It seems hard to believe that we are only in our fourth week of our School of Missions! Already so much has been taught, learned, and shared. Several months ago John Porter proposed to the South Florida Church of Christ and to the Florida Missions Council (FMC) that we begin a School of Missions.

This proposal came as a response to the many and pressing needs of our mission churches in South America. Although these churches have stabilized their membership and some are growing in number, an urgent need exists for trained full-time ministry leadership.

Six South American churches are currently led by volunteer ministers and lay members. The purpose of the new School of Missions is to strengthen, equip, and mature existing leadership and to train future leaders and missionaries.

Incredibly, with little promotion, the school has generated much enthusiasm! Many disciples have contacted the ministry staff in South Florida expressing dreams to go to the mission field or return to their home countries to win souls and help their families know the Lord.

Working with the Florida Missions Council, our church invited Flavio and Claudia Ferreira (Sao Paulo, Brazil Church Leaders), Christian and Luz Amestoy (Santiago, Chile Church Leaders) and Francisco and Liz Bedoya, who have served in the full-time ministry in several Spanish-speaking churches, to attend the eight-week course. Travel, food and housing have been provided to these families, as well as assistance with childcare and materials.

The curriculum began with the SFCC region leaders teaching in-depth classes in their areas of expertise. Additionally, many hours are being spent deepening relationships with the Porters, the Reuses and the Brushes. Our partnership and unity with our South American brothers is truly invaluable.

With the benefit of a clear vision and many disciples’ devotion to the mission field, God is clearing a way for those who have a heart for South America.

To learn more about the School of Missions, please contact John Porter at jjp513@comcast.net.