Saturday, January 28
Brazil
The United Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPU) has approximately 10,000 members in 51 congregations. However, it has a significant prophetic and ecumenical voice and the largest number of theologians per capita in any church I know.
Sitting around the dinner table with two of my former students from the Presbyterian seminary in Campinas was a time of rejoicing in the fruits of my classes. They shared with me the results of their ministries in the IPU. Rev. Rogerio Miranda reached out to a network of congregations to encourage the formation of mission committees at local, regional, and national levels. Rev. Julio Amorim, pastor of the First IPU in Colatina, which hosts an extension of the new IPU seminary, is committed to this educational venture.
The Rev. Isaura Massa shared this with me: "Do you remember when you spoke at the meeting of the Theological Association of Brazil in 2002? Derval Dasilio and I shared with you our project and dream of a center of theological formation and you said, 'This is it, the right project at the right time!?'" The dream became a reality and we started the Center of Theological Formation Richard Shaull in Vitoria.'' Our mission co-workers Farris and Thelma Goodrum now teach there. There are extensions in Salvador, Bahia, Colatina, and Espirito Santo, where they also teach. Students enthusiastically told me of their joy in using the books I have written. I was humbled and gratified to see some of the impact of my ministry of teaching and writing and to know that other PC(USA) workers are producing many more fruit.
— The Rev. Dr. Sherron George, missiologist and retired PC(USA) mission co-worker residing in Brazil
Let us join in prayer for:
Partners/Ministries
Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB): Rev. Aureo Rodrigues de Oliveira, moderator, Rev. Roberto Mauro, stated clerk * United Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPU): Anita Wright Torres, moderator, Wertson de Souza, stated clerk * Ecumenical Commission on Land Rights: Rev. Joao Dias de Araujo, president
Presbytery Partnerships: Presbytery of East Iowa, Presbytery of Great Rivers, Presbytery of Mississippi, Presbytery of Muskingum Valley, and Presbytery of Southern New England with the IPIB
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Terri Ann Bowman, GAMC
Nancy Boxman, BOP
The Rev. Debbie Braaksma, GAMC
Let us pray
We pray for the IPU and especially for the Center of Theological Formation Richard Shaull in Vitoria, Colatina, and Salvador. Make our partner denomination an inspiration to many people in Brazil. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 122; 149
First Reading Genesis 18:1-16
Second Reading Hebrews 10:26-39
Gospel John 6:16-27
Evening Psalms 100; 63