It has been a little more than a year since we arrived in Brazil. When we look back over the past few years, we can see the hand of God leading us every step of the way. It started back when I was 17 years old in a church youth group. God began to deal with my heart about missions. After much prayer, God called me into missions. While I was attending Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, Florida, pursuing a degree in missions, I was required to go on a mission trip. At the time, my pastor, Rodney Kelley, happened to be traveling to Brazil to visit the ministry of BIMI missionary Jimmy Rose.
I was given the opportunity to accompany Pastor Kelley. During the trip, I was moved to compassion for this country in great need of the Gospel. I also saw the passion and burden that Brother Rose had for the people of Brazil. It was this missionary’s desire to see more churches planted in the country of Brazil. Even though he started several churches on his own and a Bible institute that is also reproducing churches, he was burdened to see more churches planted in Brazil. In the two weeks that I shared with Brother Rose, that passion and desire penetrated my heart. Although I had witnessed the need of other nations and was burdened for the world, God placed a special burden for Brazil on my heart. Not long after returning home, God called me to missionary ministry in Brazil.
Wanting to learn more about missions, I decided to attend CAMP BIMI I & II. I had heard that this would provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about missions. Upon arriving at CAMP BIMI, I sensed that the Holy Spirit had great plans in store for me that week. My intuition proved to be right. Thirty other young people joined me that week in a sincere search to know more of missions and God’s personal plan for our lives. Needless to say that search was not futile. A great work was done in many hearts that week…especially my own.
After we were married, Mandy also attended CAMP BIMI. We joined BIMI as missionaries to Brazil in June 2004. After two years of deputation, we left to begin ministry in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We immediately enrolled in language school and began the process of adapting to cross–cultural missionary life. It is amazing to see how our experiences at CAMP BIMI have become relevant in the current situation. Although the lessons that we learned at CAMP BIMI are too numerous to relate in one article, permit us to share an interesting, recent example.
Just a few months ago we both had dinner with a Brazilian family. Intestine soup was on the menu! I remembered how I had been required to eat all of the foods offered at CAMP BIMI. Being a picky eater, this proved to be quite a chore. Even though Brother Baughman would offer to eat some of the more challenging entrees for me, Mrs. Baughman always seemed to arrive in the nick of time and make me clean my plate! Little did I know how this simple exercise would come in handy in the real world of missions! I set my mind in CAMP BIMI mode…and tackled the soup, intestines and all.
CAMP BIMI also promoted the value of team work. Several activities and games are planned throughout the week to encourage working together as a team. We had to push our differences aside and put our ideas together to complete a specific goal or project. It helped us understand the importance of missionaries working together for the furtherance of the Gospel. This has also been put to the test on the mission field.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of CAMP BIMI was the opportunity to interact personally with some of the greatest missionaries and missionary leaders in the world. We were afforded an intimate perspective of missions…in every part of the world. Every day we learned and gleaned from their many different experiences on their respective fields. This knowledge has helped us avoid conflict and problems in these formative days of our ministry. We are convinced that every person at BIMI and CAMP BIMI loves the Lord and cares for souls. They have accomplished many great things for the cause of Christ. Being able to fellowship with them has motivated us to develop a deeper love for God and people and to attempt great things for God.
We are currently working and training with missionary Sean Lunday. He has established a church planting team in Sao Paulo that has provided many opportunities for ministry. I am involved in the music and video program and Mandy is helping with the children’s ministry. Our personal desire is to start a church in Sao Paulo or perhaps some other city and use this as a base for extensive church–planting ministry. We envision a ministry that will carry the Gospel throughout Brazil and around the world. This vision, of necessity, includes a Bible institute for training nationals. God has given us a special burden for the youth of Brazil. Our plans include various evangelistic efforts geared at reaching teenagers and young adults with the Gospel. Through eyes of faith, we look forward to the day that these dreams become reality for the people of Brazil.
We are thankful for those that God has placed in our paths who have encouraged us in this walk of faith. We are especially grateful to West Jacksonville Baptist Church for the blessing they have been as our sending church. How can we forget the dozens of other churches that have supported and helped us along the way? Neither can we forget the precious prayers and encouragement of friends and family. Emma Lee, our sweet little girl, is also a constant reminder of God’s love and grace. Finally, thank you, CAMP BIMI, for the huge part you played in helping and preparing us to serve the Lord in Brazil!
