Training Brazilian Christian Leaders at Berean Baptist Seminary, Natal, Brazil
Who we are…
Tim was born to missionaries in Brazil. God blessed him with hearing the Scriptures faithfully taught through his parents, Robert and Linda. Family devotions was a common evening activity and while still young, his mother led him to the LORD. He had the privilege of observing, then later, participating in missionary ministry. He came to the U.S. for Bible school with the goal of returning to serve the Word.
Martia was born and raised in Anderson, CA. Her parents are believers and she trusted Christ as her Savior at age 7. Since elementary school she knew the LORD wanted her to be a missionary. She was actively involved in serving in her church throughout high school and Bible college in Redding. During college she spent a school- year teaching at a national school in Indonesia.
We were married after college while Tim was in seminary in Tacoma, WA. We have four children, Natalie and Rebecca, Rachel and Hannah.
Our Role…
Primary– Our primary role is teaching at Berean Baptist Seminary and Institute in Natal, Brazil. Like a Bible College in the U.S., it is designed for men and women to study the Bible and prepare them for ministries in the local church. However, it’s curriculum and ministry focus is like a seminary.
Secondary– Besides teaching, we also serve in the local church. Our first two terms we served alongside a seminary student and sister church pastors in taking a church plant to maturity. Specific ministries have included, Sunday School teaching, music (accompaniment or song leading) and children’s ministries. The purpose of these activities is to encourage the Brazilian believers in the local church towards being a self-sustaining local assembly of believers in Jesus. God granted us the privilege to assist a local congregation to autonomy in 2010.
Our Goal: Training Faithful World Christians
Faithful: upward focus. Faithful to the LORD in whatever capacity He leads them until death or the rapture.
World: outward look. The desire to reach out to their neighbors– across the street, throughout Brazil, beyond Brazil in South America, and beyond to the rest of the world.
Christians: inward look. Having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Most Brazilians consider themselves religious (even “Christian” in the generic sense), but few have a vital, personal relationship with the LORD God through Jesus.
Our Needs…
Pray– that God would prepare Brazilian servants to study at the Bible School.
that God would use us effectively to prepare Brazilians to serve Him more effectively.
that God would continue to provide for our needs through His people in North America.
Give– consider investing financially to the needs of this ministry
(Notice 1 Sam.30, especially the principle in vs. 24).
Go– Be serving the LORD right now, in whatever He is leading.
1. Getting involved in your local ministries.
2. Training the next generation to serve the LORD.
3. Consider short-term or career service for the LORD in the U.S., with us in Brazil or elsewhere.
Paul writes to the Colossians and says, “We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will… so that youmay walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, to please Him in all respects,bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;strengthened with all power according to His might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father…” (Col 1:9-12 NASB). This prayer continues to be a challenge for us.
2 Timothy 2:2
The things you have heard… entrust to faithful men… who… will teach others also.
Tim & Martia Franklin
electronic contact: timnmartia (at) yahoo.com
Sending Church
Discovery Baptist Church. Gig Harbor, WA
www.discoverybaptist.org
Mission Address:
ABWE
P.O. Box 8585
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585
www.abwe.org