World Of Witness - Brazil

Ministry

The Alliance of Evangelical Mennonite churches (AEM) is comprised of 37 Portuguese-speaking congregations with nearly 2500 members, serving 8 states of Brazil, and engaging new ministry opportunities nationally and overseas. In late 2005, AEM and its mission agency collaborated to plant a church in Palmas, capital of the state of Tocantins. Mennonite Church Canada Witness continues to walk with and encourage AEM with a grant which supports new church ministries. The Brazilian church, through its mission board (JMMI) has supported mission workers in Mozambique and Albania since 1999 and has explored ministry partnerships in western Europe. JMMI is also active in Brazil, promoting the work of its mission workers internationally and providing training, consultation, and support to regional churches interested in new ministries.

Celebrations

• Church planting vision within Brazil.
• Growing vision and capacity for mission nationally and internationally.
• Development of church-to-church interaction at the regional and national level which allows for diversity, yet encourages local autonomy and ministry initiatives.
• 2008 is the 10th anniversary of JMMI, the Brazilian Mennonite Mission agency.

Challenges

• Providing effective training in Anabaptist theology for local church leaders across a huge geographical area.
• Isolation from other South American Anabaptist churches because Brazil’s language is Portuguese, and not Spanish.
• Fostering unity and identity among churches that are geographically and culturally diverse.

Partners

• Mennonite Mission Network (MMN)
• Aliança Evangélica Menonita (AEM - Alliance of Evangelical Mennonite churches)
• Junta Menonita de Missões Internacionais (JMMI - International Mennonite Mission Board – International Mission arm of the AEM)

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