October 19, 2012
By Diane and Len Warden
Not a day goes by that we are not reminded of the importance of prayer to our ministry in Brazil. We are truly amazed and humbled as God moves powerfully in Lagoa Santa. Our small community of believers is growing into a people actively living for those outside the church.
As we anticipate our retirement within the next 18 months, we are starting Alliance Marriage Encounter (ALMA) in Lagoa Santa. This ministry—known as 48 Hours of Love—is well established throughout Latin America.
Len and I were involved in the Sao Paulo ALMA for many years and saw the incredible impact ALMA has in bringing couples to Christ and reaching out to their families.
We meet regularly with 12 couples in our congregation who have experienced the ALMA weekend in Sao Paulo. With Pastor Fernando Pedro’s enthusiastic endorsement, our goal is to have the ministry in place as the principle evangelistic tool in the church before we retire. We are really excited to see what God is going to do.
We Need You!
For ALMA to succeed in Lagoa Santa, we need people who will pray for us and the development of this ministry, which already has come under attack. Of the 12 couples who have participated in the program during the past two years, we have lost four to divorce, lack of interest, or other reasons. Intensive follow-up is essential to a successful ALMA program.
Our most excited and committed couples are those whose relationships were impacted by the weekend. Even though several are not believers, they are committed to see the program come to pass.
Pray specifically
- that God will raise up ALMA leaders who are committed to God and to the ministry of the local church
- that the Lord will supply start-up funds for ALMA,
- that couples in the program who do not yet know Jesus will encounter Him personally.