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United to Fulfill Jesus' Command
By Luis Biazotto

April 12 was a remarkable day for the members of the New Bedford, Fall River, and Seekonk Portuguese churches. The members of the district came together for the graduation of 85 lay Bible instructors and more than 100 members who finished Forty Early Mornings with God, a program involving intimate early-morning communion with God over a period of 40.

The message was delivered by Gerson P. Santos, North American Division Portuguese Ministries coordinator, who prepared the training material. Dionísio Olivo, Atlantic Union Hispanic Ministries vice-president, offered the dedication prayer for the newly certified lay Bible instructors. This is part of a one-year evangelism program that includes training and equipping church members, fostering spiritual growth, and uniting efforts to reach as many people as possible with the gospel.

Last year, during a student literature evangelism program, Paulo Vieira, the district pastor, asked me to prepare an evangelistic program involving the Light America Mission for 2008. The program is a one-year evangelism effort, not an event. It is divided into three cycles, and each cycle has different training for the church members. The first part of the training is a series of eight sessions to prepare lay Bible workers. According to Valadares de Mello, an elder from Seekonk, the training gave him an opportunity to develop his skills on witnessing, and to be more committed with his responsibility as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

At the graduation program the student LE’s and all the graduates received a missionary kit including a DVD player, DVDs, and Bible studies. They are motivated and equipped to fulfill the great commission. During the next series, they are going to be trained in small group ministries.

The plan was developed with the cooperation of the North American Division and Atlantic Union Portuguese Ministries, Southern New England Conference, and the Review and Herald Publishing Association. The Brazilian Adventist University will send six theology major students to serve as Bible workers for three months. All levels of the organization are participating, sharing experiences, efforts, and resources. The main purpose of the program is to promote a combined evangelistic program, not an event.

Another important aspect of this program is prayer. Acts 1:14 (NIV) says; “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” In all three parts of the program, the church is participating in the journey of spending early mornings with God. During this time, the members develop personal devotional time and prayer alone with God. Every one prays for five people who are not baptized. At the end of the 40 days, they invite the people they prayed for to attend a special program. More than 50 people came to the church on March 15 at the end of the first journey with God. As a result, 15 people have been baptized this year. Pastors, church members, teachers, students, colporteurs, evangelists, and administrators are all working together answering Jesus’ command to; “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . . ”—Matthew 28:19.

Luis Biazotto is the associate publishing director for the Southern New England Conference and the Review and Herald Publishing Association.