Tribal Ministries

by Roy Seals

When Jesus gave the Great Commission to the church, He made it clear that people everywhere were to be given His Message of redemption.

For South America that not only includes cosmopolitan cities such as Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Cities that offer all the modern conveniences that money can afford, but it also includes the hundreds of Indian villages in the dense Amazon. In these villages are thousands of Indians who are untouched by modern civilization.

All along the rivers of the dark and mysterious Amazon, Indian tribes live as they have for centuries. Their homes are mud huts with thatch roofs without any of the modern conveniences of the 20th century.

Although there are differences in their culture and lifestyle, these Indians have eternal souls for whom Christ died. It is our duty to reach them with the Gospel.

Because of this fact, God has called BIMI missionaries Clint and Rita Vernoy and Keith and Anita Brock to give their lives to a tribal ministry. Their desire to reach the Maquiritare Indians with the Gospel is the compelling force that has caused them to leave all the modern conveniences that America has. They are willing to live in a remote Indian village named Chajudana that the world would consider God-forsaken.

The village of Chajudana is not accessable by any roads. It can be reached by a two week canoe trip on a treacherous river or by a two hour airplane trip. This difference in time, energy and safety is obvious. For this reason BIMI feels compelled to develop an aviation ministry. This ministry will not only facilitate and enhance our ministry in Chajudana, but will also enable us to reach out to many other villages. Groups of Indians that live days, even weeks away by canoe, can be reached in minutes by plane. It will also contribute to the well-being of missionaries who have committed their lives and the lives of their families to the expansion of the jungle ministry.

If you could fly with me over the jungle, you would see scores of Indian villages that look like dots along the crooked rivers. I remember flying over the jungle wondering if they would ever be reached by a preacher of the Gospel. I saw dozens of villages that have a witch doctor and people dedicated to rituals and practices that are as wicked as they are ancient, yet they do not have a gospel preaching missionary or church.

You can help us make a difference in many of these Indian villages by becoming involved in our Venezuela Aviation Ministry. We need $150,000 to purchase a Cessna 206 airplane. This single engine, six passenger airplane with a load capacity of 1600 lbs., is capable of maneuvering the short airstrips found in the jungle. This aircraft will enable us to expand and accelerate our tribal ministry. The Lord has called and prepared Bryan and Kristin Baggett, BIMI missionaries, to provide this aviation ministry while pioneering a church planting ministry in the city of Ciudad Bolivar. Bryan is qualified to fly as well as maintain the airplane. These dedicated missionaries are enthusiastically engaged in deputation and will soon be on the field endeavoring to reach the thousands of Indians that need the Lord.

Your gift can make this a reality. Will you prayerfully consider giving to this project? Everyone can be involved because no gift is too small. However, if 150 churches or individuals gave $1,000 we could purchase the aircraft right away. All donations should be designated: “Venezuela Aviation Fund” Account 747.