April Update

11th Anniversary Conference of Good News Churches in Brazil

On the 25-29 of March, the 11th Anniversary of the Good News Biblical Conference in Brazil was held again at the Good News Bible Church in Santo Antonio de Jesus in the state of Bahia in NE Brazil. Once again, everyone received the treatment of royalty! I know most will need to diet after all the great food prepared by the ladies of the church.

The pastors from the other Good News churches were present as well as Pr. Don Dennision, director of Missions for the CGGC and Michael Wheeler representing the Olive Branch Church of God in Roaan, IN.

The conference started off on Thursday evening with Gordon bringing the opening message on the theme, Transformed People, Transform the World!

Friday was a day of fellowship at the beach enjoying the sun and a great fish and shrimp lunch at a members home. That evening there was a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the finishing of the Temple that has been in constant building program for 7 years. Pr. Jimenez from Campinas brought the evening message.

Saturday began with a pastors meeting where reports were heard and prayers offered for each pastor and family. After lunch, we met with some of the Bible Institute students and leaders of the local church. Pr. Don Dennison spoke on multiplying disciples and Michael Wheeler discussed Servant Leadership principles. Both were well received and blessed those who attended. Following the teaching sessions, a feet washing service was observed by all the leaders, what an example of Servant Leadership put in practice! Sunday evening Pr. Natal from our church in Araraquara spoke to a crowd of over 200 and got the house on their feet with his musical gift of praise on his guitar.

On Sunday morning Pr. Don brought a report on the general situation in Haiti after the earthquake and a report on our churches and hospital specifically. The Brazilian conference has given roughly two thousand dollars to date to our hospital in Haiti. The host here church giving one thousand dollars towards the needs of our brethren in that grieving country. The closing service was filled with wonderful praise songs, special music by the different choirs, Christian dance groups, children s presentation followed by the closing message by Pr. Don. The Lord´s Supper was observed to close out these wonderful days of praise and fellowship.

WE GIVE THANKS

Thanks to God for raising up these churches in Brazil. Thanks to all of you who have prayed, supported, visited on work teams and encouraged us all these years! During this Easter season we shout, Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Co. 15:54

January News

Annual Theme 2010

Transformed People, Transform the World!

This is not original…a couple of years ago I attended the Midwest Region Conference and was impressed by their theme and thought that one day I might use it in Brazil. Behold, the time has come! I just hope I don´t get a bill from Pr. Bob Eatherton, regional director,  for borrowing his theme.

Banners such as the one shown here have been made and are used to promote this biblical theme of a life transformed by the power and presence of Jesus Christ taken from Romans 12:1-2. This will also be the theme of our 11th anniversary conference March 25-29th to be held at the Good News Bible Church in Santo Antonio de Jesus - Bahia.

Campinas Church Plant Progress

The Church Plant in the Region of Campinas known as Campo Grande, has called several work days to get their property ready to begin building their Bethel. They have been cramped in the pastors’ remodeled small garage for almost three years and urgently need room to grow. Since this is summer time in our part of the world, school is out. Thankfully, many of the youth of the church set aside their video games and television to help clean the property of weeds and high grass. The property is now fenced in and two nice gates have been put in place as well as water, sewage and electric hook ups. Please be in prayer about funds to purchase materials for this project.

The church is presently paying a loan for this property and have limited resources with which to build. Please pray about what you, your church or Sunday School class could do to help on material costs.

Wedding in Araraquara

In December the Good News Bible Church in Araraquara celebrated a wedding. The couple who have been attending the church and after many years of common law union felt they wanted to honor one another and their testimony for the Lord. Pastor Natal officiated the ceremony and a great time of fellowship and food followed at the reception. What a wonderful testimony of God´s transformation in the hearts and lives of this couple.

Good News Help For Haiti

Upon hearing of the terrible earthquake that struck Haiti, our churches have decided to do something to help. Besides having special prayer for Haiti during our worship service, each of our six churches is going to raise funds to send to our CGGC ministry where most needed. During the next month our churches will send in ten percent of their offerings, sell hot dogs and other promotions to raise funds for the needs there. We know that our little with God´s blessings will be multiplied to bless many in that suffering country.

November Update

It has been awhile since my last update so let me fill you in on some highlights. In September, Annie and I took some vacation time to visit our sons Bryan and Roberto and their wives in the Los Angeles area. On September second, we welcomed our grandson Isaac into the world and our family, it was also Annie’s birthday which made the day even more special.

Dedication of Campo Grande Property

In October we had a special dedication service on the new property of the congregation located in the Campo Grande Region of Campinas. Pastor Samuel was down at the time from our church in Bahia state and we had special services on the weekend inviting friends and neighbors to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. On Sunday morning, a good number of the members and also the next door neighbor, joined together in singing and prayers for those living in the region and for the ministry of this new church. A special prayer for wisdom and strength was given for Pr. Jimenez and wife Claudia as they lead the ministry.

This young church is paying a loan for the property and are strapped for funds for building materials. If you would like to help purchase materials for the church construction please send funds to CCM office or donate online at www.cggc.org earmarked “Project Campo Grande Construction”.

International Leaders Fellowship in Haiti

On November 12-19 I traveled to the country of Haiti with fellow pastor Samuel to represent our Brazil Good News Conference. We were joined by representatives of each area of the world where the General Conference has mission work. Those countries represented were, USA, India, Bangledesh, Kenya, Venezuela and of course Haiti. At first, it was a mini tower of Babel, but soon the tower fell and the language of Christian brotherhood prevailed! It was a wonderful opportunity to meet the leaders from the other countries and “talk shop” on the blessings and challenges faced on each field. Even more conversation took place after the meetings each night in informal discussions and fellowship time. For most of us it was the first time to visit Haiti and most were saddened by the stark poverty of the island but also blessed and inspired by the spirit of our Haitian brothers and sisters faithfully serving the Lord under such dire circumstances. They truly serve as great examples to us all. As we say in Brazil, “we often complain with a full stomach.”

All delegates desired to have another meeting within 2 or 3 years in Bangladesh. A planning committee was elected and plans are already underway for that event. It is a true saying that the sun never sets on the ministry of the General Conference around the world. Thank God for the faithful Christian leaders we have in each country sharing the Gospel in the many churches, hospitals and schools making an impact on so many lives in so many ways. Let us hold them up daily in our prayers!

A Blessed and Wonderful Thanksgiving to you and your family! We want to thank God for you and your faithful prayers and support to this ministry.

August Update

Ten Baptized Good News Campinas

The Good News Church Plant in the Campo Grande region of Campinas held another baptism July 26th.  Ten new disciples of Jesus Christ followed their Lord in believers baptism at a local camp that was rented for the day. It was a day of blessing and celebration for the young congregation that has just completed two years and still meets in the pastors home.

This church needs to relocate to their new property(see May News for pictures) as they have no room to grow in the small home where 60 to 80 crowd in for services 4 times a week.  Would you or your church or Sunday School class consider sending a special love offering for building materials? If so, click on the Share tab at www.pgnbrazil.com or go to www.cggc.org to find out how.

Thanks for your prayers and support to Project Good News Brazil!

July 25th News

Couples Banquet

The Good News Bible Church of Araraquara, Sao Paulo is the first church of the Good News Conferece.

Pastor Natal and wife Celene Vasconcelos have been leading this church for 5 years. In July they had their annual couples banquet with a good number of couples enjoying a time of food and fellowship with a timely devotion from the Scriptures. Below are a few pictures of the banquet as well as some pictures of the Bible study group from the church. The church has began to see more visitors and new members join the church. They appreciate your prayers for their outreach into the needy neighborhood called Sao Paulo Park.

May News

New Property Campo Grande - Campinas, Brazil

I want to share  with you a wonderful answer to prayer.
For the last year or so, the church plant meeting in a garage at the pastor´s home has been praying
for solution to their limited space. The growth of the church plant is a good problem,
averaging 50 or more each service. The bad problem is they have been limited in their
ability to grow or plan more outreach. Thanks to a loan from the CGGC revolving fund,
the church plant was able to purchase 2 corner lots in a prime location. The property
is located close to the present meeting place and a new housing development will soon begin
on 800 homes a few blocks away. (see photos below)

Please continue to pray for Pr. Jimenez and his wife Claudia as they lead this church plant to
greater outreach in this needy region. Pray for funds to build on the new property, as loans for
building are almost impossible here.

Perhaps you, your church or SS class would like to help purchase materials by sending an offering to this project. Any amount will be a great blessing and encouragement to this young and growing congregation! Click on the Share tab to find out how. Thanks for praying and supporting PGNBrazil!

• Upper area location of 800 new homes to be built
• Square middle - location of new property for church
• Circle right - Present meeting place location

In other news, the Mother´s Day service was a great time of honoring Christ and encouraging Mom.  It was standing room only in the remodled garage where the Good News Church meets. (see photo below)

April News

Blessings beyond measure! That was the sentiment of everyone that attended the tenth anniversary of the Good News Conference of Brazil held the 26^th to 29^th of March. The celebration event was hosted by the Good News Church in Santo Antonio de Jesus, Bahia state. What a marvelous job everyone did to provide lodging and three meals a day for the pastor’s families from the other regions of Brazil. From the opening prayer to the closing benediction, the presence of the Lord was felt in every meeting. Truly God was honored and his people blessed during this time together. Everyone left with a renewed desire to make the next ten years, or until the Lord returns, count for Christ and His kingdom.

The following are some photos of the activities and services during the week… enjoy!

March News

Camp 2009–

Brazil is known for its great soccer players, the Amazon jungle and Carnaval! Brazilian Carnaval (from latin “goodbye to the flesh”) is compared to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans…except it is a nationwide holiday. It begins on Friday and ends at noon on Ash Wednesday.  There is much reveling and debauchery but not everyone participates. In order to give our young people and families an option, we try and have a camp.

video management, video solution, video streaming

This year, the three Good News Churches in the Campinas region held their 8^th annual camp. Since it is summer here, it is a great time for camp. A small facility was rented that had a nice pool and an indispensable sand soccer court. The highlights of camp were the three who were baptized and 10 young people (pics below)who gave their hearts to Jesus as Lord and Savior! On the last day no one wanted to leave, God was honored and His people blessed!

Thanks for your prayers and financial support that have helped support church plants like these. To see how to support Project Good News Brazil, click here!

View the photos of camp highlights:

The National Biblical Good News Conference of Brazil will celebrate its 10th year anniversary the 26-29th of March. Special guest speakers will be Pastors Ed Rosenberry, executive director of the Churches of God, General Conference and Don Dennison, director of Cross Cultural Missions for the CGGC.

Please pray for safe travels for all the pastors and leaders. Pray for a blessed time of renewal, fellowship and thanksgiving to God for ten years of laying the foundation for our Good News Conference. To God be the Glory!!

February News

This month I want focus on some events that happened last year that were real blessings. Highlighting “The March for Jesus,” event which was amazing and took place in Santo Antonio de Jesus, in the state of Bahia. This event had worship bands and prayers all across the city! Also, get to know more about Salvador, Bahia. Salvador is the city where Annie and I lived for 10 years and was the entry point of slavery in the 1700’s. With foods and customs similar to Louisiana, watch a slide show that shows USA’s similarities with Brazil!

Highlight of the Month

March For Jesus - This month I want to report on something that happened in November 2008, which was a real blessing. It was my privilege to take part in the city wide “March for Jesus” held in Brazil. I was visiting the Good News Church in Bahia, “Santo Antonio de Jesus,” and was invited to accompany Pastor Samuel for the morning event.

The march began late, as usual, and then a huge sound truck (see pic) came down the street. This eighteen-wheeler filled with speakers, amplifiers and with the pastors of the city riding on the top along with a Christian band playing praise music that could be heard for miles around. As it went slowly down the boulevard having to stop often for low hanging electric wires crossing the street! A man with a long stick would push them up so the truck could pass.

As the truck traveled toward downtown, it would stop at every neighborhood so one of the pastors could pray. It was quite a unique experience also inspiring as hundreds came out to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Lord of Brazil!

Other News

Salvador, Bahia is similar to Louisiana - Enjoy the beautiful photos of historical Salvador, Brazil’s first colonial capital founded in 1500. This was the pastors first time to fly and be able to visit Salvador and gaze off the huge elevator overlooking the beautiful All Saints Bay. They also strolled down the cobble stone streets of the old city where 17th century churches still stand.

To watch a video photo gallery of Salvador, Bahia, click here.

Missionary Gordon Avey accompanied them as they continued their visit by crossing All Saints Bay, a 45 minute ferry boat ride to continue the trip to the Good News Church in Santo Antonio de Jesus, located 3 hours from Salvador to participate in a pastors meeting.

Donate to PGNBrazil!

This year we are extremely low on funds. If you feel the pull of God, please don’t hesitate. Great things are happening and you can be a part. No donation is too small, or too big! To donate to Project Good News click here.

ENJOY,

Gordon and Annie Avey!

January News

January 2009 marked several milestones. It marks 32 years since the Aveys first left for Brazil, the 15th year with the Churches of God, General Conference Missions, and 10 years since the founding of Project Good News Brazil (Good News Bible Conference of Brazil). God has surely blessed us through all these years, good times and difficult battles. The truth is, without a battle there is no victory. We are praising God for all the victories won in the last 10 years, especially for the lives that have been transformed by the power of the Good News of Jesus Christ!

The Good News Conference will have an anniversary celebration the 26-29th of March. It will be held in the Good News Bible Church of Santo Antonio de Jesus in the NE state of Bahia. We are anticipating a wonderful time of celebration, fellowship and renewed vision to accomplish more for His kingdom in the next 10 years.

The anniversary theme will be “Building and Battling” taken from Nehemiah 4:17 “Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held their weapon with the other and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked.” This verse provides a visual image of the spiritual work of missions. Building the kingdom while battling the forces of darkness on his territory…advancing often inch by inch. Satan is never happy with the building of the kingdom nor the kingdom builders!

Project Good News Brazil is the result of the many fellow laborers with Him who have prayed and supported this ministry. Through the years, together, we have been building up lives and winning spiritual battles. Thanks again to each of you our prayer warriors and support partners. Keep praying for PGNBRAZIL!

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