Show Us Leaders!

February 28, 2013

By Diane and Len Warden

Our four-year-old church plant in Lagoa Santa (Holy Lake), Brazil, needs strong, godly lay leadership. So, we asked God to show us leaders who have become members during the past year.

We have been amazed by three couples who couldn’t wait for the next semester of small groups to start and began theirs before the Carnival holidays in the middle of February. Most people are on vacation at that time, but these couples moved foward, even though the pastors were not available.

Just Like the Pastor

We are happy that these couples they don’t “need” the pastors’ involvement. At first, they thought our feelings would be hurt because we couldn’t be there, but then they realized that this is a real sign of maturity for both the pastoral team and lay leaders.

Those attending the groups are pleased with the situation. “They lead just like Pastor Fernando,” one person said. Another commented, “They share their testimony of how they found Christ.” The wife of one group leader said, “My husband has surprised me with his pastor’s heart while leading the study!”

Bigger than Us

The most encouraging part is that these groups have emphasized prayer for one another and for the church’s ministries. This itself is an answer to prayer. God is building His Church here and raising up others who are ready to minister along with us.

As we head toward the finish line of our ministry in Brazil, God has challenged us to bring ALMA (Alliance Marriage Encounter) to Lagoa Santa. We have been involved with ALMA in Sao Paulo since its inception and have seen the impact that the “48 hours of love” can have on the church and families. After careful praying and planning, we are bringing the ministry here in fall 2014. In cooperation with ALMA-Sao Paulo, 15 couples will be the core group to help establish the ministry.

This is much bigger than us, and only God is powerful enough to make this come to pass.  We have seen Him moving among these 15 couples to bring healing and restoration to their marriages, and they want to share this ministry with their relatives, friends, and colleagues. How exciting! Pray for the preparation of testimony couples and the detailed logistics of this event. There is a two-year follow-up program designed to not only help the couples’ marriages but also to lead them into a growing relationship with Christ.

God heard our prayers and has raised up leaders within the Lagoa Santa church plant. As we finish our ministry in Brazil, we know the church is in good hands—His hands.