History of Calvary Baptist
When the missionary team was ready to turn over the New Life Baptist Church in the hand of a Brazilian pastor in 1997, we prayed for God's direction over the next implantation of a church here in Sorocaba. In this neighborhood - called Red Earth at the time - already had homes, shopping, banks, schools and even churches, but no fundamental Baptist church that preached the Gospel. God provided the funds to purchase the land in September of 1997 and services began in January of 1998 on Sundays afternoons while we still attended our last church plant. Brothers of New Life Baptist came to participate and help in the services providing special music and greeters. Then several groups of Americans came to help finish the construction of the temple. During the construction process, intensive evangelism and discipleship was a main aspect of the beginning of this church; ladies Bible studies with some of the founding members of the church were taking place; a group of young men studied the Bible weekly. God added many souls that first year of 1998. We began Wednesday prayer meeting and several groups of new converts attended the series studies of Milk, Bread, Meat and Fish. During 1998 we had our first baptism, the first Vacation Bible School, a number of evangelistic services with preachers from the US. The official organization of the church took place in 2000. The blessing of Lord was present in this work and it was a wonderful time of seeing the transforming power of God in people's lives. Since then the neighborhood surrounding the church has grown. We never imagined it would be a hub of cultural life in our city – a missionary field without limits. The church has experienced glorious moments and difficult times, but God remains ever the same. He is still building His church and He desires the sacrificial participation of each member so that this church will continue to grow. |
Brazilians Called to Full-Time Service
From the beginning of this church plant we began making trips to the Bible College in Curitiba. Our youth and adults would stay for two days visiting classes and participating in the activities of every day Bible College life. On the home front we would consistently remind our youth of the needs around the world and with in their own country. We began supporting missionaries and brought them to present their ministries. The Lord began working in the heart of some of our people and soon we were sending off students to train for the ministry. Since that time their are five that have graduated and serving the Lord full-time in scattered areas of Brazil. |