Primary– Pastoring future pastors and Christian workers in the context of the Seminário e Instituto Batista Bereiano (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 for ministries in the local church and beyond. However, more like a seminary it is focused upon preparing pastors and Christian servants–those who enroll already have a calling or significant inclination towards vocational ministry.
Our main activities as the seminary are teaching–mostly courses in Bible Survey and Bible exposition. Beyond imparting intellectual information, we develop various ways to engage in the spiritual formation of the students, we seek to invest in the spiritual formation of the seminarians.
Secondary– Promoting church planting. Besides teaching, we also assist in the local churches with a focus on expanding the gospel. The basic scenario here involves serving alongside a seminarian and sister church pastor in taking a church to maturity–whether it be a pastoral transition in a struggling church or starting a new church. God has blessed our efforts.
Our first two terms we served alongside sister church pastors and a seminary student at Planície das Mangueiras Baptist Church, tucked among the masses in the north side of Natal. In 2007 the church invited a seminary couple to do their practical ministry. God grew the church and the couple so that, after graduation, the husband was invited to be assistant pastor. God continued to bless so that in 2010 they called Jordão to be their pastor. We praise the LORD for another local church becoming autonomous.
During this time, we also began partnering with Igapó Batist Church in the initial stages of a church plant in the community of Upper Serrinha. They are under the pastoral ministry of a recent seminary graduate, Magno. We, along with God’s people in North America continue to assist their expansion as the LORD provides.
In 2010 we were invited to help in a pastoral transition at Cidade Satélite Baptist Church in a middle class neighborhood across town. We served alongside a seminary couple from the church. God blessed so that in 2015 Rúbens transitioned into the pastorate. We praise the LORD for how well that church is doing. Incidentally, this became the home church as our daughters have become young ladies and actively serve the LORD. Natalie was married here and her husband, Ariel, was called to be assistant pastor in 2019.
During this time God also began opening doors for a church plant in the neighborhood of Flores do Campo. Again, this is a team ministry with a seminary couple under the leadership of established local churches. After initial ministries we held our first service on Resurrection Sunday 2018. Our main activities include personal evangelism, Bible studies, assisting in music and encouraging Davi’s pastoral ministry. We, alongside of God’s people in North America, look forward to helping our national brethren in the construction as well.
Our Vision
2 Timothy 2:2
The things you have heard… entrust to faithful men…who…will teach others also.