Hey Friends and Family!

We hope you had a wonderful and worshipful start to your Easter season! Our first Easter in our new country was eventful, joyful, and worshipful. 

We have been putting forth a lot of effort into the kid’s ministry as it has grown. As a church, we are emphasizing our kids’ learning to worship and memorize scripture. During Palm Sunday we had the kids participate in the worship service by joyfully celebrating with palm branches and the response of the parents was quite something. You could see the imagination for spiritual formation and wonder on their face as they observed their kids joyfully worshipping during the service. Gathering the palms themselves was quite the adventure as I had to venture into the jungle to cut some branches only to be attacked by biting gnats! It’s always an adventure! During Easter service, the kids were able to recite their verses to the congregation – celebrating the resurrection with the entire church. 

We celebrated our tradition of Easter lunch with another missionary here in Macapa. Narry a plastic egg is to be found here, so we made homemade dye and made our own Easter eggs. The kids hid, hunted, and re-hid the eggs until they literally fell apart. 

This next week Christopher and Denise Meyer, the head missionaries here in Macapa, leave for three months to complete their stateside assignments. The assistant pastors at our two churches will be assuming the full responsibilities over these next few months which is a big step for them. Please be praying for them as well. 

In just a few weeks I (Derek) will be traveling back to the United States for the final residency of my Master’s program followed by graduation! This has been a transformative undertaking for me – and I have made friends that I fully expect to have for the rest of my life. This degree has greatly shaped my thinking and practice, and we fully expect to implement this in our future church planting efforts. Please pray for Amanda and the kids as I travel. 

 Also please be on the lookout for some communication from us around The 300 Campain – which is our effort to grow our prayer support base. 

Much Love, 

Derek, Amanda, Selah, Amaris, Josiah, and Adalee

As we enter into the season of Easter leading to Pentecost I’m struck by the mystery and wonder of this season in the church calendar. I can’t help but think that Jesus likewise found this to be a special time and that the message and ministry He undertook with the disciples would be especially important, pregnant with a sense of urgency as he sought to instruct them and prepare them for the mission that was to come when the Holy Spirit was sent. 

The end of the Gospel of Luke and the beginning of the Book of Acts record some interesting details about what Jesus did at this time. He often ate with the disciples, further elevating and demonstrating the importance of the Kingdom table practice I wrote about in my last newsletter. While eating He often “spoke about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). He told them to wait for the Holy Spirit. He prayed. I also imagined that He played and enjoyed their company. 

But what is particularly striking about the narrative is just how adamant Jesus is about helping his disciples see that all of the scripture pointed towards and prefigured the very events they were now living!

Luke 24:44 -45: “This is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything must be filled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Then he opened up their minds so they could understand the scriptures.” 

One of the Gospel passages that is most near and dear to my heart is the narrative about Jesus meeting the man and woman on the Road to Emmaus. I dearly love this passage and think about it often. It was also the passage we read preceding our weekly communion during worship at our old church. One of the aspects of this passage that I  find absolutely fascinating is the reason for which Jesus admonishes his disciples. He does so not on the basis that they did not believe what He told them before His crucifixion and resurrection, but rather because they were “slow to believe all that the prophets had spoken” (Luke 24:25)!

My sincere prayer for you and for the churches here in Macapa is that we will take this season to have our minds set on what was most on the mind of Christ before he ascended. That what He spent the last 40 days of His earthly ministry hoping to impart to His Church would be present to us. That we would ask the Holy Spirit to show us Jesus in all of the scriptures. That our minds and imaginations would be illuminated by the revelation of Christ in even the hardest of passages, and that we would more fully live into God’s grand plan for the redemption of all things – as the scripture says. 

In this season my prayer for our local churches, and for you who steadfastly support the work here, is that when we gather for Pentecost Sunday we will be able to say along with the disciples on the Emmaus Road: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?”

Prayer Support – The success of our church planting here is very much dependent upon the faithful and fervent prayer of God’s people. If you know someone that might be interested in receiving these updates and praying with us please send this link. They will get an introductory letter about us and the mission when they sign up. 

Financial Support – Our family is currently taken care of thanks to your generosity. However, the recent events surrounding the BRICS economic agreements may bring about a less favorable exchange rate going forward and we may need to undertake some fundraising efforts to make up the difference. We are approaching these next few months in prayerful discernment about how to proceed given these new developments. 

There are always needs here in the churches and if you would like to contribute additional resources please use the link below!

Hey Friends and Family!

This has been quite the month for contrast! On one hand, as we have taken steps of faith by investing in the people and locations that seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us we have seen some growth and momentum in our two churches. People are choosing to welcome Jesus into their lives and begin an earnest discipleship process. We have had some new families begin to participate and new leaders select into the leadership training pipeline. Our current leaders continue to serve faithfully and tirelessly. Our Ministry Times have been fruitful and we have seen physical healing, emotional well-being, and relational restoration. 

At the same time, this was a very difficult month for our family. We had several instances of physical illness, some strong bouts of emotional struggle, running into bureaucratic dead-ends, and some major, unplanned financial expenses. 

We have experienced the reality of the Kingdom of God which is both already a present reality and a not-yet but sure-to-come hope. And yet – in the midst of all of it – the presence of Jesus is sustaining and encouraging us. Like Charles Spurgoen said, “We have learned to kiss the waves that throw us up against the Rock of Ages.”

We appreciate the love, faithful prayers, and support that you all show us. We couldn’t do this without you. 

If you are interested in attending the quarterly partners meeting the link for that is below. Also please be on the lookout for some communication from us around The 300 Campain – which is our effort to grow our prayer support base. 

Much Love, 

Derek, Amanda, Selah, Amaris, Josiah, and Adalee

The Gospels contain this interesting phrase that is repeated three times. 

The Son of Man came to…

“The Son of Man came not be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). 

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10),

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking” (Luke 7:34). 

Jesus came as the self-emptying servant, willing to lay down his life as a ransom for ours in order to draw back a lost and rebellious people into the loving communion of Trinitarian life through teaching about, proclaiming, and demonstrating that the Kingdom of God is available here and now – and will be fully consummated in the future when he restores all things under the lordship of His Father. 

But one of the primary ways he went about this – was to share meals around tables with many different types of people. He literally eats and drinks and fellowships his way through the Gospels. Some of his most profound teachings about the Kingdom of God are given around intimate dinner table conversations. Some of his greatest miracles take place around shared meals – sometimes with as many as 5000 people!

One of the foremost living missiologists is a guy named Alan Hirsch. He observes that “Sharing meals together on a regular basis is one of the most sacred practices we can engage in as believers. Missional hospitality is a tremendous opportunity to extend the Kingdom of God.” 

Taking our cues from Jesus – Amanda and I maintain an evangelical discipline of sharing at least three meals per week with people from our neighborhood or the broader community. Once per month we also host a come-and-go brunch on our patio. The Brazillian people are wonderfully warm and hospitable, and they love to get together for meals. (And I love Brazillian BBQ and coffee!). Around these tables, we are learning the language, learning to really understand our new countrymen and countrywomen, and we are beginning to have some deep spiritual conversations leading to real opportunities for ministry. 

What we have learned in this practice is that many of our neighbors have had terrible experiences with the Church. There is a need for healing and restoration, an opportunity to see Jesus in a new light, and a place for them at His table. 

Please pray for us as we seek to be faithful to the discipline. That we would learn how to be Brazillian, that opportunities for sharing the Good News would continue to be made available to us, and that God would form a discipleship group in our neighborhood.

Prayer Support – I have been working hard on laying the foundation necessary to recruit a robust prayer support network. We need it! The success of our church planting here is very much dependent upon the faithful and fervent prayer of God’s people. If you know someone that might be interested in receiving these updates and praying with us please send this link. They will get an introductory letter about us and the mission when they sign up. Also please share my signup links if you see it on Facebook.

Financial Support – Our family is currently taken care of thanks to your generosity.  There are always needs here in the churches and if you would like to contribute additional resources please use the link below!

Hey Friends and Family!

This has been a busy month for us! Now that we have a modicum of language facility we are able to take additional meetings with neighbors, Brazilian church leadership, and discipleship initiatives. This has all been quite fun and invigorating. 

We launched our services in our new location in downtown Macapa! We have a healthy attendance, not just on Sundays but also in our small groups where more focused discipleship takes place. We also have new leaders rising up and new folks being trained for various ministries. 

We also were able to commission a new youth leader at Vineyard Macapa! See this month’s ministry highlight below for more info and please keep Erica in your prayers. 

Additionally we have assumed some new responsibilities within the two churches and launched a monthly outreach to our neighborhood which has been well received. 

This is also our first Carnival season in Brazil. We are excited to participate in some of the festivities even as we discern what it means to be a faithful witness to Jesus and his Kingdom in the midst of this season. 

Overall our family is doing well and we sincerely appreciate your prayers, texts, emails, and generosity. Thank you for all that you do. 

Please also know that we are praying for you. Taking our cues from Jesus and the Apostle Paul we maintain a discipline of praying for you all regularly. Be on the lookout throughout the month as I reach out to you for prayer needs!

Much Love, 

Derek, Amanda, Selah, Amaris, Josiah, and Adalee

In the Vineyard we place a lot of emphasis on proclamation, teaching, and demonstrating the Kingdom of God in both posture and power. The Kingdom of God is essentially every sphere of life in which God’s presence is attended to and where He has the final say-so. It’s available here and now. And it’s also not yet fully realized and will not be fully realized until Christ returns. 

The typical way this passage is taught would have us strive to have a more child-like attitude with regards to trusting in our Father. We are admonished to approach Him with a posture of childlike humility. Yet for all the admonishment – what is typically left out is the practical how-to. 

The word ‘welcome’ in verse 5 is the word dechomai. It means to embrace, pay full attention to, and offer hospitality to someone. Jesus explicitly states here that when we offer welcome – offer dechomai – to a child – we also receive His presence and enter into the Kingdom of God!

If you desire to “become great” as it were in the Kingdom – Jesus offers a practice. Welcome children and fully attend to their presence. Do this communally in the church and see the Kingdom in your midst. 

At Vineyard Macapa we are attempting to do just that. We recently invested in safe and comfortable meeting rooms specifically for the kids in the neighborhood. As we made space to attend to them God raised up a new leader from our midst to help guide, serve, and teach them – with the full support and attention of the church. 

On Sundays the kids stay with us during our time of worship, giving, and the Lord’s Supper and then go their classroom to receive tailored instruction and ministry time. During the week we have small groups specialficlaly for kids and a youth group! The Holy Spirit is inviting Vineyard Macapa to love and serve the kids of this neighborhood and is opening up a door to reach the neighborhood through this ministry. 

Recently Erica felt invited by the Holy Spirit to assume the role of leading the youth group. She has a true heart for them, and this last month the church recognized her commission from Jesus to serve these precious kiddos! 

Please be in prayer for her as she is assuming her new responsibilities and for the church as we follow the teaching of Jesus and the Spirit’s guidance in extending the Kingdom into the neighborhood!

• Recently Amanda and I have assumed the role of coordinating the children’s ministry at Vineyard Viva. Additionally one of us serves weekly in the ministry. This has been a joy and has also helped our kids become more involved in the life of the church. 
• I have also assumed the role of treasurer at Vineyard Viva. Our previous treasurers served faithfully and well, but reached a point where they could not continue. 
• I also serve in the kids ministry on Saturday evenings at Vineyard Macapa. It suits me well because I have the Portuguese proficiency of a young kid. We tend to relate! 
• We are doing well in our physical health and have been making it a priority to eat well and exercise daily. 
• Our kids continue to develop friendships and are coming along in their Portuguese lessons with Teacher Abi!
• We are thoroughly enjoying getting to know our neighbors and are starting to have spiritual conversations with them! Game night is a blast and since they have learned that I am a Texan – they are after me for some Texas-style BBQ. 
• Learning how to keep up with the laundry for 6 people in the wet season with no dryer is a real challenge, but we are learning some of the tricks of the trade.

Prayer Support – I have been working hard on laying the foundation necessary to recruit a robust prayer support network. We need it! The success of our church planting here is very much dependent upon the faithful and fervent prayer of God’s people. If you know someone that might be interested in receiving these updates and praying with us please send this link. They will get an introductory letter about us and the mission when they sign up. Also please share my signup links if you see it on Facebook.

Financial Support – Our family is currently taken care of thanks to your generosity.  There are always needs here in the churches and if you would like to contribute additional resources please use the link below!