Clenildo is the founding pastor of the Altamira Central Church. This church started in Clenildo’s home as a cell groups. Elba was in Grade 12 high school at the time and she joined the Altamira team, moving there with our family. Elba was part of these first house groups. Clenildo and Elba are both pastors of large churches in Altamira now, and also Regional Coordinators for Northern Brasil at a national level.
Years ago we were relatively new missionaries and local pastors. The way I remember it, us missionaries felt swamped with caring for many young churches we were responsible for. I don’t think we had planted a new church out of the Altamira congregation for about two years. Then Clenildo got an idea from the Lord, “We are going to plant 10 new churches this year.” So that is what he started to do. He talked about it for awhile. Then he got on his motorbike and headed out in the Assuriní region. Slowly people joined him, including us missionaries. If I remember right he had 10 little church plants started by the end of the year, and he jump started our church planting efforts. The Altamira team now has well over 40 churches and church plants now.
Fast forward to last week. Clenildo told me he feels God is asking him to plant 7 city churches in 7 northern states here in Brazil. These city churches will become training and sending centers for their regions. He doesn’t have a clue how to do this, but the Lord told him to just start talking about it so that is what he is doing. Could this be a little of what Jesus meant when He said (loosely paraphrased), “Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a little, now I will give you cities.”? Clenildo, Angelita and two small children had no much more than a wooden canoe, a black bicycle and faith in a big God when they moved to Altamira. I look forward to watching God’s blessings continue to unfold in their lives, and to being a part of this dream of reaching Northern Brazil. Please pray with us…and if you can think of a way you would like to help, please let me know.
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