Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I want to update you about some exciting things going on here in Macapá, but also share some important needs that we have at the moment.
Since Denise and I arrived here in Macapá, our work and responsibilities have changed dramatically. We started here 7 years ago assisting another pastor at a small church (Vineyard Macapá). We then planted a second church (Vineyard Viva). Then a year-and-a-half ago we were asked by our leadership to pastor Vineyard Macapá after their pastor stepped down. We now find ourselves Senior Pastors of two growing churches and are overseeing the mission and other missionaries here in Macapá. Even though we are presently working through a plan to hand off some of these responsibilities, this is our present reality.
With the growth of our responsibilities and ministry, we have also seen our monthly ministry costs grow significantly. From your monthly donations, Denise and I receive a fixed monthly amount for our personal and family needs, but we also receive funds into an account that is solely used for ministry and benevolent needs. These ministry costs have tripled in the last few years because of the size and scope of our responsibilities. Because of these growing costs, and also because we have lost some of our key monthly supporters due to retirement, we have been struggling to cover our ministry costs every month and have been consistently seeing more money going out than what is coming in.
I want to take this opportunity to share some of the exciting things God is doing here in Macapá, and also share some of our vision for the future and ask that you would prayerfully consider supporting our ministry here.
Vineyard Viva
As we stated in our last update, Vineyard Viva was in search for a new location. Our present building can only hold around 50-55 people and we are quickly running out of space. I am happy to announce that we found our new church building! The space and location exceeded our expectations! It is a much larger space that we can grow into, a much better location, and the rent is within our church’s budget. It is so much more than what we thought was presently possible. Because the space is much bigger than our present church, there are many updates and renovations that we are presently working on (and saving toward) to get space ready for services.
The new church building is located right next to downtown and there is a large young adult population in the area. God has also blessed Vineyard Viva with many young musicians and artists. Our desire in ministry is to always follow God’s lead and to be conscience of what he’s already doing. Therefore, one of the things we are working on in the new building is a café where we will be holding small events/shows/exhibits in order to draw the area’s large young adult population.
Vineyard Macapá
As I’ve already mentioned above, our desire is to follow what God is already doing. With Vineyard Macapá, we have a large population of young kids in the neighborhood that are always hanging around the church. We decided to invest in these little ones.
One huge recent blessing is the money Vineyard Church of Delaware County (our sending church) raised to help us buy air conditioners for the two children’s classrooms we had built. The classrooms will not just be used during our weekend services but will also be used throughout the week. We already have one small group that we started just for kids and are hoping to start more.
Vineyard Macapá’s ‘s new Children’s Wing – before renovation
Vineyard Macapá‘s new Children’s Wing – after renovation
The Noah’s Ark Room
The Jonah Room
Macapá’s Children’s Small Group
This is Denise and me on our way to Macapá 7 years ago.
This is a present-day picture of us. Our ministry isn’t the only thing that has grown!
If you have any questions, concerns or would like more clarity on what we have shared, please email us. We would love to set up a time to talk and answer any questions you have.
