a breakthrough occurred when a Catholic family, in need of liberation from the bonds of tradition, welcomed believers into their house. “The simple fact that we were allowed to enter this home shows that the Lord is doing something,” shared Pastor Tiago Oliveira, Harvesters Country Leader in Brazil. The group sang songs of worship and shared the Good News. One of the four adult sons, who suffered a terrible accident at work, has surrendered his life to Christ and experienced healing! Let’s pray for the salvation of his wife and the rest of the family.
In Jequitinhonha Valley, home evangelism visits led to the salvation of a young man, who prayed, “I accept you as the only and sufficient Saviour of my life.” Praise the Lord for the fruit of these home visits.
Hitting the Streets
In addition to home visits, churches held services outside, providing opportunities for community engagement. On the Friday in Belo Horizonte, an event was held at an ice cream shop in a poor and violent neighbourhood. Songs of worship were sung, testimonies were shared, and the Gospel of salvation was preached, while passers-by listened, and people watched from their windows.
On Saturday, a similar event in Senador Firmino’s public square utilised the Heart of Man Chart, a visual evangelism tool, leading to meaningful conversations. As Pastor Tiago noted, “Many approached furtively to understand what was happening,” demonstrating a curiosity about faith amidst their Catholic background. An elderly lady and two children were saved as a result of this event!
In Divinópolis, Pastor Sidney and a congregation member evangelised in the city centre. “We are talking to people about a renewed heart, raising people’s awareness about the importance of caring for our spiritual hearts,” he said. Let’s pray for the seeds sown that day.
“May the Lord continue to rescue people and may we have the opportunity to disciple new believers as the Lord adds them to His Church,” said Tiago.
Special Services and Praise Events
The weekend also featured special services aimed at discipleship and spiritual growth. On Friday, the church in Betim held discipleship meetings in the house churches that were planted this year. The topic of the moment was to discuss the disciplines found in Steven Loots’ book Transformational Discipleship. This was followed on Sunday by a house church leaders gathering to discuss the church-planting cycle of Harvesters: evangelise, plant a church, disciple, identify and train a leader, do it all over again.
In Tavares, Pastor José Arnaldo, who is planting churches among young people, held an evangelism and praise event titled ‘Worship and War’. “God has raised up young people, teenagers and children to take part in this church-planting work,” he shared. This event not only celebrated the Lord’s goodness but also encouraged attendees to engage in discipleship and community outreach.
Prayer Points for the Seeds Planted in Brazil
- Pray for the new believers who accepted Christ during the weekend, that they may grow in their faith and find community in local churches.
- Pray for the families who welcomed evangelism teams into their homes, that their hearts may continue to open to the Gospel.
- Pray for the ongoing work of Harvesters in Brazil, that more churches may be planted and established in unreached areas.
- Pray for the youth engaged in church planting efforts, that they may be empowered and equipped to share their faith boldly.
- Pray for the spiritual climate in Brazil, asking the Lord to break down barriers and lead many to salvation.
