Service, duty, and mission to the world are just a few of the driving principles of the Greater New York Conference (GNYC) Youth Ministries Department. This past summer, those principles, and so much more, were present as the Youth Ministries department led an initiative to make a tangible impact in a community in Brazil.
It was important to find a community where the mission team could serve through different projects, such as reconstruction, public evangelism, children’s ministry, and community service. Therefore, in conversation with Claudio Gomez, New York Conference executive secretary, the organizers learned that Peruibe, the home of the indigenous tribe called Aldeia Piaçaguera, was a perfect location for this mission trip. With the help of Servet Dema, the local church pastor at Peruibe, and Pedro de Toledo, who provided the essential resources, the mission trip was a success.
The mission took place in a non-Christian community and focused on sharing spiritual hope with the indigenous population and the local church community. A critical element to the success of this trip was the Vacation Bible School for children, ages 3-12 years old. The VBS occurred in the Church of Recreio Santista and was divided into two sessions: 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:00-4:00 p.m. The program, called “A Trip to the Sea of Galilee,” had a consistent attendance of about 90-110 children daily.
The children, whose native language is Portuguese, learned several songs in English and some basic English vocabulary. In addition, they also learned about Bible stories related to Jesus’ ministry by the sea. Each child received a certificate of participation, snacks, and a bag with school supplies, as the school year was soon to start. A team of more than 25 people was involved, led by Agatha Irish and Yamell Contreras and local leaders from the church.
The public evangelism series, “Alternatives,” was conducted every night simultaneously in two churches, the Central church of Prados in Peruibe and the Church of Pedro de Toledo. Gomez, Enmanuel Contreras, GNYC Youth Ministries director; Elias F. Zabala, Sr., Atlantic Union Conference treasurer; Ysaias Javier, GNYC treasurer; Alanzo Smith, GNYC president, and Reynolds Rodriguez, New York Conference Youth and Young Adult Ministries and communication director, combined efforts to preach the evangelistic series. More than 16 people were baptized.
In addition, a renovation project took place at the Vila Peruibe church. The major renovation included several parts of the structure. The interior walls and the wooden ceiling were completely polished and carefully painted, a new floor was installed, and the roof was renovated and cleaned. Volunteers also updated the exterior front of the church, painted the fence and outside walls, cleaned the front areas, and placed a new church sign on top of the church. Walter Harris, a professional construction developer and the mission trip coordinator for GNYC, oversaw the renovation projects.
The sponsorship and support of the Atlantic Union Conference, as well as the partnership of the New York, Southern New England, Northeastern, and Greater New York conferences, is appreciated. Adventist International Medical Missionaries from the New York Conference, led by Jennifer and Shervin Evans, assisted patients during the day at schools and church buildings and at night during the evangelistic meetings. Several instruments were donated to the Cara Guava music band, composed of more than 50 musicians under the age of 15. They prepared a concert for the group of missionaries and the community using the new instruments.
Every mission is not only different but also a shaping experience in the missionary’s life, faith, character, and thinking. It was amazing to see how people who had never met before came together as one body to reach a goal. It was amazing to see how no one complained about leaving their comfort zone, but each person embraced and developed the task designated to them.
Mission trips are essential because they are a reminder that people should not be valued according to financial, social, political, religious, or marital status but through the eyes and sacrifice of Jesus. The Greater New York Conference Youth Ministries Department is grateful to the team of volunteers and servant leaders who participated and gave so much toward the success of this mission.
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—Enmanuel Contreras, Youth Ministries director, Greater New York Conference
