Region holds first Missions Congress
Belo Horizonte
In an effort to heighten the importance of missions, Brazilian Church leaders organized and held the South America Region's first Missions Congress.

Nearly 500 Nazarenes from throughout Brazil met July 9 - 12 in Belo Horizonte for 10 workshops on such topics as short-term missions, how to raise funds for missions, and Compassionate Ministries. Special sessions also addressed urban ministries in the “Sertão Brasileiro," Brazil's 10/40 window, a very poor and dry area known for problems with idolatry.

Among the event's special speakers were the South America Regional Director Bruno Radi, Brian Utter, the Region's radio coordinator, and Marty Hoskins from Nazarene World Headquarters.

“It was a mile marker in Brazilian missions," said the event coordinator, Marcos Monteiro.

Several participants agreed to join a mission trip to northern Brazil for July of next year, while others signed up for the missionary training program that the field offers.

The Brazil field plans to host the Missions Congress every two years, with the next one in 2006.
--NCN News-SAM

For more information on the South America Region, please visit www.samnazarene.org.