Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Burrell Gary Pam 1978 Brazil PDF
Burrell Gary Pam 1978 Brazil PDF
Burrell Gary Pam 1978 Brazil PDF
Phone
(062) 233-3811
NO. I
The youth conference will be held in the Federal District next year at the First
Church of Christ of Gama.
the Vila Nova congregation. It was growing. But, on January 22nd, and without a word of criticism having been uttered to anyone outside of the congregation against the minister, the
Vila Nova church fired him. All of the other Christian Churches here in Goiania
during the days of January 27 to 29. Although there were not 1,000 youth as there had been last year, the facilities
were nevertheless taxed to their limit
Problems, but Progress. Sometime ago, I wrote of a certain minister who came to preach at the Vila Nova congregation and succeeded in also dominating a sister congregation, Setor Universitario. This arrangement with Setor Universitario lasted for approxi mately one year. Last August, the congregation at Setor
Universitario asked Mendes and me to
had had the impression that the congregation was happy with him. And, although no one was liking the situation, no other church or person had interfered with the local autonomy of that congregation. This move took everyone by surprise, especially the minister. We, churches and missionaries alike, all had thought that he so controlled the leadership of the congregation that there was no way for the people to get rid of him. But, they did. Normally, a church up-heaval like this
causes a lot of friction. But, all of this died
27th of August.
Since that time, the church at Setor Universitario, where I also serve as "counselor" with the minister, has had its
away after a couple of weeks. The only problem that the Vila Nova congregati<)n has now is space- there is not enough of it! The building is filled to capacity at every
service. One of their extension course-trained Elders was cho.s<n to be
specialized Christian service was given and 33 young people and adults came
forward. Theservices were all well-attended and
shareof problems. However, I am happy to be able to report that it seems that Joao
Neilson, the minister, has at last been able
the spirit was good. Ulysses preached at the closing session and an additional 31 young people and adults presented themselves for some type of Christian
vocation. This makes a total of 64 new
to make some progress during recent weeks and the church is on its way to
the official "Preaching Elder". And, he is fulfilling his responsibilities quite well. In regard to the former minister, who is
See First Quarter
making a "come-back."
Meanwhile, things were going well at
Pa^e Two
t 0
SAUi
MISSIONARY MINI-REPORT
During the first quarter, I preached 23 times in 7 churches; was involved in 6 couoselling meetings with church leaders; participated in 2 men's retreais, 1 youth congress, and 1 3-day inter-church fellowship meeting; led 1 5-day clinic; and held 3 campaigns. Results-33 volun
teers for Christian service and 185
First Quarter
a little "bull-headed" (what minister isn't?), he has learned a lot from this
temporary set-back, your prayers are needed for God to raise up a leader for this small group of believers in Rubiataba.
experience. Although it has been especially painful for him and his family, it was good for his spiritual growth to have
suffered this reversal at this time. This
with this congregation since its beginn ing. It was decided that the following
should be done:
goes, the congregation that he serves is going to grow. Set-back. In regard to the congregation in Rubiataba that had been doing so well up until recently, the Devil finally got a
toe-hold in it.
FINANCIALREPORT
(Boxed in)
I arrived in that city to "set-up" for the services originally scheduled for March 30th-April 2nd. However. I soon found out that it was going to be impossible to hold any type of revival meeting there. ' The problems were many, but there were only two possible solutions: (1) A change in the leadership; and, (2) A change of location for church services. It happened like this. A large family, composed of several grown sons and daughters, moved to Rubiatabia and began worshipping with the Christian Church there. Inasmuch as they had been immersed and had expressed their
desire to work for the restoration of N.T.
The Field Financial Report has been made up and sent out to the churches. If you did not receive one, but would like to have a copy, please contact our Forwarding Agents. Their address is on the
mast-head of this newsletter.
1978 IKCOKE
JAN
FEB
50.00
Arizona
Phoenix, C Bledeoe
Connecticut
30.00
25.00
10.00
320.00 30.00
l*0-00
10.00 80.00
30.00
Ult.OO
195.00
70.00
Christianity, they were well-received. One married daughter and her husband moved into the vacant janitor's quarters of the church in order to take good care of the rented building. Like many families, this one also has a "black sheep". And, like many others, this i one demonstrated the attitude of "my family, right or wrong." The black sheep" wanted to marry one of the out-standing girls of the city and his family asked the minister to participate in it. Edivaldo, being against this particular union, declined the honor. The marriage, now proven to be a poor one, was performed without his presence. The family then started one of the most
vicious "character assassination" cam
88.''O 30.00
150.00
78.30
30.00
30.00
100.00
71.62
30.00
E^^tiberty, CofC
H Crable
Uo.oo
tJO.OO
10.CO
Titusvllle, First C
Georgia
Atlanta, N Druid C 100.00 Col Prk, D Jaooby Dunwoody, 0 Tanguay E Point, A Walker 50.00
Westside C 60.00
100.00
36.00
50.00
10.00
10.00
225.00 60.00
10.00
10.00
60.00
10.00
KcDonouth, K Huddleston
60.00
5.00
West side C
60.00 75.00 250.00 U8.00 75.00 125.00
2.00
38.33
25.00
10.00
20.00
75.00
76.66 25.00
10.00
Erwin, First C
B B D I Banner Burrell Evans Price
350.00
10.00 100.00 100.00
350.00
20.00 100.00 10.00 100.00
80.00
10.00
Caopbellsburg, C 10.00 Sugar Crk C 50.00 Carmel, Central C 300.rc Clarksville, E-side Columbus, E Col C I3O.OO Garden City CofC 35.00
Converse, CofC 263.00 Evansville, First C Greentown, Kerd.St CU35.0O
B Johnson
80.00
10.00
30.00
20.00
281.03
301.58
50.00 130.00
20.00 100.00
130.00
150.00
85.00
Ul.20
10.00
38.82
10.00
255.00
21*5.00
75,00
10.00
Lone 6ak C
20.83
Indianapolis, E 39 C216.66
Traders Pnt C 200.00
216.66
200.00 200.00
R Roberts
30.00
The care-taker of the church joined the rest of the family in their campaign against Edivaldo. Even though they had
the electricity in the church cut off for two months and tried other measures to get the family to move, the minister and other leaders could not get them to leave the building.
This was the situation when I arrived in
Lawrence, C 30.00 Little 5Cork, C 25.00 Karengo, C Memphis, C 55.00 New lbany, H Humohrey
Jeffersonville, C
50.00
30.00 50.00
15.00
50.00
10.00
it?.85
'2.00
^0-00
69.95
iP.OO
30.0c 51.15
25.00
50.00 30.00
100.00
Monthly Totals
Noblesville, C Weatherly
Orleans, Carters Crk C
Salem, Mt Tabor C
a friend 500.00
300.00
288. ?7
100.00 100.00
100 Salary
101 Social Sec
600.00
108.63
6OO,
108,
75. 219.
600.00
102 Insurance
liOO Hetirement
317.8it
75.00
108.63
150.65
75.00
125.00
rfhitestown,
Kcntuckv
Rubiataba to spend a few days teaching the leaders and the congregation. After
300.00
10.00
20.00
10.00
mi
*
9''.8U
20.00
83 S3.01 3610,60
li*
Karvland
9 19
DATES
PLACE
RESULTS
Jan. 4-11
Rio de Janeiro
Jan. 12-15
Held meetings with theBrazilian directors of Outlined 1978 work plan, andresolved torevise
BCEand with the missionlawyer.
matters.
Jan. 19
Leaders are taking initiative in placing the documents of their congregation in accordance with existing legislation.
Jan. 22
Goiania Goiania
Jan. 27-29
Feb. 4-7
Goiania
Goiania
PiresdoRio
Positive.
19 men attended.
Uberlandia,
Minas Gerais
Sao Paulo
Ouro Verde
Neropolis
Mar. 16
Mar. 17-18
Visited to see the possibility of planting a new Positive-next meeting set for April 16.
Held evangelistic meeting. Showed fibns of life, death and ressurection Cancelled evangelistic campaigns; coun selled minister and church leaders.
650 present - 57 responses.
Ipameri
Goiania
1000total attendance - 28 responses. Preacher resigned and congregation moved out of rented building; future of the congre gation is uncertain.
(NovoHorizonte) of Christ.
Mar.30-Apr. 1 Rubiataba
PLACE
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY
The Compassion of Christ Oneof the emotions experienced by our Lord is that of compassion. Of course. His teaching abounds with references to
Apr. 2-12
Apr. 13-15 Apr. 16
Goiania
Sao Paulo
Visiting two congregations, gathering church growth information and conferring with Moacir.
\
compassion. Christ commends the com passionate concern ofthe good Samaritan, and warmly presents the loving attitude of the waiting father who welcomed back the penitent prodigal, just as He criticizes
the wicked servant who would not show
Preaching and meeting with the people in Orizona concerning the establishment of a congregation
there.
compassion after being Himself treated with mercy (Luke 10:33; 15:20; Matthew
18:23-25).
Apr. 17-26
Goiania
May 14
Orizona
May 15-22
Palmeiropolis
Working in an evangelistic campaign attempting to establish a new congregation with workers Iron and
Luis.
compassion. He reveals the tenderness of His heart in dealing with human need. The Gospels are filled with stories tellingofthe deep feeling, the profound sensibility, of His loving heart. Pity, sorrow, tender ness, affection, yearning, loving-kindness stir within Him. His heart goes out to men and women in their misery, and. because He is compassionate, desired wonders
become realities. (Taken from "Moved
June
Central Brazil
Family Notes
As the children and I were looking at picture albums the other day, I began to
remember how .small the children were
hand, Tony has a farm with lots of tools and equipment with which Timmy enjoys working. Tony's 15year-old son, Charlie, recently arrived to spend a month with his
Dad before returning to England to boarding-school. He brought a skate board and is teaching Timmy to use it while Timmy helps him with Portuguese
also.
when we came to Brazil in May of 1970. Timmy was just three; Jennifer was not yet two; and Amy was only nine-monthsoid. Juliana was not born until two days
after our first Christmas in Brazil. Then the next November, Jonathan came
JENNIFER
along. You who read our newsletter regularly have accompanied the children as they have grown through this "Family Notes" .section. But, to help you know
them better, I havedecided in this issue to
include further information on each of them. JULIANA
Jennifer's birthday is July 2nd. She is nine-and-a-half and in the 5th grade.
Jennifer's main interest outside of church
and school isolympic gymnastics. She has a good combination of strength and agility and does quite well at her chosen sport.
Jennifer is the social secretary of the family. She always has some plan in the making for going some place or doing something. She loves to visit her friends
at their homes or farms or to have them to
enjoys working puzzles. Actually, Julie's passion at the moment is her baby dolls, as
well as the real live babies whenever she
our house to play. She thoroughly enjoys horse-back riding and took to the
skate-board likeaduckto water. Jennifer
TIMMY "' Timmy was eleven on February 11th, and just two days later began the 6th grade-junior high. Stamp collecting is a hobby he began just two-and-a-half years ago. His collection now includes approxi mately 2,500 stamps. Timmy and the otherchildren all attend school duringthe morning hours. On two afternoons a week, he plays volley-ball in a city-wide, sports program. One afternoon a week, he gives a class to his schoolmates who are having difficulty with English, attracting Timmy the most lately is a farm that a friend of ours bought about 25 miles from Goiania. Tony Butts is a 49 year-old Englishman who spent most of
has a chance to get her hands on one. I have no idea what profession Juliana will choose, but I feel certain she will be a good
mother.
is hoping that her turn to visit with grandparents in the States will come soon-perhaps this year.
J uliana is the clown of our family. There is no limit to the number of funny faces she can make. In fact, it has gotten to the point that she cannot look at a person without
making a face. At the moment she is missing several front teeth. This fact
tends to make her already funny face even
funnier. JONATHAN Jonathan was six on November 27th.
his life in Zambia. Due to the political situation there, he is relocating here in Brazil. Tony is in the process of setting up to raise pigs. Tony and Timmy get along extremely well. On the one hand, Timmy knows Portuguese and can help Tony with is language difficulties. On the other
Amy is eight-and-a-half years old. Her birthday ison August 5th. Amy is a very
lovable child. In fact, if I were to use one word to describe her, it would be "sweet".
Our family can use 1 copy of back issues of any good, inspira
tional magazines, such as: "Christian Life", "Moody Month ly", "Mission Messenger", "Chris tian Digest", "Guideposts", "World Vision", etc. Also, copies of children's periodicals can be used. Check your Post Office for mailing procedures. Write "Livros e Revistas Usadas" on the box
He is in the first grade. At times, he is very frustrated and, at other times, elated as he goes through the process of alphabetazation. Once Jonathan is completely comfortable reading and writing in Portuguese, I will teach him in English as I did each of the others. Right now, a bicycle seems to be Jonathan's favorite past-time. The tubes in his tires would probably set a record for the number of patches they have. He seems to have a special ability for attracting nails, staples, and any other pointed object in the general vicinity where he happens to be riding. Fortunately, there is a small bicycle repair shop just a block from our house. So grow the Burrell children. We are
ever so thankful for each of our children. It
receive top scores on their gymnastic performances. It is very interesting for me to note that, while their respective abilities are comparable, their styles are completely different. While Jennifer and Amy are very close in age, size and general appearance, the great difference in their personalities makes me ever aware of the necessity for
us to understand them and deal with them
time. However we are looking forward to the time when we all hope to be in the States together in a few years (probably December, January, and February 1981).
"Pam
ifi-
llt
Ci
"An Italian Mother with her Daughter and $on--the Beginning of a Church in
Orizona?"
rwmmm:
j . .
HARANATA
autonomous bodies.
As a result, the "pastoral" missionary in many cases has become involved in only a local ministry. He has served as the "preacher", struggling to get the new
work "on its feet."
elite club (the Jockey Club, for example) is a thingto be DESIRED. But, to belongto a small, local, independent, weak, strugg ling, and open (non-exclusive) group is a thing to be DISDAINED.
B. ANALYSIS OF THE TIONAL GOAL IN BRAZIL. TRADI
that our full cooperation in their second-rate program may work out much better than their non-cooperation in our first-rate (??) program." It does not seem possible, butfour years and seven months will have passed before I get to see you agian personally this Fall. Thus, good communication between us is an absolute necessity. For this reason, I want to share with you what Pam
and I are THINKING as well as what we are DOING.
Many times I have seen a faithful, hard-working missionary pin his hopes on a "Timothy" of his and wait for him to
mature or to return from the Bible institute to "take over" the work. Then,
Even though my thoughts at the present are not completely defined, let me suggest that the traditional goal of a local
church established has several weak
nesses. It is my conviction that our traditional goal WAS correct as an intial objective during the pioneer phase of the
Restoration Movement here in Brazil.
and the other did not return, he, nevertheless, has stood firm and has continued his ministry to the faithful few. However, the real crisis arrives when his
But, the traditional goal should have been looked upon only as an intermediate objective, not the ultimate goal. The
Restoration Movement has now been here
church-planting evangelism. Since 1972 and always using the team approach, I I have helped to start six new
congregations here in Central Brazil.
in this country for thirty years. For this reason, I think that our traditional goal in
Brazil needs to be reconsidered.
At times, a colleague will be able to "pinch-hit" for the missionary while he is on furlough. But, even this arrangement can be problematic inasmuch as the
orientation of the substitute may be different from that of the 'regular missionary leader. Statistics show that many of our
missionaries and their families never
have done here over thepast thirty years; 2) It ignores the fact that a Brazilian
Christian Church has indeed been formed
a Christian Church missionary, should take the following steps in regard to establishing local congregations: 1) to evangelize; 2) to raise up disciples; 3) to prepare leaders; and, 4) to plant the
church.
in Brazil. This point of view seeks to offer the Gospel to as many people as possible. It tries to winthe responsiveones,disciple these converts, select prospective leaders
from these and train them in order to
missionaries may feel that, because of their experience, personal inclination and the opportunity to teach missions in a Bible college, their new ministry should be to prepare new workers there in the States for foreign service. What is the result? Often, the result is
that the new "missions teacher" has a
evangelize (i.e. of the church planting the church, which in turn plants another church), because it is so independent and exclusive that it sees only the foreign missionary as the catalyst in church
growth. I am convinced that, if Brazil is to be won to Christ, Brazilians and Brazilian
churches will be the ones to do it.
establish the local church. Then, according to this plan, when the church is
4) And, the traditional goal, with its emphasis that missionary out-reach is the work of a few foreign individuals (not
related to a Brazilian church as such)
v/ith its own minister and is capable of self s'ipport, the missionary has reached
does this strategy usually work out in a country (or area) where the pioneer phase of missionwork has already taken place?"
HereinBrazil, itusuallygoessomewhat
like this. The basic premise of the missionary using a traditional approach is that, out of his evangelistic efforts, Christ
will "draw all men" unto Himself and that
goingtosay somethinglikethis: "You, as a missionary, are sent out by the churches to evangelize, to disciple, to train leaders in order to plant a church (or, THE church, if you please)." Let me try to summarize briefly the theory and the practical results of the pointofview presented above. Initially, it
understands the individual convert to be
tryingto win some convertsto disciple and to form into a new, small assembly of independent believers, does not take into
account the moderate level of nationalism
climate, achieve a highly productive ministry while attempting to maintain a low personal profile? He cannot, is he uses the traditional method, for this approach
requires that he take the "lead" and be almost always in the "front".
C. OUR PHILOSOPHY OF MISSION
WORK.
As his evangelistic work follows this pattern, there are results. However, the evangelistic witness is soon reduced
For sometime, oneofour objectives has been to discover God's strategy for
See Traditional
because the missionary, who already has his hands full, turns to discipleship. From those who are willing to study with him, he
Page Seven
Traditional
winning Brazil to Christ and to become
co-operate with Brazilian believers and colleagues in a plan that will have Christ
and His church as its center and to which new believers will be drawn.
Thank
You
Dear friend,
1)We have accepted what Christ said to Paul (Acts 9:6) and Cornelius (Acts 10:6),
Thus, even though we are in churchplanting evangelism, we do not have an isolated and independent local assembly as the goal of our ministry. Rather, we have always seen ourselves as part of a trans-cultural team, joined together as
co-laborers with our Brazilian brethern in
2) In regard to our specific work and mission, we have claimed God's promise to Moses: "And.. .1.. .will teach you what you
shall do," (Exodus 4:15).
striving to reach out to the lost and to bring them to the person and Body of
Jesus Christ.
leaders, we depend on God's helping us to recognize His choice of leaders as he showed Samuel his choice of the young David. "And I will showyouwhatyou shall
do" (I Samuel 16:3). Since we first arrived here on the field,
that many, many people failto understand that world evangelization is a basic truth of the Scriptures, that it is an essential part of God's plan of redemption and an inescapable duty and privilege of the
Church. Indeed, many Christians seem to think that they can treat the mission of the
Recently, while responding to letters from Donald McGavern and Harry Baird in connection with their research projects
on the Christian Church in Brazil, we outlined our plans and activities, some of
which are:
evangelism, or does He view it as the means of widespread and effective evangelism? It seems to me that God has always
viewed the church as the Bride of Christ
1) Over-all purpose. We are here to honor God and to proclaim the "Good News" in Jesus Christ, by means of an evangelistic association and the "Mother Church" concept, in full co-operation with our Brazilian colleagues to achieve the following: a) To work through the national church to plant the church (new congregations) according to Scriptural principles; b) To make disciples of Jesus Christ for
the fulfillment of the Great Commission;
an annual mission emphasis but, for the rest of the year, missions is forgottenexcept, perhaps, for meeting the mission budget. Furthermore, some Christians
view missionaries and those who advocate
missions as hobbyists, as if the cause of missionsisto be identified with prophecy, typology and numbers in Scripture.
However, OUR contact with YOU
throughout the years has shown us that you understand that world evangelization is not optional, but that it is essential. In your letters to, or conversations with, us, you have stated your conviction that
missions must be looked upon as the very
heart ofthe Bible, that God Himselfset the
and as the means of increasing the number of His off-spring. In Acts 8:3ff, it was the church that was being persecuted and it was the church that was evangelizing. God is tremendously interested in every person in the world. We consider the individual to be the ultimate goal and not the beginning. We think of the church here in Brazil as the beginning, not the
c)To participate fully inthe trainingand development of leaders for the churches already established and to be established;
and,
d) To encourage and work toward the deepingof missionary interest, vision and
out-reach in all the churches with which we have contact.
pattern in loving the world and that every Christian must have a global view and must be concerned about the progress of the Gospel through-out the world.
When we have friends who understand
end. Wethinkofthe church as the place to begin to reach out to every person in the
world. We believe that the church is the
2) Objective. Our objective is to be actively involved in aggressive evange lism looking toward the establishment of local congregations and to work unceas ingly for the unity, the numerical and spiritual growth of the already estab
lished churches in the Central Brazil area.
and act upon them, we are left free to dedicate ourselves completely to Him and
to the communication of the "Good News"
end.
1)Mission will become the enterprise of the Body here in Brazil and not just the work of a few select, foreign individuals;
2) We missionaries will have to work
within the frame-work of the Brazilian branch of the Restoration Movement in
over-all plan and concept that will work through the Brazilian church as God's
vehicle in this area of the world, as His
congregations by August 1978. 4) Strategy. Our strategy will be to use the "sound-truck" equipment in "openair" meetings using the team-work approach for "in-depth" evangelism and good "follow-up" (house-to-house visita tion and teaching for new believers). In addition, we have long-range plans which we hope to realize after my time of reporting to the churches in the States. We will be sharing these plans with you in
future newsletters.
point out two things in relation to you and your mission gifts to BCE. As partners in mission, what we accomplish in evange lism here is also part of your accomplish
ment. In other words, your gifts have enabled many to hear of Christ, to believe in Christ, to be baptized into Him and His Church, to be pardoned by Christ and to grow in grace and the knowledge of Him. Secondly, we not only want to thank you for the FA(3Tof your gifts to us for mission work, but also for the WHY these gifts
were made.
Body for out-reach, instead of our working only through individuals to form a new isolated body; and,
We hope that this type of sharing will enable you to be more aware of the complexities of a cross-cultural, evange listic ministry. And, we hope that your
awareness will enable you to be an even
Sincerely yours,
can not only save out of sin but can save from sin? Do they steer those little feet toward the cross of Christ and help those
No! Not until its last available dollar has been consecrated to the Lord and His
work; not until every scrap of God-given energy has been put to use; not until every
son and daughter have been offered for
service: not until there is not a man under
Community? Really, now, has it? I know it's there. I know it preaches the Gospel (it
does, doesn't it? If not, what are you doing there?). I know it is considered an
Influence for good" (or is it?). I know it places at the disposal of the community the message and the influence of the Gospel. But, your church has not paid its debt to the community until it has placed the Gospel before the community in such a way that every boy and girl, every man and woman in that community has either accepted or rejected the Gospel. That should spur you and me on. Our neighbors may be unsaved, but God forbid that they
should remain so because of our failure to
Does your Sunday School recognize its responsibility to develop character in the lives of its youthful converts by planned character-building programs? When every possible boy and girl in your community has been reached and won and developed for Christ, then your debt is paid. But, it will never be paidlSuppose the debt to your community were paid. Suppose your church has successfully infiltrated every inch of territory possible in its own environs. Then, let me ask you, how about its debt to the regions beyond? The apostle Paul presents a tremen dous catalog of sufferings in the 11th chapter of 2 Corinthians-beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, journeyings, perils, weariness, painfulness, hunger, thirst, fastings, cold and nakedness. Let's ask
him if he feels that he is entitled to an
The SecretofEndurance
A sheet of notepaper bearing a few lines in Hudson Taylor's writing reveals, perhaps more than anything else, the
secret of his inward life.. .Found between
the pages of his diary, it brightens the record with unexpected radiance. From
the brief entries in the book itself, one
Greeks, and to the Barbarians: both to the wise, and to the unwise." Oh, let me ask you:
3. Has Your Church Paid its Debt to
do our part.
Millions Lying in Darkness? Has it paid its debt to the suffering religionist of the South Seas who carves and cuts and maims himself trying to
atone for his own sins, blind to the fact that
learns little; but, that well-worn paper, used evidently as a marker and moved on from day to day, what does it not reveal? Lord Jesus, make Thyself to me A living, bright Reality; More present to faith's vision keen .Than any outward object seen; More dear, more intimately nigh Than e'en the sweetest earthly tie. ,Was it not the answer to this daily prayer that made endurance possible?
(Taken from Dr. and Mrs. Howard
Doyour teachers tell the children about Jo.seph and David and John as if they were
MotherOoose characters, or do they point
these little hearts to the Lamb of God, who
gods, until it has declared unto India the god of whom Paul spoke when he stood on Mars' Hill and preached the Gospel of salvation? Has it paid its debt to the congo.
TN & VA
-S .2 E
L" -e "o ?
SPECLALPROJECT--
RADIO EQUIPMENT
Oct. 1st to Nov. 19th KY-IN-IL Nov. 20th to the 30th TN Dec. 1st to the 7th GA Dec, 8th to the 17th FLA
O
Ci)
</)
-J
.:5 o
,o
z
2:
Ul J
<c
<
>
ui
cq
c
O
^
IS.
CQ s
<
< CsJ o
1 r-<
r-4
a. o
<
QC
X
u
o>
IJ ^ S
0 VJ -2 a
00
o I
could set up a powerful, regional radio station for evangelistic purposes. The church also was given permission to import DON ATED radio equipment. Would you want to help with a project of this type? Do you know where we might get technical information for deciding about equipment needs for setting up such a radio station? Do you know where we could obtain new, simple equip ment, or used equipment in good shape, etc.? Any help would be appreciated. Send any informa tion, etc., to our Forwarding Agents. Thank you.
Momm?
Old Address:
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
New Address:
Name Address
City
State _
Zip
JERALD and LYNDA HUMPHREY. F-orwdrAinji Rural Route 2. Campbellsbm-g, Indiana 47108
B
g
SECOND
QUARTER
REPORT -
SUMMER 1978
city. The campaign in Jim's area was first. Rain and some cool weather kept the attendance down to 300-400 nightly. However, at the end of the campaign, we
had 75 cards with names and addresses of
most important ones of the quarter. In addition, I spent the first two weeks of April gathering church growth statistics for the Goianiaarea. As I worked during the rest of the quarter, I collected church growth data
wherever I went.
In early January, the Bruce Colson family and the Jim Bunch family returned from the
States. Both attended the Convention of Christian Church missionaries in Rio de
people who wanted to go further with the initial step toward a walk with Christ that they had taken during the campaign. During the campaign in Bruce's work area, we had an average attendance of 1.000 nightly. When we took stock of the responses we had received, we found that Bruce also had 75 contacts ready for follow-up work. Atthepresenttime, two young Christian
Churches exist in Cuiaba. Both mission
toward the construction of a meeting place. We have <li.soovtT(>d that there is no good place in the town that can he used as a temporary meeting place. Rice is stored in every empty storeroom. The men feel that work toward adequate physical facilities is something they can do as they grow spiritually and pre[)are to lead in the
establishnn^nt of this Nc^w Testament witness in Orizona. Kach situation in which we work in
made plans for a "sound truck" campaign in Cuiaba that would open the area to their plans for church planting. On April 27th, I left Goiania for Cuiaba to see these plans
become a reality.
aries report frequent baptisms. The last report from Bruce was that twelve adults had just been baptized and six more were to be baptized very soon. Bruce recently stated, "The campaign with the "sound truck" put my work several months ahead and opened doors to me that would not have otherwise been opened."
We found the situation in Cuiaba an
church planting is diff<Tent from every other. It is a real challenge; to apply and a<lapL methods to parti<'ular situations. The fourth church {)lanting attt^mpt took plac(! in the intc^rior of the statt! of Minas
Gerais. a littUM>v(!r two hundrtMl miles from
Brasilia. In earlicT n^ports we have r(;lated th(! story of Haltezar, a man who was
r(!ach(!d for Christ in a "soun<l truck"
population is approximately 290,000 and the growth that is taking place there is
unbelievable.
people in the city have made a move recently and, therefore, are open to change in their traditional beliefs. Several people
we found had once been active in one church
group or another but had neglected their spiritual growth since moving to Cuiaba or had left their particular group and had not
found spiritual direction. I returned to Goiania on May 9th leaving Jim and Bruce with the follow-up work to
do.
MINI REPORT
campaign in the satellite; (;ity of Brasilia (iarly in 1973. Since that time, he has be<'f)m! a leader and church planter. Baltozar r(!qu(!sted BCK's help in l)eginning a n(!w congn!gati<in not far from the town where h(! is presently working. The campaign w<.'nt well. When we Uift, iialU)zar had 83 contacts to follow-up and great enthusiasm for th(?n(!W congregation that h(! is planting. In a<Ifiition to campaigns aimeri toward church planting, we have also held three campaigns this quarter aimed toward
(jvangelism for the growth of existing congregations. From May 1.5th-22nd, I worked with a minister in Palmeiropolis, an interior town her(! in Goias of approximat!ly 3,500
During the second quarter and in a team-work effort. I held 4 campaigns for planting new churches, 3 cam paigns for growth in already-existing congregations and co-ordinated 1 training retreat for workers. Results -2 new congregations definitely established and awaiting news about
athird congregation, with an over-all total of 304 persons making the first step in submission and obedience to the Lord-ship and Savior-hood of
Jesus Christ.
growth is planned for August 1979. Three weekends of this quarter were devoted to another church planting effort
here in the interior of Goias in the town of
Orizona. The progressive meetings with interested people have revealed a need for a
New Testament witness in the town and the
people. Luis requested my help in an evangelisticemphasisin hiscommunity. He felt strongly that only th<; traditional
method of house-to-house visitation and
desire of a core of about twelve people to be a part of such a body of believers. The death of the teen-age son of one of the two principal leaders delayed the progress of the church planting plans. But, the small
personal witnessing should be used. I decided to help him in this effort, even though I am convinced of the value of the
Continued On Page 2
Paulo as our speaker. Dr. Shedd is the son of a missionary and was born in Boliviain 1929.
average of 75 people in attendance in our nightly meetings. Eleven adults accepted Christ as their Savior. In addition, my relationship with Luis grew. Now, he wants
me to return with the "sound truck" for
He graduated from Wheaton College and Faith Theological Seminary. He then earned a PhD. at the University of Edinburg. He is an author, seminary
professor and minister of an interdenomi
progress. Along Transamueaia the gov- ^ srnment has set apart a sixty mile strip on each side for settlement and development.
In the fresh red wake of the bulldozers
"green heU". Poor Brazilians with good credit ratings, farming experience, a capacity for work and a family are given free
transportation, 250 acres of land, a small wooden house and loans up to 2,250 dollars
another campaign in 1979. From June 8-llth. meetings were held in Ipameri, an interior town here in Goias of
Testament. Devotions were given by several ministers. Methods of evangelism were discussed. Locations for opening new
works were suggested. Round-table dis cussions were held in regard to problems with the work. Missionary Dale McAfee
to improve the land. Brazil's military regime is opening the greatest of earth's remaining frontiers and tapping there the
unimaginable natural resources (an esti
presented two studies in "church growth" stressing the importance of keeping good
records.
One real highlight of this quarter was a training retreat that BCE sponsored in Anapolis for national leaders and mission
aries.
Twenty-two men participated fully in the retreat with others attending certain
sessions as their schedules allowed.
Why are these developments so impor tant to mission strategists and church planters?Because, as the CGRILA (Church Growth Research in Latin America) team found, the growth of Brazilian Evangelical Churches has gone hand in hand with
In September 1975, BCE began spon soring one-day fellowship meetings and training retreats of this nature. The attendance has always been good and interest has grown through the years. The next retreat will be held September 7th-9th and will be completely planned and carried out by our Brazilian colleagues. We were very fortunate at the Anapolis
I feel that this quarter has been a significant one from many angles. As I
seed-sowing work done during this quarter willgerminate and I have every expectation
that when I return, I will be able to share
with you concerning the fruit for the Kingdom in Central Brazil
replete with lessons for church planters.) Migrating People Are Opening Other Frontiers. To be sure, internal migration is
in the main from rural to urban all over the
Brazilian people occupying merely one quarter of the national land area. To
determine where he can labor most
profitably, in terms of persons brought to saving faith and useful service in growing
local Christian assemblies, the church
nation. But often special combinations of sociological and economic factors make the semi-occupied areas magnetic to Brazil's mobile people. Besides those settlements created by the new highways there are six other frontiers that have been opened in recent years. These are: 1)the north central portion of Maranhao, 2) those sectionsofthe state ofGoias near the new national capital,
3) north Minas Gerais, 4) the extreme
planter must know which politico-cultural northwestern part of Sao Paulo, 5) region will be receptive to his ministry. He northwest Parana, and 6) pioneer zones in will then need to pinpoint within the region Mato Grosso - the Far West region. those areas where church growth is To locate the church planter's best occurring and can be sustained. opportunity in the Brazilian context we will
National Development Indicates High
Potential Areas. Brazil's new and modern
experiencing great membership growth and in countries concerning which there exists an immense amount of sociological, demographical, developmental and church growth data. Too often the church planter's first question, "Where specifically is church growth happening and likely to continue?" is dcalth with only in the broadest terms.
Great But Not Even Church Growth. As
capital, Brasilia, was constructed in the 1950's to fulfill a long standing national dream of opening the Brazilian hinterland to settlement and development. The Belem-Brasilia highway was then cut through the jungle north from the capital to the port city on the mighty Amazon River. This same highway (BR-14) has also been extended south through the states of Goias, Sao Paulo, and a major part of Parana. When completed, it will span the nation from north to south. The government has reserved a strip six miles wide on both sides of it for the development of cities and
settlements.
Unoccupied lands, boom towns, cattle, poverty, self-styled leaders, posses and Indians are a few of the colorful ingredients that go into making up the exciting Brazilian Far West. We may well call this region the "Brazilian Wild West." A
distinction needs to be made between (a)
"the unoccupied or very lightly occupied lands" of this region and (b) "the frontier
Continued On Page 3
LiteracyProject
We have a slide set with cassette
this size Brazilian Evangelicals had multiplied themselves 129 times since 1900 and are presently growing at three times the national population growth rate. But this great growth is not even throughout the vast country. It could not be otherwise with approximately three quarters of the
Transamazonia is the name given to the east-west highway being pushed with great determination through the Amazon basin. Aboriginal tribes are being contacted, pacified, exposed (sometimes fatally) to twentieth century technology and diseases
tape which explains more fully our literacy-evangelism project and sho
uld be of special interest to ladies' groups. For scheduling, contact
David and Donna Roberts.
Church doubled its national membership between 1960 and 1970 whfle neariy quadrupling itself in the Far West. The secondlargest Evangelical Church in Brazil grew by 466 per cent in the pioneer zones duringthe 1960's (onasmaller baseof 1,500) while its national growth rate was only 151
per cent. In the Far West this second
growth? Where can mission strategists and church planters be the most faithful stewards of the grace of God? Where can
they spend the resources of planning, effort and finances God has given them, in a way to please Him most? In Brazil the answer must be: "the Far West region and more specifically the pioneer zones of the state of Mato Grosso." Those enclaves, receiving numbers of migrants daily and charac terized by rapid economic development and social change, are full of multitudes waiting to be and wanting to be churched. There hangs harvest heavy on the stalk. Send in the reapersl Garner God's grain in rapidly-growing culturally-relevant
churches.
are rudimentary or entirely absent. 'The pioneer zones" are found within the much lost members from its national total larger (a) area as enclaves wherever soil between 1960and 1970, and even it grew in conditions, lines of transportation or the Far West by 31 per cent. planned cities combine to create favorable Where is the Church experiencing great circumstances. The pioneer zones are characterized by rapid economic develop ment, immigration and social change and have tremendous church growth potential. ProtestantExperience in the Wild West. The problem of the basic needs of The Gospel has met with outstanding humanity is an ever present one for we who success in the Far West. The region has five are Christians. C!ompassion is truly a per cent of the national population and four Christian virtue. How often our hearts are per cent of Brazilian Evangelicals. During touched by some lamentable situation. A the 1960's the largest Evangelical Church certain sadness comes over us when we are grew there at a decadal rate of 376 per cent made aware of the state of the common man (on a base of more than 17,000 communi in drought stricken areas in India or of the cants). The Protestant growth experience children dying from malnutrition in in the Far West can be brought into sharp war-torn Africa or the poverty of a family in focus by comparing the regional growth our community. I imagine that we, even rate of a particular denomination with the more that you, are confronted daily with the national growth rate of the same pitiable state of the poor, the sick and the denomination for the same period of time. down trodden. For example, this largest Evangelical But justfeeling is not enough. Something
Church thus tripled itsown national growth rate. Iq fact, during the last decade every Evangelical Church in the Far West grew faster there than its own national average. Only one known Evangelical denomination
equally in the morning, by night there would be the rich and the poor. After all,
even Jesus said there would always be poor people on earth.
4) If those people would only take baths and try to get a job, they would not be so bad
upper fiarlboro, r"irfct C
GEMERAL FUKO IKJ&KE
Arizona
2CC.00 11.0. Ov
APRIL
KnX
"nr'-l Ina
Fheonlx, - Bledsoe
Florida
DO.00
15.00
90.'50
Klghlandp, i- Thilllos
15.00 ijO.OO
^5.00
loU . na
Orlando, Southeast C
Gfcoppia
iiO.OO
20.00
60.00
30.00
10.00
Kills C ^
6C.00
10.00
225.00 60. CO
10.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
50.00 60.00
:.oo
60.00
60.00
3^.33
?0,
5) I really do not know how to help. The money I give might never really get to the people who need it. All of these things have passed through my mind from one time to another. I do not know how you have .settled the question of the oppressed. Personally, I have found a number of ways to give a cup of water in
Christ's name. I want to share with you one avenue by which I feel that I can do .something really significant for those who find life extremely difficult in a number of ways (emotionally, financially, spiritually, etc.) because they are unable to read and
write.
P>rls, LaUe nidge C 1*8.00 Pecrla, a friend ?5-00 ?-^.oTac, H Ten CofC 125.OO
Indlana
S Xhoras
350.CO
lo.cc-
R Surrell 1 Price
J30.0C
160.00
20. CC
30.CO
i^rook, S
Bo. 00
3rowntown, KiJrewer wa'T'obellabure, 2 10.00 -%rmel, central 2 30''-15 woodland Spgs C ^larksvlUe, EastsldelOO.CO SoluThus, t 0 130.00 Garden City 2ofC85.00 Sonv>rse, CofC lUo.OO -vansvllle, Fifst C Orfentown, Kerlilan 500.OO
3". 56
25.0? ?o.3
1*^0.0^'
2^10.08
<i5.C'0
170.0c 150.00
fx
216.66
200.00
?:2.50
60.CC
Jeffet8onvllle, C
K Schurran
50.C0
Ckldi.QTa
Have you ever stopped to think of the darkness and in.security that one would know if he were unable to read? Have you thought of the many doors for job
Totals
5''''-''.955333
I^wrence, C
C
55''l.''9
who is unable to read and write? Have you considered the disadvantage of the
Christian who cannot read the Word ofGod? Most of us are so far removed from
?-alen, Kt Tabor C
a frlrnd
Keiphls, C
3''^.rr
100.00
"^O.OO
50.00
-'O.C'O
100.CO
"Of.CC
Scottfrbur^'. First
'.oah 9
1?3.CC
.7lj
10,.00
10,,C0
ICl Soc Sec 10-!.:<J 10? Insurarcd 13?.'-9 r.etlreTieflfc 1CC.50 fOl Su2 ' Phone 5C2 Kews I. CO I'XC X'.sc. Fees 1293.^5
r. Is blips
10''..'^ 3
21.. 00
ICO.CO
ioo.-:c
l"9i2?
9C.63
990.09
illiteracy that we cannot feel the distress and despair of the person who lives with this great handicap. While evangelism and church planting
are the main thrusts of the work of BCE, we
Field Oper,
to.CO
r:. 100,.oc
5^36.59
prepare these biblically-based materials. From time to time women write asking,
"Is there something we, in our small way, can do for you or your work?" If your women's group, youth group, Sunday School Class or you personally are looking for something of real consequence to do, I would challenge you to help meet a literary need here in Brazil. Right now, we have a series of new booklets ready to be printed. There are three student books and the corresponding teacher's manuals. The first printingis to be 2,000 copies of each booklet and the teachers' manuals to accompany these.
travellingin the States, especially in view of the extreme weather conditions of the past
few winters.
adult literacy program here is a Godpleasing way that we can share our
blessings.
In the mean time, we plan to make good use of the time we have before Gary's trip.
The activities of the first semester are over.
The need for literacy work among adults in Brazil is a great one. Progre.ss in Brazil
that the human element cannot always keep pace with technical progress. Gaps are left, such astheone related to adult literacy. The Brazilian government is doing a great deal to alleviate this. But, at best, the government programs do not nearly meet
the need.
Lynn Hicks, a Christian Church missionary in Campinas, Sao Paulo, I have learned how to teach teachers who can work directly with individuals or small groups in literacy
classes.
Lynn has already helped to write books to be used in the literacy program. In September, I plan to help her and the Brazilian literacy workers in Sao Paulo
write more material. The new material that
On June 24th, all three of our girls participated in a special, Olympic, gymnas tic presentation. Jennifer won three medals, one for first place and two for second place. Amy won one second-place medal and was in fourth place in another competition. Juliana is just beginning and hopes she can win a medal next year. School ended on June 30th with a special Fall This work can be done for US $2,400.00 Festival type party. Now, the children are Once the funds are available, the actual enjoying a month of vacation. printing will take one month. Then, the Timmy was hardly out of school before he distribution will begin. Distribution is left to spend a week on the farm of a friend of handled by experienced and capable young ours. The vacation period has also allowed women in an interior town in the state of Sao time for Timmy and Jonathan to travel with Paulo. Gary on one of the evangelistic campaigns. Our two-week vacation of fishing and Should the funds be available by the end of the year, printing could be handled in camping on the Araguaia River is January. Before long, the new, improved, something we have looked forward to all Bible-based literacy material could be in the year. This is the third year we have chosen a hands ofteachers in several states, ready to trip to the river for our family vacation. In begin classes in March, 1979. our next newsletter, I will give you a Consider this opportunity prayerfully detailed report on that trip.
-Pam
is being prepared is based on the scriptures from the very first lesson. Since we are in on the actual writingofthe books, we know the
teaching is biblical. These literacy materials will not be used
only among our churches, but by many other groups. That means that straight biblical instruction will reach people that
we personally would never,hav? a chance to
teach.
your congregation would like to share in this expression of Christian love. Christ said,".. .in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Matthew 25:40
-Pam
Family Notes
During the first half of this year, the children and I have been getting good preparation for Gary's four-month absence this Fall. He has been away most weekends (Thursday or Friday through Monday) and on a few campaigns. Here at home, we have to maintain a great deal of flexibility due to
his schedule.
Believing in the power of the Word of God, we trust that Kingdom growth will result from these literacy efforts. And, we thank
Although Gary's being away for an extended period will be hard on our family, we feel this arrangement for reporting to our supporting congregations is preferable to disrupting the school year for the
children. The three-month vacation that
the children have in December, January and February is not an ideal time for
<
>
UJ
cc <
<
0 O K
0 c
a
z
a
a -
U
c
<
/l
Of
K m M ^
0
c
o O
^
<-i
fl,
O
QC
*-9
I
U
a
J} -**
F
0
u
<
CO
a 0
V
dec 01 "7^
: i
No. 3
the Christian church workers. Several documents have been drafted which will
Twenty-two were present for this retreat which ended officially on August 2nd.
The theme was: "I Shall Be Faithful."
promote unity and the working together as well as planning together periodically. During the days of August 4th, 5th, and 6th. we were able to squeeze in an in-door, revival meeting with the Church
of Christ at Ouro Verde. The Minister,
rejoiced in the chance for more fellow ship with him and for the opportunity for evangelism. During that week-end revival, 13 young people and adults accepted Christ. Our prayer is that they might keep on growing there at Ouro
Verde.
husband, and her family (2 small boys) in your prayers. Up until now, she has always been tremendously supportive and ihelpful in her husband's ministry. Thus ended my active ministry in Brazil for this term for, since I planned to be away for 16 weeks, I wanted to get a little time alone with the family before I left. Thus, we took some time off to go to the Araguaia River for this purpose. After returning from the trip to the Araguaia River, I only had about 15 days to wrap up all the details of the work in Brazil and for my trip here to the U.S. I arrived in Erwin, Tennessee, during the second half of August in order to get in a short visit with my in-laws and my parents, Ralph and Ann Hampton and Roy and Virginia Burrell, respectively, as well as to participate in two meetings
with the BCE Trustees before the time of
An out-door campaign, scheduled for the 11th, 12th. and 13th of July was
cancelled due to the fact that the wife of the minister of the church of Christ of Setor Universitario had a stroke and had
reporting began. Due to the foresight of His people, the problem of transportation had already
been solved even before I left Brazil to
Arising out of this retreat came several planning sessions (July 3rd, August 7th, and September 7, 8, and 9) for the
formation of a Ministerial Association of
to be placed in an intensive care unit of the Naval Hospital in Brasilia. She is only 25 years old and this is her second serious attack. As of the last report, she is still in the hospital. Please remember her, her
travel to the U.S. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Tippin, members of the Mt. Tabor Christian Church near Salem, Indiana, very generously volunteered to provide a car for the duration of the furlough. The car, a 1977 Impala station wagon, is
leased from Bob Thomas Chevrolet in
Thus, since getting some wheels, I have been reporting to as many of our supporting congregations as possible. It has certainly been wonderful to see and visit with lots of long-time friends and to
Continued On Page 2
An Interview
With Ulysses
Ulysses Oliveiva recently contacted me from Brazil asking if he might "ride around" with me as I reported to the churches here on the brief furlough. Naturally, I was delighted with the idea, for Ulysses is not only the minister of the largest Christian Church (650) in Brazil, but he is also a good and dynamic representative of his country. I came to know Ulysses while I was teaching at the Goiania Christian Insti tute in 1974. Later, he started training
on the "Sound Truck" with Mendes and
After Christmas and the Missionary Conference, I am looking forward to solidifying and implementing our plans to make 1979 a very productive year.
During Dr. Ted Yamamori's church growth, survey-trip to Brazil, he noted that Ulysses' church was especially alive with 80 teenagers meeting frequently through the week in order to "field" four "Gospel teams" of twenty each on the weekends to sing and witness in the public squares as well as to visit and encourage "weaker" congregations. Dr.
Yamamori also noted that a certain number of the women of the church were
me. Finally, after Mendes accepted a call to a church, Ulysses took his place as the evangelist. Later on, he also accepted a call to the located ministry and successfuDy implemented in one congregation all
that he had learned in the classroom and
active in evangelism and making visits every day. He saw that the men were motivated and mobilized and that they were studying, preaching and discipling. He had several talks with this young,
intense minister who is so interested in church renewal and the restoration of the N.T. church in Brazilian "clothes" in a Brazilian culture.
In
fact.
Dr.
Yamamori
was
so
The result has been a congregation that has been growing and growing. In
1977, the Pires do Rio Church of Christ
had 216 baptisms. During 1978, the church set a goal of 300 baptisms. At this time, Ulysses has already baptized 145 persons into Christ. Another 80 persons have already made their professions of faith in Christ and will be baptized in his absence. Even with his having been absent from the pulpit for two months, the congregation should not miss its goal by much, if any.
impressed with this congregation that he told a group of missionaries in Brazil that they should try to produce other churches like it. Needless to say, he also
felt that we missionaries should recruit
other young men of Ulysses' depth, caliber, and dedication for the ministry.
Now, to the interviewContinued On Page 3
Church" concept and in full co-operation with our Brazilian colleagues, we might
achieve the following: a. To work through the national church to plant the church (new congregations) according to Scriptural principles; b. To raise up and disciple qualified
laborers of Jesus Christ in Brazil in
ingly for the unity, the numerical and spiritual growth of the already establish
ed churches in the central Brazil area.
3. Goals. By means of a vigorous evangeHstic program, we plan to stimu late church growth in several congrega
tions until October 1979, after which Pam
significant numbers as fast as possible to help fulfill the Great Commission; c. Toparticipate fully in the training and development of leaders for the churches already established and to be estabished;
and, d. To encourage and work toward the
and I will pool aU of our energies in beginning a new congregation in the central part of the city of Goiania. 4. Strategy. Our strategy for the campaign efforts will be to use the "sound-track" equipment in "open-air" meetings using the team-work approach! for "in-depth" evangelism and good "following" (house-to-house visitation and teaching for the new believers).
Pages
as well as how developing, third-world nations were treated by the U.S. Also,
Question:
you must remember that about 65 percent ofthe filmsshownin theaters and
on TV in my country are American. Thus, from what I saw in the newspap ers, from the films and on the TV, I must admit that I, along with most Brazilians
toward, a South American visitor." Question: "What is your impression, Ulysses, now that you have been here for
several weeks?"
before your trip to the U.S.?" Answer: "Well, my impression of the American people, like that of most other Brazilians, was formed mostly by the
mass media with the vivid accounts of the
many motorcycles, and so many pretty houses with such thick carpets and nice
Continued On Page 4
JULY
AUG
SEPT
10.00
90.00
10.00 100.00
Pboenlx, ^ Bledsoe
Connecticut
30.OO
5.00
100.00
00
Groton, L Hampton
Florida
Highlands, L Phllllpsl^O.00
30.00
30.00 ilO.OO
20.00
Leesburg, First C
Orlando, Southeast
59. ,02
40.00
10.00
110.00
Buffalo C 10.00
60.00
20.00
150.,00
10.,00 100,,C0 100.00 120.00 10.00 100.00
225.00
10.00
36,.00
36.00
60.00
76.66
20.00 20.00
Erviin, First C
48.00 75.00 125.00
80.00 10.00 200.00
350.00
100.00
350.CO
10.00 100.00 20.00
irk
Brook, First C ^
Campbellsburg, C
H Tippin
Indlana
^3.75
50.00 5.00
16O.OO
277.83
100.00
130.00 300.00
200.00
J-boro, Embreevllle 50.00 Hales Chapel C 130.00 Klngsport, Col Hgts 199.BO Virginia "2.00 Bristol, Sh-vllle 15.00 130.00 Chess, Lipdale CofC 150.00 Saltvllle, Main St C ^15.90 50.OO 250.00 .Va Beach, "ragona
75.00
Insurance refund
200.00
^1.66
41.83
15.00
85.71
50.00
^r> nli
56',bo
00
200.00
216. 66
60.00
100.00
433.32
30.00
Monthly Totals
NET BaLrtNCE
Julj 1, 19"B
GENERAL FUND EXPENSES
Memphis, C
5O.OO
loO
100
25.00
100 Salary
101 Soc Sec 102 Insurance 400 Retirement
700 .00
700.00
50.00
20.00
108 .63
108.63
100.00
59 .15
100 .00
108.63 150.65
100.00
25^.11
,00 00
100.00
100.00
470.92
13.97
470.00
100.00
32.27 119.30
37.05
20.00
30.53
20.00
lie:.oo
125.00
10.00
10.00
2600.00
178.69
iiO.OO
20.00
NET BAL."-NCE
Page 4
them, and without night guards such as we have in Brazil. And, no where, as yet,
have I seen a maid. The American
woman amazes me with how well she
plan to establish 300 new congregations in that state within a period of just a few years. A goal like that is almost beyond
our imagination. "In getting to know the U.S. churches,
have abready built the tower, we have built the studios, we have gotten records, and we have paid the first of three
payments on our transmitter. The monetary value of what we have done so far is U.S. $31,000.00, but we have
exhausted our resources and I have come
cooks and takes care of the house (even to mowing and raking the yard) as well as working at a job. She is fantastic!
I have also come to see that they do indeed have a vibrant spiritual life and a
real loyalty to Christ. I mean, that we in
brutality here. And neither does every person have a cigarette nor a glass of whiskeyin his hand. As for immorality, I
can see more evidence of immorality just
Brazil have always thought that it was a question of social status to belong to a church here. Insofar as I am concerned, it seems that people here are now going to church because they want to, not because they feel that they have too." "This devotion to the Kingdom is also evident, at least to me, by the care taken to maintain the church buildings in such
this project. We need to put the radio station on the air by May 1st, 1979. The Pires church and I are very serious about this evangelistic effort. I also want
to go on record before my American
brethren that, in case anyone gives toward the project and the radio station stops functioning for any reason, all monies, or their equivalent in equipment,
will be turned over to a Christian church
good repair. You are providing us Brazilians with a good example to follow, for we need to maintain God's buUdings
better in Brazil.
mission in Brazil.
In other words, no
individual is going to be personally benefited either by the operation or by the cessation of the operation of this radio
station.
"The second reason that I came here to visit the churches of the Restoration
I have gone. I have stayed with many different families in many different homes and in many different cities and, in every instance, the reception that I have received would have been worthy of an angel of God (which, by the way, I am
not)."
Movement was for the purpose of personally thanking as many people and
churches as possible on behalf of the
Brazilian people for having had the dedication and the missionary vision to
send the Gospel to us. Were it not for you, Brazil would only be either Roman
NOTE: If anyone wants to help get this Christian radio station "on the air", you may do so by making your check payable
to:
"Gray Avenue Church of Christ" 1524"Xjfray Avenue Yuba City, California 95991
Answer: "In Brazil, we have the impression that the Restoration Move
Thank
You
Dear Friend, "Timemarcheson.""Timeand tide wait
"I am sure that everyone in Brazil is going to be surprised when I tell them
thief of time." "Kme passed me by." Time never stands still. Even during
Joshua's long day -when the sun stood still - time continued "for about the space of a
could ever have imagined that we are part of something so large, so wonder
ful."
within 24 months after we once go on the air. The prospects for even more churches in the 10 cities surrounding ours are very, very good.
But, our church has been able to
complete only half of the project by herself. The average family in our church earns approximately U.S. $100 per
month. And, even with the members'
Wecannot touch, smell, hear, seeorfeel time. And, even though we can sense its
Answer: "To tell you the truth, I had three reasons for comingto the U.S., the
selling of their televisions, bicycles, and motorcycles and receiving of bank loans at high interest rates, we were able to raise only U.S. $10,000the last Sunday
before I left to come to the States. Because our church believes that this radio station can be an invaluable arm for
passingwithour minds,wecannotstop it, speed it up or slowit down. Wecan accept time as a friend or fight it as an enemy - or
we can ignore it.
Family Notes
For our family, "Araguaia" is much
more than the name of Brazil's most
July, for the third time, we spent our family vacation fishing and camping for
two weekson an island in the middle of the
as
hammocks. They enjoy the freedom of spending two weeks in a bathing suit with a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt for the evenings. They are able to swim any time of day and play in the sand to their heart's content. The children find fishing for bait with small bamboo poles a special treat because they are always able to catch lots offish in a short period of time. This year, they found the fishing to be especially good right from our island. But, they also enjoy going for boat rides and fishing for the "big" ones. The children also enjoy the hammocks, games with other children and
put in an unwelcome appearance. As with most animaland plant life in Brazil, they
come in great variety and sometimes
reach unbelievable sizes.
This year, Timmy spent a good bit of time with Gary learning to pilot the boat. This, plus a few really nice fish that he caught, made him feel quite grown-up.
Continued OnPage 6
Fishing on the Araguaia is especially interesting in that so many types of fish are caught. There were 15-20 types brought into our camp. We found it
particularly interesting to watch the
boatmen clean and skin the really big ones. Some are a variety of catfish especially enjoyed because they have no small bones. But, the most impressive fish is the pre-historic looking "pirarucu". I have seen them longer and heavier than a large man. Their scales are about three inches long. I keep a few each year for
pill
filing fingernails. As you might imagine, these large fish provide many pounds of
delicious eating.
Wild life is not as abundant in the area
" *
where we camp as it must have been a few years ago. However, we saw parrots, parakeets, tucanos, cranes and several other types of birds. At night as we threw
**Wliy didn't you ever have the camera when I caught big ones?"
to give up my role as taxi driver, chief errand girl and home administrator for a time. I also enjoy the sweet relaxation of a good book in a comfortable hammock
under the shade ofour large, palm-thatched shelter. I like to fish and to explore, noting the plant and animal life along the river banks. Furthermore, I enjoy the ease of a vacation in a place where the children can be relatively free and require
a minimum of supervision. In addition, the relaxing periods of conversation with "Captain Tim at the Hehn."
Family Notes
Jonathan was equally proud of himself
because he learned to cast his own line this
year. I think he set a record for catching the slimy "sucker" fish that no one wanted to catch. But, regardless of what was on
unique in that it is all written in the first person. The sentences are short. The vocabulary is simple. The plan is for the book to be printed in
1979 as soon as funds are available. We are
that, due to unseasonal rains up river, the water level rose during our stay on the island. We though we might have to move our camp. Finally, the rising water stopped and then began to recede. And, we breathed a sigh of relief! On our return trip from the river (normally 6hours), we had trouble on the
first stretch. We have to drive over a
print, hundreds of persons will be reading the lifeofChrist as the very first book they will have ever read. May God use this book, based solely on the four Gospels, to bring many unto Him.
"Pam
sandy road. In places the sand becomes so very powder like that the cars have to
leave the road and make a new track
Thank You
must always be considered in the biblical frame-work set up by the apostle James
(James 4:13-15).
through the brush on firmer sand. Once, we took a wrong track and ended up really
stuck in the loose sand for two hours. The hot sun and hot sand were most
disagreeable. We were certainly relieved when we were on our way agan. We arrived home tired, tanned and renewed forthe work (school and mission) that we are now doing in this second half of the year. We have pictures and many happy memories of our trip. We often refer to incidents on the river and frequently
as long as we live, we have a fresh supply to invest each day. And, even though we
cannot "save" tme, Pam and I want to
trip provides is an aspect that we value highly. We consider our vacation to be a healthy experience physically, emotional ly and spiritually. This year, the two weeks we spent as a family on the river were especially important preparation for
more effectively to communicate the Gospel which has the power to save men and women for "time and eternity". Yours in His Service, Gary and Pam P.S. While we are extremely thankful for you who support our work and are listing your name or church accordingly, we would also like to thank publicly those whohave made personal gifts for clothing,
books, Christmas, etc. - Ethel Ankrom, M/M Harold Banks, M/M Ernest Boone,
M/M Roy R. Burrell, M/M Leslie Chastain, M/M Elbert Cornett, M/M Delbert Evans, Erwin Christian Circle, M/M Ralph Hampton, M/M Harley
Hawn, M/M Luther Herron, M/M Huey Skaggs, and M/M Harold Stephenson.
sa
you know that, at this point, we are well and everything is fine. God is good in the wonderful way he meets our needs. Duringthis period, I am trying to spend more time reading and writing in English with the children, than I am usually able to do. The time is passing faster than I had imagined it would. We are quite busy with
our normal school, church and home
activities.
"At its highest and best, prayer is a weapon - the most powerful weapon a
Christian has in a world where evil often
seems to triumph. Used by ordinary people like you and me, it can turn the scales in favor of a hopelessly weak minority, in the. most impossible situations." - Alan Redpath. "You can do MORE than pray, AFTER you have prayed. But, you can NOT do more than pray UNTIL you have prayed." - S.D.
Gordon.
During Gary's absence, I have planned two literacy projects to help break the
By the time that you receive this, the Burrell family should all be united once again for fellov/ship together and to observe the tremendous mystery of the /ncarnoffon of Christ. We rejoice in the fact that we can participate In the work of the Kingdom here in Brazil. I thoroughly enjoyed the time which I spent there in the States to report to you of our activities in Brazil and to explain our plans for future work here. Thank you for your receptivity to our reports and for your unfailing interest In the growth of Christ's Kingdom. We have every reason to believe that 1979 will be a most important, pivotal year in preparing the base for our
most fruitful term of service.
Pam and the children showed up at the airport in Brasilia to celebrate the arrival of both
"Papa" (not seen for 16 weeks) and "Papal Noel" (not seen for a year). We look forward to an enjoyable, but very warm Christmas Day Cobout 90 degrees fohrenhe/fj. We, os a family, will probably spend some time looking over our movies and slides remembering good times with
family, friends, snow, etc., of past holiday seasons.
In addition toparticipating in various Christmas festivities with the children, we hope also to
impress upon themthe s/gnif/conce of God's giving His Son to mankind.
We trust that the activities in which you engage in your home and church will make this one of the most meaningful Christmas seasons of your life, and that they will enable others to see Christ in your observance of the Holy One of God.
In closing, all of us here pray that you may have... ... the gladness of Christmas, which Is Hope; . .. the spirit of Christmas, which is Peace;
. .. the heart of Christmas, which is Love.
S/ncere/y yours,
Field Address
Funds
Information
Sponsor
South Main Street
Compbellsburg, IN 47108
Indianapolis, IN 46278
'APR '
CkMQtim Si/ange&sm
GARY and PAM BURRELL, Missionaries
Caixa Postal, 811
74.000 Brazil
Phone
n^n
^062) 251-0801
No. 4
many more things much better. To make the needed changes, we must have consistently your understanding, your confidence and moral support. GB).
INTRODUCTION
after 17 weeks of reporting in the U.S. While reporting, I was impressed by The fourth quarter report will be a brief the commitment to Kingdom growth that resume of those weeks reporting. I saw. The Faith Promise Rallies in which I scheduled as many speaking dates I participated were particularly encour and other meetings as time allowed. I aging to me in that I saw congregations was unable to report to a few of our set reaUy challenging goals and, then, regular supporting congregations due to saw them frequently go over these goals. the impossibility on their part or mine of Also, as I travelled and talked with working out a date. I regret this, but many people, I noticed some confusion suppose it is inevitable when time is and/or lack of information concerning the limited and distances are great. cross-cultural communication of the However, I was able to give regular Gospel. I foel that we missionaries are reports 56 times to 49 different going to have to do a better job of congregations. I led in 10 small group communication with our prayer-partners meetings which I enjoyed immensely and financial supporters. because they gave great opportunities With this in mind, I plan to include in for communication and learning together each newsletter articles which will be through dialogue. I also spoke 19 times in aimed at providing further information 6 mission or faith-promise rallies. And, I and insight in regard to cross-cultural spoke or participated In 20 special evangelism and church planting endeav meetings at Roanoke Bible College, ors especially related to the situation Lincoln Christian College, Milligan here in Brazil and to the Restoration College, Emmanuel School of Religion or Movement in general.
with ministers or recruits for the Brazil
field.
"In Spain, the Restoration Movement had its beginning in the first days of 1966. In spite of a scarcity of financial resources and the lack of leaders, it presently includes 22 congregations and has grown, proportionately, more than other religious groups which have been active in Spain for as long as one hundred years.
In addition, the Restoration Movement
is, among us, the only one which is really concerned about mass media, having dally radio programs on different Spanish stations, a company dedicated to the publication of books, a bookstore open to the public, Bible correspondence courses and magazines with local, national and international outreach, for example, RESTAURACION, which has readers in more than twenty countries."
The above was extracted from an
editorial
written
by
Juan
Antonio
(I am thoroughly committed to missions and to the spreading of His Word in such a way that permanent and genuine church growth may take place. However, I am also convinced that, along
with ministers, elders and mission
leaders of the national church are sasring. What has been written about Spain could very weU have also been written about Brazil. Amid the criticisms are perhaps
some small inaccuracies, but, if we look at
the right to speak on the subject of foreign missionaries, from the point of view of an outstanding national leader, and we should prayerfully consider his remarks. The following article appeared in the magazine cited above and was translated from the original Spanish by
Thomas "W" Fife.
chairmen, we missionaries are going to have to analyze the missionary enter prise and to make necessary modifica tions. One thing in particular that we also must do is to listen receptively, not defensively, to what the ministers and
the work through the eyes of a competent national concerned about the Kingdom and work together with the nationals, we may come up with some solutions that will be not only revolutionary but vastly superior to what we are doing at the present time. The following article is presented with
the idea that, while we missionaries are
WHY DO PROTESTANT MISSIONARILS FAIL IN SPAIN? There are ' about 163 Protestant
ing the fact that almost all of them are married and that each couple has from twoto five children, the human potential
Continued On Page 2
Page 2
Why Do ..,
they represent is doubtless considerable.
If each one of these missionaries
for Protestant pastors in North America, as well as others that have nothing to do
with authentic Christian vocation.
converted only ten persons per year, only ten, after ten years Spanish Protestant ism would have grown by the consider
able number of 16,000 new members. But nothing happens. They aren't even
That is to say, they fail in Spain because they already began as failures when they decided to study the Bible professionally. It cannot be said of them,
as it was of Paul, "He is a chosen vessel
have shouted my indignation from these pages. I believe I have the right to do so. The least that can be expected from a river is water. If not, then fill it up with
earth and rock.
unto me" (Acts 9:15). When they finish high school they coolly decide to study to be pastors because in America the pastor is well-thought-of and very well-paid.
2 - DEFICIENT SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
institutions dedicated to the preparation of missionaries. Visiting, for example, the central offices of the Billy Graham Association in Minneapolis, or the famous FullerTheological Seminary in Pasadena, California, or Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, causes one to drool before the impressive technological display. There they teach computerized
methods. And (be careful!) for the students, the conclusions of the machines are infallible. For them, from the
I have been censured for the supposed hardness of style with which I have treated this subject on previous
occasions. But I don't believe I have been
hard. Never. Myonly intention is to help them. I write from the watchtower of my personal liberty. I am absolutely not in debt to anyone. I enjoy enough financial and moral independence to make my own way. I don't serve any Lord except the one in heaven. I don't accept or obey any orders except those that the Bible and my
conscience dictate.
dedicated to the preparation of mission aries and the great majority of them are pathetic. Plenty of system, plenty of technology, large libraries, but a spirit ual life that is cafeteria-style. Spiritual
values are not cultivated. "The inner life is
the missionary methods learned at the institution. Soon they discover that those methods, applied here in our country, are completely unserviceable. But since technology has taught them that way they continue with them, even though they dash themselves to pieces.
5 - LITTLE INTEREST IN PEOPLE
not developed. No importance is given to private prayer; prayer is done with the group, as part of an established routine. Man is studied statistically, managed by computers, as an object of future work to
be done.
It is to be expected that a Protestant foreign missionary who comes to Spain be concerned and worried about the spirit ual condition of the Spaniard, that he
arrive here with a sufficient amount of love to desire the eternal salvation of
All the emphasis is put on training the mind. Spirituality, mysticism, the inner life, passion for the salvation of souls are subjects that are not even mentioned or are studied coldly, like so many other subjects in the program. They enter the institution without
vocation, but neither is it awakened in
Spaniards. This would be normal. But it doesn't happen that way. Almost never. It doesn't happen because he hasn't learned it that way. The institution that has trained him to be a missionary has
used him as a means to an end. What matters above all to that institution is its
passion. I am going to point out up to twenty reasons, focusing on the root of the problem, that in my judgement determine the sterility of Protestant
missionaries. These reasons are not all that exist - one could adduce other causes
them while they stay there. They leave as empty as they came.
3 - INCOMPETENT TEACHERS
and I don't know if any study has been published on the subject. If one does
exist, I don't know about it. What I have
written here is the fruit of my own experiences and observations. Here are the twenty reasons which
seem to me to be the cause of the failure of
Being a professor in a North American institution dedicated to the training of missionaries is a big thing there. Their reward is a salary of at least $15,000 a year, which permits them to live in ease and comfort, and even save something if they wish. In addition, the missions professor can count on the fringe benefit of at least one trip abroad every year, expenses paid by the institution. But what t3T)eof prepartion do these teachers have? Here lies another part of the evil. In general they are called "mission experts". These "mission experts" customarily are that for the sole reason of having lived a few years in a foreign country. As missionaries they were
failures themselves; however the instit
own reputation as such, keeping the sympathy of the contributors which are the source of its life, increasing their number, contacting millionaires so as to increase its endowment, supplying what is needed to maintain its football team, upon which the institution's reputation largely depends, etc. All of this constitutes the purpose of its existence.
The student is no more than a means to
that end.
ary, arrives in Spain, he applies the same system that has been used on him. Man is not the primary objective of his mission; only the means of justifying his presence in the country. And, of course, he fails.
6 - LACK OF EXPERIENCE
into the ministry of the gospel. Every missionary has studied at least three years in a Bible institute, theological seminary or university. Many of them have added specialized study in other institutions. But why did they decide to study for the preaching ministry? A multitude of Catholic priests are that because their parents wanted a "padre" in the family. The same reason is given
utions believe that having been overseas makes them missions specialists. And the only thing they manage to transmit to their students is their own incompetence, thus producing missionaries predestined
to fail.
to be a missionary and goes immediately to the mission field. Generally he commits himself to a period of practice in the churches of his own country. But because of the ever-increasing need for
missionaries, the number of those who
4 - EXCESSIVE TECHNOLOGY
North America is, above all, the land of technology. And you should see how technology has been incorporated by
arrive in their place of work without previous experience is growing. They come to help with heads full of missionary methods and a certain amount of good will, but nothing more. They haven't
Continued On Page 3
Pages
Why Do ...
even had time to prove to themselves whether or not they are fitted for the ministry, whether they really want to serve the Lord or just assume the title, keeping it in the bottom of a trunk wrapped in cellophane, and dedicate themselves to selling cars or insurance policies, two jobs that many ex-pastors and ex-missionaries customarily take. In such cases, the failure they reap here, in the land of their mission, they would have experienced in their own country. But the defeat there would have
been less bitter and have done no harm to the nationals.
7 - FAILURES CHURCHES IN THE LOCAL
correspondence courses. With that they justify their presence here. And that
isn't mischief. It's something else.
11 - LACK OF ADAPTATION
I believe that the majority of foreign missionaries who come to this country fail because they don't manage to adapt themselvestoourwayoflife. Thisoccurs principally with those who come from the
United States.
Between that country and Spain there is a very considerable difference in life style. But the missionary should come inwardly prepared for the change. Before disembarking at our airports he should have studied enough atout our
customs that he will be disposed to
Many years ago, I knew a so-called independent American missionary. His preaching, when he preached, was the worst; bad preparation, bad coordination of the theme and even worse delivery. Mentioning this to another missionary,
who had known him in the United States,
asked me what was the best place in Spain to live, cUmatically speaking. Another one asked me the same question last year about France. He had heard
about the Riviera and wanted to know the
change and adapt, and will do it as quickly as possible. This may seem laughable but it is as much a fact as the sun which brightens our days. One American missionary living in Spain had the habit of asking
relatives in the States to send him a
I asked him if his preaching was better in English. "In English, he's as bad as in Spanish", was the reply. So, as a general rule, these are those who come to Spain or go to other
countries - the bad ones - those who have failed in the churches of North America. Men who have not been called to the
cost oflivingthere, so as to be sure he had enough financial support. Many missionaries arrive in Spain and
other countries with the sole intention of
regular supply of the toilet paper used there, because the Spanish kind, he said,
was not perfumed. And one thing that the missionary
taking a vacation in a foreign country. Of the 163 missionaries in Spain, 10 are on the Costa del Sol and 22 along the Costa Brava. In the city and province of Madrid
there are 68. Very few live in areas with
cold climates or in small towns. The
religious ministry, who don't have the gift, who could be good members in their congregations, but not preachers or
missionaries. Stubborn men who don't
majority prefer the sun, good climates, large capital cities. That is why they have come - to have as good a time as possible.
10 LEARNING THE LANGUAGE AND SELLING BOOKS
abundant. The good ones, those who really are worth something and are used by God, stay in their homeland. Those who embark on the missionary adventure usually are, with exceptions, naturally,
those who have failed in the land of their
Among the missionaries there also exists mischief with the language, and the bookstore sideline which ends up becoming a business.
There are missionaries who come to
Ecclesiastically speaking, the foreign missionaries are totally inflexible. In their school or mission they were taught four cliches and they won't budge from that position. They are so buried in the bunkers of their respective denomina tional fortifications, that they remain ideologically unmovable. Things are the way they have been taught in North America; the worship service must be the way it is in the churches there. And they don't go beyond that. They repeat (this is funny)
Spain only to take some time off and rest; they choose our country as they might select any other. But there are those who
come with the sole and secret intention of
The prophets - missionaries of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New were sent by God, motivated by him. From the divine lips there was always a "Go, and tell this people" (Isaiah 6:9).
learning the language. They tell their mission directors that before beginning work they must acquire an adequate knowledge of the language. And their leaders, naturally, agree. When they have learned the language, they think up some pretext and pack their bags to return home. Here it is more appropriate to speak of missionary mischief than of
failure.
The fact that there exist so many different groups of evangelicals in Spain and it is the same everywhere else - is due to this inflexibility on the part of foreign missionaries. They are willing to split a church four ways; they are willing that a soul or fifty souls be lost, but they will not give in on any one of the four points they
Others, after learning the language, decide to stay in the country. They cannot evangelize because they lack the vocation for that. But on the other hand, neither do they wish to lose the substantial financial support they
Many missionaries fail because they are poorly educated. Those who leave for foreign lands, as I have already said, usually are not those best trained, either in the Bible or in general education. They
Continued On Page 4
has visited the church with a special and careful technique for recruiting mission
Page 4
Why Do ..,
are the missionaries of "hup, two, three". Their mental equipment is reduced to that, to two or three points about how to interpret the Bible and conduct a service. When they look at themselves here, in a country which still preserves, on its
coast, walls built by the Phoenicians (in
The presence of the foreign missionary in Spanish society is nil. His world is his
home, hisBible, his church. And if outside
her own car, so that she doesn't depend on her husband to get around. She takes the
children to school or counts on the bus to
Cadi2), with a culture thousands of years old, a country of great theologians and men who enlightened other civilizations, they find themselves out of place and don't know which way to turn. Their own simpleness limits them. Observe them in meetings where the
subject of conversation is not the Bible. They are lost. They spend the whole time smiling and agreeing. They can do nothing else.
14-POOR SENSE OF PURPOSE
1 am not going to generalize, because it wouldn't be fair. But I will say that a large portion of the missionaries who arrive here fail because they have a very poor and very limited sense of missionary
purpose.
What a great missionary example God himself gave us! When he decided to save us he became fiesh. Not only in a human body; he became incarnated in a land, a people, arace.aculture. He even adopted a nationality. Foreign university students who live in Spain -principally in the field of medicine have petitioned for Spanish citizenship becausethey want to dedicate themselves tohealingthesickhere. I don't know of a single missionary who has done the same.
God became fiesh, became a Jew to save first the Jew. then the Greek and
bring them home. On the mission field, no; whether it be to avoidascandal or because they don't have enough money, the family generally has
only one car, which the husband
missionary has to take the children to school and bring them home; he has to take his wife shopping and to do her personal visiting. His family is excessively dependent and he has yet another way to drop out. When his daughters reach courting age or his wife becomes melancholy, the pressure will mount for himto return tothe country from which he
came. Look and see who can resist it.
This creates a paradox, because the United States is a land of great undertakings. Its manufacturers, bus
inessmen, bankers, technicians, scien
tists, artists, etc., are enterprising people, people with drive, who love the adventure of big things. The missionary who arrives among us,
on the other hand, is a man of less vision
than blind Bartimaeus before the miracle.
eventually ail of us. Nationalities are barriers that separate people. The foreign missionaries do nothing to knock down these barriers. They maintain them. And this is due, in large part, to their lack of security in their own ministry. They would rather always keep their passport at hand. At any moment, when a problem comes up, it is farewell, Spain. Beloved Spain...
17 - THEY ARE NOT FRIENDLY
I will explain this. Let us take, for example, aforeignBaptist missionary and a pastor of the same denomination. The missionary, with a family of four, receives a salary of at least66,000 pesetas a month.
It is sent to him from the mission's central
No missionary has set up large schools among us, nor opened hospitals, nor homes for the aged, nor publishing houses, nothing of the sort. There are little meetings in the living room for tea with the neighbor across the street, or poorly arranged little places where they only manage to bring together fifty people. Their vision doesn't allow for
more.
that classify people and separate them. Without the necessity of citing texts from the Bible at this point I don't intend to do that now the gospel of Christ breaks
down all kinds of social, himian and racial
treasury. The Spanish pastor, with the same size family, receives a maximum of 25,000 pesetas a month. If the church where he preachesis financially independ ent,hissaJary is paid bythe church. If the pastor is starting out in a church with few members, the money for his support
comes from the coffers of the National Union. But on one condition: the Union
barriers... But the foreign missionaries maintain them. They don't know how, or they can't, or they don't want to break
them down.
gives 10 percent less each year, which must be made up by the church. The purpose of this is that after a ten-year period the church pay the entire salary of its pastor.
Law of the Indies, recognized throughout the world as a monumental juridical accomplishment, was their work. What do the foreign missionaries in Spain do? I agree with them that the most important thing is to preach the gospel
andsavesoulsforheaven. That is the first
They don't even act like friends. They don't act friendly with the church members, neither do they make friends among the people. They Uve in a society limited to themselves, and generally speaking, close themselves off in apart ment blocks or take refuge in chalets surrounded by small gardens. And they
don't do this in order to live more
missionaries did. It seems rightto me that it should apply to them as well, since it
came from them. The Christian ethic
But if the foreign missionaries had to apply this method to themselves, none of them would last in the country for more than two years.
20 THEY ARE THE APPLE OF
DISCORD
luxuriously. No, it is in order to have isolation, to be alone. They don't seek contact with the people, they are not open to friendship. They have come to work with the people, but I would say that they
are even afraid of human contact. 18 EXCESSIVE DEPENDENCE OF
THE FAMILY This is also a cause of failure in their
to find out why. But here, indeed, there are no exceptions. I say and affirm that what I write is based on many years of experience in this field. I have not known
Continued On Page 5
Pages
Why Do .,.
one single missionary who has not been thecause of problems in the church where he has gone. I believe that, when they arrive, they already have the problems, and that they transmit them almost unconsciously, even without meaning to, as a natural thing. I know many defeated congregations, discouraged Spanish ministers and church members with totally confused minds, all due to the conduct of foreign
missionaries.
One, that the subject has not been covered. Every one of these points could be amplified and many more could be
added.
Family Notes
The last quarter of the year was a difficult one for our family in many ways. Neither I, nor the children, enjoyed
Two, that not all foreign missionaries failin Spain and not all are as bad as I have pointedout. 1know exceptions. Iknowof men who have spent years in our country
and have done a really fruitful and valuable job. And three, that in the composition of this article, Ihave not been motivated by a spirit of criticism but of helpfulness. I want these men to honestly study my observations, to correct their manner of
They lack even a minimum of tact. On occasion they work with a cold calculation
that makes one even doubt their own
conversion.
having Gary away for such an extended time. But, on the other hand, the period was a surprising one. The time seemed to pass more quickly than we imagined it could. We once again saw how adaptable God has made us. I consider adaptability to be one of His greatest blessings. During Gary's absence, I did the best I
could to take care of the routine matters of the household and those related to the
I have covered the twenty points which 1 suggested in the introduction as the causes of the failure of foreign Protestant missionaries in Spain. There are three more things left for me to say.
General Fund Inconie
Oct.
Nov.
working in Spain and bring many souls to Christ. And if I can be of help to any of them, they can call on me. As the Bible says, one chastens those whom he loves.
the END
Radcllff,
Dec
mission.
First CC
153.7B
20.00 20.00
M Crowe
118.38
20.00
10.00
10.00 50.00
10.00
not-so-routine matters that inevitably arose. The children cooperated very well, making matters much simpler for me on that score. And, I am glad to say that, while they missed Gary very much and could hardly wait for his return, they did not seem to be unduly upset by his prolonged absence. For this, we are
thankful.
Arizona
Phoenix, C Biedaoe
wQlorado
30.00
Barryton, CofC
15.00
195.00
70.00
10.00
25.00
Actually, we were terribly busy during those few months. Just allowing time for
school and homework, I found it difficult
5.00
Florida
25.001
15.00 bO.OO
120.00
i*0.00
10.00
90.t(6
30.00
- 20,00
100.81!
30.00:
K Haven
25.00
to arrange what I considered to be adequate time for studies and reading in English. Timmy has two outside hobbies to
which he devotes some of his time. As we
Pennsvlvanla
JO.00
Mather,cc
H Crable
60.00
30.00
10.00
125.00
60.00
48.00
Ellzabethton, Sorderview CC
10.00
80.00
10.00
60.00
129.00 90.00
have mentioned previously, he is a stamp collector. In October, he prepared a display of about three-hundred stamps to place on exposition for two weeks at the
Post Office. He and the other exhibitors
90.00 95.00
75.00
25.00 38.33
10.00
5.00
38.33
10.00
'e.oo
100.OOi
350.00
100.00
150.00
100.00
700.00
125.00
80.00
10.00 200.00
125.00
80.00
10.00
125.00
80.00
10.00
S Gouge
B Banner
20.00
rk CofC 20.00
50.00
200.00
I Price
30.00
20.00
Carmel, Central CC
250.00 211.141
315.30
170.00
100.00
382.86
130.00
150.00
20.00
138.60 10.00
25.00
20.0
'6.60
50.00
180.00
Converse, CofC
I'io.oo
CC
650.00
155.00
Col. Hgts. CC
21.00
21.00
Evansvllie, First CC
Greenwood, Bluff Cit
Qreentown, Meridian
<1 Freeman
Danville, D Wolford
Nashville, D Sahll
150.00 50.00
72.00
75.00
105.00 500.00
were given stamp collecting materials as rewards for exhibiting stamps. Almost every Friday, right after lunch, Timmy takes off for the bus station with a small pack of clothes on his back. He takes the bus for twenty-five miles to the farm of a friend of ours who has just begun raising pigs. Timmy arrives home on Saturday night fuU of facts and interesting incidents to tell me in regard to this pig or that. He hopes to buy a sow soon and really enter into the pig
business. In the meantime, he is our
B Lockhart
K Wlnegardner
30.00
1*5.00
15.00
117.l*
50.00
Indianapolis, E 38 St2l6.66
Traders Point C 212.50 Valley Mills CC
H Roberts
30.00
100.00
30.00
Jeffereonville, CC
Little iork, CC
Marengo, CC Memphis, CC
25.00 50.00
131.00 50.00
G & L Hunk
700.00
108.63
Kunole, University CC
3 Strouse
300.00
1.00
102 Insurance
Uoo netlrement
267.92
100.00
493.08
100.00
RlchDt>iid, I Metz
uo.oo
Salem, Mt Tabor CC
At Hebron
Walnut Orove CC
a frierd
50'^.62
27.6^
200.00
501.3''
201*.50
33.00
328.89
682.34
299.05
15.OO
1045,91
10.00
lI6.2() 376.15
100.00
768.26 729.80
1000.00
iS.S .92
20.00
.00 35.5
51.5"*
20.00
Disbursements
friend Tony's Saturday and holiday helper. He is learning a great deal about pigs. And, you know, I cannot help but wonder if his being born in Southern Indiana in a pig-raising area did not have something to do with his developing such an intense interest in pigs. All three of the girls participated in a city-wide sports program this" year. Their chosen sport is Olympic gym nastics. This year's activities ended the middle of November. In the closing program, Jennifer won two first-place medals, two second-place medals and a trophy for her school. Amy was in fourth and fifth place in several activities and
Continued On Page 6
50.00
Page 6
Family Notes
plans toberightuptopnextyear. This is
Juliana'sfirstyear. While she did not win any awards, she did very well in her
presentations.
been involved in the Laubach program for several years now. She readilyi
impotent.
Jonathan's big claim to fame during this quarter is that he has started losing his teeth. Hebegs me to pull them ifthey
are only slightly loose. I think losing teeth mustmake him feel very grown-up. We were all invited to spend a long
weekend recently at the ranch of our friends, the Aide's. The ranch is a
two-and-a-half hour drive from Goiania.
Half of the trip is on a dirt road. While we were there, we rode horses, hiked, swam, played games, played with the
already taken an interest in the literacy work in Brazil. You can get a short slide set from Jerald and Lynda Humphrey' concerning the Laubach work. If you need further information, please write to i
me. As funds are available, we will be
able to have important teaching materials printed for the literacy work. Consider this printing need as you consider your plans for reaching out in
the name of Christ in 1979.
PentecostalismhereinBrazil, supporting churches in the States ought to be aware that ANY missionary laboring here is OPENto the charge of "associating" with Pentecostals - unless he completely cuts
himself off from aU contact with national leaders. And, if he does this, then his
Laubach work, I am happy to say that twoteen-aged girlsandoneofthe women; from the Novo Horizonte congregation'
are now trained in the Laubach method.
each that we are teaching to read and write. We compare notes frequently on the progress ofour students or problems
that arise or good ideas we have to aid in
Of course, the biggest event of this quarter for our family was that Gary was able to arrive home just a few days before Christmas. Christmas is such a joyful time and a time of such deep significance as we contemplate the mystery of the
Incarnation. In addition to the thanks
Thank You
Dear Friend,
giving that was in our hearts because of the birth of Christ, we were also filled
several opportunities for me to speak to interested individuals and groups who have aninterestinthe Laubach Literacy Program. My first reaction upon considering such a trip wasto call on my friend, LynnHicksin Campinas, whohas
with thanksgiving that God kept us safe while we were apart and brought our family back together again. We hope that you and your family had a
happy holiday season too.
Pam
WORLD EVANGELISMI That is a big order. We are glad that, as a part of your response to the Great Commission, you have considered the need for the Gospel in Brazil. We appreciate the fact that you have chosen to work through BCE. Thank you, once again, for your financial undergirding of the work here. One of the stabilizing factors in the work of BCE has been the regular
support the mission has been able to count on through the years from responsible supporting congregations
and individuals.
Blind Spots
It has long been a conviction of mind
Another stabilizing and encouraging factor is that of prayer support. We ask that you continue to pray for the work
here.
5= <3 s
t/t
i-M
o
UJ
CO sO
11
O
Z
< >
UJ
cc
T'
<
o
s
in
'Z
^
>
<
o
c
M
1
oc
o r-j
'D
o. o
-3
X
vj E f
It is our prayer that you wiU have a must not develop a blind spot to some good understanding of the needs of your aspect of Biblical teaching simply because community and of how to evangelize someone else has blown it up out of all effectively there. Furthermore, we pray proportion. However, one extreme is not that Godwill continue to give you the love corrected by adopting another but, > and vision necessary for you to reach far rather by a careful consideration and beyond your geographic area in sharing presentation of the Biblical evidence on the Gospel message. And, we pray that the matter. God will give us wisdom as we meet the For example, we of the Restoration great challenge before us here in Central Movement may be developing a blind Brazil. spot in regard to the matter of the power Yours in His service, of the Spirit. Just because some Gary and Pam Christian brothers are inadvisedly employing the speaking in tongues as the evidence of the "fullness of, or "baptism in", the Holy Spirit, we should not shrink
from examining the New Testament teaching concerning "power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Unfortunately, we may be, from a Scriptural standpoint, technically correct, but tragically
u
oc 00
-2 a
"You can do MORE Mianpray, AFTER you have prayed. But, you can NOT do more than pray UOTIL you have prayed." S.D. Gordon.