By The Rev. Jeff Winter
During the summer of 2016, the eyes of the world will be watching as some 10,000 athletes from 200 countries and 500,000 spectators descend on Rio de Janeiro, the home of the Olympic Games. It will be far more than a sporting event. The games present a unique and extraordinary opportunity to share the Gospel. Brazilian Presbyterian churches can taste the excitement of reaching their community in fresh ways with the Good News. The vision of this partnership is that Brazilian Presbyterian churches in Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo will work with Presbyterian churches in the US to coordinate strategic outreach programs within the local churches’ neighborhood.
The Basics: A Brazilian Presbyterian church in Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo will partner with a Presbyterian church in the states. Mission teams from the US will be comprised of 6-10 team members who are age 13 and older. The team from the states will work with a designated coordinator from the local church in Brazil to establish the program of outreach for the week. This will be done through Skype, email or phone calls.
When: The outreach will last for one week (5-6 days) during the Olympic Games, which take place August 5-21, 2016. A mission team from the US will arrive a few days early to get ready to serve with the local team from the Brazilian church.
Where: Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo Mission teams will either stay with members of the local church they are serving or find housing in a local hotel. Teams will financially compensate the host families for housing and meals.
Cost: $1,900 – $2,300 per person
Breakdown of costs
$1,200 Airfare (will be lower the earlier flights are booked)
$100 Lodging if staying in a home
$250 Lodging if staying in a local hotel
$260 Visa and use of passport/visa company to expedite the visa (there is discussion between the US
and Brazil about eliminating the cost of a visa this summer).
$150 Food
Total $2,000 approximate
Mission teams from the US will also need to consider costs of bringing outreach materials from Brazil (e.g. VBS material, soccer balls, athletic equipment, prizes, cost to purchase Portuguese follow-up material, money to help pay for outreach dinners, rental of big screen TV, etc.). The cost of outreach material will vary from church to church. Passports are required. Check with you doctor about suggested immunization.
What will take place? During the week-long outreach to children, churches can do creative and performing arts, a sports camp, sports tournaments, a Vacation Bible Study with a sports emphasis, a mini-Olympics, prayer teams, use Campus Crusade for Christ Olympic DVD in Portuguese, the Jesus Film, street theater produced by YWAM (Youth With A Mission), and other planned activities. Fusion Youth and Community International UK has many suggestions for youth activities. Evening programs will be an outreach to all ages (big screen TV airing the Games, evangelistic talks, testimonies, food and drin ks served, etc). Creative programing will done between the Brazilian church coordinator and the US church coordinator. A follow-up program will be instituted by the local church.
Learning Opportunities: This cross-cultural experience is an excellent way to expose a Presbyterian congregation in the US with a Presbyterian congregation in Brazil. Those participating will learn the following:
- They will encounter God’s heart. Our God is a global God and his family represents “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).
- They will expand their limited or non-existent perspective about mission. We all get stuck in spiritual ruts.
3. They will become more grateful when they return from the trip to enjoy life’s little blessings.
4. They will discover their extended spiritual family while ministering with Christians from Brazil.
5. They will overcome some fears. Sometimes we need to run to the front of the battle to receive courage.
- They will expand their understanding of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19). To share the Gospel with the
whole world, we must be willing to pack our bags and leave home.
Who is behind this venture? Rev. Jeff Winter, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Haines City, Fla., has initiated this opportunity to connect Brazilian and USA Presbyterian churches for the purpose of reaching Brazilians with the Good News during the 2016 Olympic Games. He is working in conjunction with Rev. Jeff Ritchie of the Outreach Foundation, Tim Carriker, a long-term Brazilian missionary, the Rev. Jose Roberto Cavalcante and other leaders of the three main Brazilian Presbyterian denominations. Jeff also has support from Juan Sarmiento, Evangelism Catalyst for Presbyterian World Mission in Louisville, KY.
Planning to Go: If your church decides to become involved with this evangelistic and outreach endeavor, it is important that your church begins to make plans this coming summer. A Presbyterian church from the US will need to be matched with a Presbyterian church in Brazil. It will take time to raise funds for the team members and coordinate what kind of outreach you will do in Brazil. Every church situation is different. No two outreach programs will be the same.
For more information, contact Rev. Jeff Winter at JWinter777@aol.com.