April 6 - The Neighbors Noticed

Josenildo used to drink and cause trouble in his neighborhood in Brazil. When the loud music and commotion from his house stopped one day, the neighbors got worried, only to find a surprise.

Salvador is known throughout Brazil
for having a vibrant, unique culture.

It boasts the fourth largest population
in Brazil

with almost three million people.

The Adventist Church
has experienced significant growth here,

with churches scattered
throughout Salvador.

Despite the strong Adventist presence,

there are still
unentered areas of the city.

Global Mission is working to identify
areas with no Adventist presence

and establish new congregations there.

Josenildo’s neighborhood
is one of these unentered areas.

He was known as a drunk nuisance
whose bad habits disrupted his family life

and the whole community.

Arivaldo, an Adventist, lived nearby

and ran into Josenildo often
on his way to work.

Arivaldo knew he was looking for work,

so he offered him a construction job
building churches.

It didn’t take long for the two of them
to become friends.

Arivaldo treated him with respect,
which made Josenildo wonder

why he was always so kind.

Over time, Arivaldo asked
if he was interested in Bible studies

and the two began reading
the Bible together.

Before I met Jesus,
I didn’t have happiness.

When I came to know Jesus,
my life was transformed,

and today, for God’s glory, I am happy.

My family also was transformed.

Josenildo was baptized
and changed for the better.

Even his neighbors took notice
of his transformation.

When the usual loud music
from his home stopped one day,

everyone wondered if he was okay.

When they checked on him,
they saw that Josenildo was a changed man.

He spoke kindly to them
and treated them respectfully,

and they wanted to know
what inspired these changes in his life.

Josenildo used this opportunity
to minister to his neighbors.

Every Friday night,

they gather in his living room
to talk about their week.

They bring their concerns,
requests, and praises here.

Josenildo points them to the Bible,

showing them a Creator
who cares deeply about them.

There’s even something for the children

as Josenildo’s daughter
leads an activity in the hallway.

This group has grown close,
and as a result,

10 people have already
been baptized this past year,

and more are studying for baptism.

Small groups like this one are the core
of church planting in Salvador.

Small groups develop into congregations,

and these congregations
divide into more small groups

that spread throughout the city.

Nearly five years ago,

the church leadership in Salvador’s state

had an ambitious goal
of building 1,000 churches in five years.

They reached their goal,
and the final church is being built

where a new congregation
will worship soon.

The goal of building 1,000 churches
across the state

isn’t just for the purpose
of having new buildings.

The church buildings represent
ever growing congregations of believers

who, like Josenildo,
have been changed by Jesus.

Jesus is good.
Jesus transforms.

Just as He transformed my life,

He can transform anyone’s life.

No matter the struggles someone may face,

Jesus has the power
to transform their life.

And more lives are impacted
as churches are planted

throughout the world.

Thank you for helping us change lives

by supporting church planting
through Global Mission!