Training Leaders in the Amazon

By Joã0 Quadra

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, greetings from the heart of the Amazonian Rainforest!! 

We recently held two large meetings to train indigenous leaders. The first, in May, took place in the Kenjam Village with 300 students. Next, we met with about 130 students in Ratxopreti Village in September.

We taught Biblical theology and pastoral practice, including many topics. How can we take care of congregants? What should we consider when conducting services in villages?  How might we deal with situations involving conflict? 

Our teaching comes from the Bible; correct training is “the apple of the eye of the missionary project.” Through this work we have access to the most remote and difficult-to-reach villages. We want to train leaders who teach and transmit the Gospel in the villages. 

We had a very curious case. When I heard about a new village congregation that had been formed very far away and could only be accessed by boat, I thought, "We will have to visit these villagers and start teaching from scratch!” 

However, when we visited this village, here is what I noticed from afar. A building was made of coconut branches. We realized it was a church complete with a pulpit, benches, and even a worship schedule when we got closer. I couldn't resist and cried, thinking, "How is there a church here? We had never been here before!" 

Then I realized that an indigenous man called Yatu had moved to this village. Previously, he was one of our students and began gathering these villagers. That’s how this church was formed. 

God has shown us, day after day, that this is the way to reach the largest number of villages and ethnic groups in the Amazon region. Because of this strategy, we now have 18 churches planted. In more than 30 villages, at least one person is testifying to Christ. Pray with us because, in 2024, we have two more training meetings scheduled, in April at Metuktire Village, (Cacique Raoni Village) and in July at Aldeia Baú Village.

Photo by João Quadra. João is the leader of the Brazilian Evangelical Indigenous Mission, MEIB, and he is supported through LAM and other organizations.