Brazil River of Life Ministries (Jeff, Monica and Isaac Fife)

JUNE 2014

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied. Acts 9:31 (RSV) 

Dear Friends and Prayer Warriors,

Greetings from your coworkers to the Portuguese-Speaking World!

After Saul’s conversion the church enjoyed a time of peace (Acts 9:31), however we find in this verse four characteristics of an Ideal Church: (1) It builds up through the Word and love (Rm 15:1-7,13-14); (2) It walks in the fear of the Lord (1 Pe 1:15-17); (3) It is guide by the Holy Spirit (Jo 14:16-17,26); and (4) It multiplies (Ac 8:4). This is our goal as we plant church throughout the Portuguese-Speaking World, churches that it are built firm on God’s Word and love, that walks in the fear of the Lord, that is guide by the Holy Spirit and that will multiplied taking God’s Good News to all Nations in Jesus name.

Let us share with you some ministry highlights:

Mother’s Day

I a Latin America society Mother’s Day is a huge celebration, thus the churches in Brazil had dinners, presentations, special messages, gifts to all the mothers and more. It is always a big highlight and a great opportunity for evangelism, many mothers, especially grandmas and aunts, comes to church on Mother’s Day so they can see the children’s presentation.

 Church at Sao Mateus – Sao Paulo

Brother Giberto, pastor at Sao Mateus church, wife Patricia was blessed with the opportunity to write a book with daily devotionals with other Christian Women from several other churches that was published in May. Patricia is a school teacher; she is responsible for the Woman’s ministries at Sao Mateus church and is Gilberto’s right arm.

 Brother Gilberto finished his chaplaincy degree and was the patron of his class. The graduation was in May. We are very proud of Gilberto’s dedication and growth in the last 9 years that he been part of Brazil River of Life MInistries; he has done a great job at Sao Mateus church. Gilberto owns a Gypsum Company and does many decorations at homes and businesses. 

 Church at Valparaiso - Goias

Brother Edgar, pastor at Valpariso church reported 4 baptisms in May. Valparaiso Church has started this year to work with home groups and these are the first fruits of a youth home group lead by Edgar’s daughter Estefane. What a blessing!

 To Brazil

Monica, Isaac and I (Jeff) left to Brazil on May 22. Our trip was great and we are looking forward to a very productive summer (winter in Brazil). Roger stayed in East Tennessee so he can work during the summer, he will be a senior at Milligan College on the fall and he is already applying for graduate studies so he can start in the fall of 2015. Please, pray that God will open the doors for Roger, that he will be safe and blessed during the summer.

 Leadership Meeting

On May 24 we meet with the ministers from the churches at Campo Limpo Paulista, Jundiai and Sao Mateus and their wives at our home. It was a very productive meeting, we heard their reports, their needs and we made many plans for the near future.

 Church at Bom Retiro

The church in Bom Retiro was planted in August 2010 as a Korean/ Portuguese church, however, in the last 6 months many Brazilians and second and third generations of Koreans in Brazil started to come to the Bom Retiro church. Thus, on May 25 we met to see the possibilities of having a service in Korean and a service in Portuguese on Sundays. In June we are experimenting the possibility of having the Korean Service and a Sunday School in Portuguese at 11 a.m., lunch for all at 12:30 p.m.  and a Portuguese Service and a Korean Sunday School at 2 p.m.. If everyone approves this experience, July on we will establish these new Services and Sunday School hours.

 Graduation

Monica graduate from Milligan College on May 10 on Fine Arts with Cum Laud. Monica is a true trooper, never giving up, after the brain tumor in 2008; she decided to continue her education, in 2010 Dr. Don Jeans (deceased and Milligan’s President at that time), blessed her with a full scholarship. In 2012 Monica had a generalized infection and lost the fall semester and as she was recuperating she took 2 classes on the 2013 spring semester, however, she kept going and so she could graduate this spring she took 18.5 credits this semester. We are very proud of her!

Please, pray for our travel plans, here are our current plans:

August 11-18 Mozambique; August 18-25 Angola; September 15-22 Guinea Bissau; September 22-29 Portugal

20/50 Campaign

We've been very blessed with some one-time gifts and some increases from those who currently support us, and we are very thankful. Praise the Lord we are half way on our campaign, however, we still need $500 per month to reach BROLM's 2014 budget. Thus, we still need 10 new or current individuals/churches to start/increase their support with $50 or more a month.  Please pray and consider participating in this challenge. Help us reach this goal!  Thanks!

 Available to Speak

We are available to speak and visit our supporters from October 1 to December 8. Here is our present schedule:

Oct 23 – Colonial Heights Christian Church, TN

Nov 1-2 – First Christian Church Johnson City, TN

Nov 13-16 – ICOM (International Conference on Missions) in Columbus, OH (Exhibit 1105)

God is doing great things through BRoLM, and your prayers and support are vital! Please continue to pray so the Lord will use BRoLM more and more for His honor and glory!

May the Lord richly bless you in Christ Jesus!

God is good, all the time; and He is acting among us!

In HIS Love and Service,

Thanks for praying for us!

 Jeff & Monica Fife