Greetings from your coworkers to the Portuguese-Speaking World,
It is with great satisfaction that we would like to inform you that we are in the processes of re-registering our ministry. Consulting with our board of trustees we have come to the conclusion that we needed make some difference on the ministry name so it would be more accurate. There are dozens of River of Life Ministries throughout the USA, so we have decided to add Brazil to the Ministries name. The ministry Mission and Vision continues the same. As soon we are through with the process of re-registering we will let you know. The new name will be: Brazil River of Life Ministries, Inc. Take a look at the new logo!
It is with great satisfaction that we would like to inform you that we are in the processes of re-registering our ministry. Consulting with our board of trustees we have come to the conclusion that we needed make some difference on the ministry name so it would be more accurate. There are dozens of River of Life Ministries throughout the USA, so we have decided to add Brazil to the Ministries name. The ministry Mission and Vision continues the same. As soon we are through with the process of re-registering we will let you know. The new name will be: Brazil River of Life Ministries, Inc. Take a look at the new logo!
During these first 7½ years that we been working with the Portuguese-Speaking World in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, God has used us in many great ways for His glory. Right now we are very happy that He has allowed us to come to the USA and visit our supporting churches, friends and family.Through these 7½ years God has given us the opportunity to help plant 10 churches and help restore 8 churches that were dying in Brazil. One of these churches we have been working with personally since it was planted in January 2005. When God allowed us to start meeting at the location where we are in the city of Campo Limpo Paulista we were only 11 people working and praying for the Lord to bless this new church plant. Today the Campo Limpo church has 132 members and it is getting ready to plant its first congregation in Jundiai.
Campo Limpo Paulista city has approximately 90 thousand population, Jundiai has approximately ½ million. Jundiai is about 10 miles from Campo Limpo Paulista and 30 members of the Campo Limpo Church live in Jundiai including two of the elders, Ruben and Jose. The state of Sao Paulo has 40 million population and only 9% are Evangelicals-Christians.
On our vision statement it says “Reach the lost through Evangelism”. God has allowed us to promote over 200 events to reach all ages, through the many locations that we have helped plant new churches. We promote at least three big events per year to reach the children. Every other month Monica promotes a Women’s Tea and I (Jeff) promote a Men’s Breakfast. Every three months we have a big evangelistic event for the youth. As a result we have had the opportunity of baptizing almost 200 new converts into Christ.As we reach the lost through Evangelism, our next step is “mentoring and equipping through Discipleship”. Through the years we have offered many types of Discipleship. I have put together new converts discipleship material that teaches about baptism, church membership, discipline in the church, stewardship and what it is to be a disciple. Right after the new convert and new comers from other churches go through this material they go through a short booklet that I have written about the Restoration Movement and its beliefs. Then we study with them the booklet my father (Tom Fife) wrote on Communion “The Breaking of Bread”. We call this material 3 in 1 for new convents and transfers.
Another Discipleship material I have written is about Eldership and Deaconship. The church separates them and they are taught what it is to be an elder and what it is to be a deacon. Then after two years of experience and training they are voted on by the congregation.
Every month we have a Leadership and Ministry Meeting at the church in Campo Limpo for leaders of four of the churches that are under BRLM (Brazil River of Life Ministries) and every three months we have a State Meeting for leaders of 15 churches.A dream was to start in June 2008 the Bible College at Campo Limpo. One subject is taught at a time. The Classes are every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Evangelism and the Discipleship is done with the purpose to “Plant New Churches”.
Monica is very active not only in the local ministry at Campo Limpo Church but throughout BRLM events. At the local church she leads the Children’s Ministry. She is responsible for the Music and Special events celebration (Christmas, Easter, Mothers and Fathers Day and etc.).
The World Convention will be in Brazil in 2012 and prior to that there is a Women’s World Gathering promoted by the Global Women Connecting. Monica was chosen to be the president from 2009 to 2012. In Brazil last year we promoted the first Women’s Conference for the Southeast Churches and there were over 100 ladies participating.
Another ministry that Monica and I work with together is the Couples Ministry. We give them a course on marriage during the second semester of each year.
BRLM Mission statement is to “Reach the Portuguese-Speaking World for Jesus Christ”. There 9 countries and over 230 million people that speak Portuguese in the world. The Churches of Christ/Christian Churches in Brazil have sent and support mission work in all of these countries. So we have teamed up with this mission work. They use all of our discipleship material and when it is possible we go personally to visit and encourage them. Last February Roger and I went to Mozambique, Brother John Leech, elder and mission leader from Seymour Heights Christian Church, went with us also.
Our goals for the next year are: Continue with the evangelistic events and discipleship programs. Plant the Jundiai Church in the fall of 2009. We need $10,000 (US Dollars) to start up and $1,000 per month for 3 years for this church plant. Plant the Caeiras Church in the fall of 2010. Visit the mission work in Angola, September 2010.We need to raise 24.5% increase on our regular support to so we can keep up the ministry work due to the devaluation of the US dollar. Our net loss is $1,300 (US Dollars).
God is good all the time and all the time God is Good!In HIS Love and Service,
Jeff, Monica, Roger, and Isaac Fife
BRAZIL RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES/MINISTÉRIO RIO DE VIDA
Reaching the Portuguese-Speaking World for Christ!
Evangelism - Dicipleship - New Church Plant
Address For Contribution:
Brazil River of Life Ministries - c/o Elena Coelho
PO Box 8262 - Gray - TN 37615
Ph: 423-741-4907
E-mail: ebrasa@hotmail.com
Address For Correspondence:
Rua dos Jacarandas, 120 Jardim Timbará
CEP 13233-152 - Campo Limpo Pta - SP - Brazil
Ph: 011-55-11-4038-3422 - Cell: 011-55-11-9955-7749
E-Mail: RLM_Fifes@hotmail - Blog: http://riveroflifeministries.blogspot.com/
