In 1935, our first missionaries arrived in Brazil by ship. In those early days, Brazilians threw stones at the missionaries and painted signs warning them they were not welcome. These missionaries’ sacrifices were remembered, along with God’s victories, at Brazil’s 75th anniversary family conference, held March 1–6, 2010, in the southern city of Campinas. More than 150 attended, including retirees, adult MKs, and Brazilian pastors and wives.
Keynote speaker Dr. Charles Petitt, president of Piedmont Baptist College, ministered to adults, and teens and children were treated to morning VBS sessions. As a special feature of the conference, missionaries gave presentations remembering the labors of past missionaries, assessing current work, and exploring future ministry. Attendees also heard moving tributes to over 60 missionaries now with the Lord.
“We’re standing on the shoulders of those who went before us,” says Brazil field council president John Swedberg and his wife Karen, reflecting on missionary pioneers who rode horses or donkeys to reach interior areas. Their untiring efforts laid a solid foundation for countless churches, seminaries, and an MK school that educated many current missionaries. Effective discipleship produced a strong Brazilian church that commissions its own missionaries. The Brazilians’ partnership was also honored at the conference.
In former days, says John Swedberg, a missionary could draw a crowd of hundreds by playing a trumpet in the town plaza. Now only two or three people would stop to listen. Modern Brazil has embraced the same distractions of busy American life, bringing new challenges to getting the gospel message heard. Obstacles may have changed over the years, but the 75th anniversary recharged our missionaries to face their challenges with the same perseverance and creativity as those who went before them.