In Summary 

We’ve previously noted that church planting is slow, this is especially true with a small team. So we’re not at all surprised that things are developing slowly with the Palmas church plant. Even so, things are moving forward, and we are very excited and full of expectation.

We continue pressing in through various strategies, trying to connect with people in the community. We are also encouraged as we see members of our group engaging and identifying more and more with this small church group.

Since our last update some anticipated changes have been initiated and yet other changes have presented themselves. Considered jointly, these developments give us the sense that bigger things are on the horizon. 

We thank you for all your support and ask that you continue praying with us. You are an essential part of what God is doing in Northern Brazil, and we thank you!

Some Developments

First, our friend and church planter, Abilene, has finally moved from Southern Brazil to Palmas to be part of our team. It’s been only a month or so now, but she’s already proven to be an asset to our team helping us take our worship to a new level, bringing a new perspective, and increasing our relational footprint. Our team has just gotten 50% bigger!

Secondly, since April we have been meeting on Sundays rather than Wednesdays.  The whole group was in favor of this change and it marks a subtle but fundamental shift in the level of commitment and the identity of the group. More and more our meetings are taking on the format of a regular structured church service. For our friends who are more leery of church, their continued presence and participation is a significant declaration that the group is relevant and a safe place for the unchurched.

Thirdly, though we have not yet outgrown our space with the regular attendees, we would not have room if all the periodic participants showed up on the same Sunday. So we’re at the point where we need to start looking for a commercial building, before our house rental ends in March 2025. This shift would also provide a better environment for a regular church service format. 

Fourthly, we’ve been praying about when this next step should happen, so we find it interesting that we were just able to sell our Pacjá house this month, allowing us to consider buying something in Palmas. Regardless of the house sale, we would need to move as we only rented this big house to accommodate the church.  Rental of a church facility and selling our house are not necessarily directly related events, but we feel encouraged about the timing and see it as confirmation of what we have already been sensing regarding the next steps for the church. The sale also removes one more anchor as we try to fully invest our attention and resources in Palmas.

In the context of slow, subtle progress, jointly, these changes affirm our sense that God is establishing something significant here in Palmas. Each change represents something we could not possibly do on our own, and the proximity of their timing suggests God is working consistent with the vision He has given us for Palmas.

An expansion of our leadership team, growing commitment by group members, and the promise of a more visible, adequate, and culturally relevant meeting context, collectively are signs that growth and new opportunities are around the corner. All this aligns with what we sense God has been confirming in our hearts for some time now.

Please pray with us as we seek wisdom and discernment concerning a house and the rental of a church facility, as well as what the next steps should be for this group.

Prayer

Please continue praying that God will connect us with key people and give us direction as we seek to guide this group and form a community of Christ followers.

Blessings in Christ,

Keith and Marsha Wilson