Blue Valley Church, thanks to your generosity, Maranhão, Brazil, now has a new and dynamic church full of opportunities to bring God’s kingdom to this community. Congregação Igreja Batista Betel serves 238 Compassion participants, and, on average, 30 adults and 30 children attend weekly church services.
We’re pleased to bring you an overview of the construction process, a story of impact and some activity photos from the new church plant. We hope this impact report blesses you as you have been such a blessing to this community and their neighbors.
Pictured above, a group of participants sing a praise song during a church service.
Impact of Your Gift
When the church first heard of your gift to build this church, it was overjoyed and quickly started construction in April 2022. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the price of construction materials increased dramatically and caused a shortage of funds, slowing progress. The church invested local resources and received additional funding to complete the facilities. The church praises God for his provision and care, and it trusts him to give what is needed.
The project team hired the most qualified personnel for each stage of construction, and once the building was finished, the church held an inauguration ceremony. The inauguration was a full, fun day celebrating the many hands that helped with construction and God’s faithfulness throughout the process. The ceremony was a very emotional experience for the entire church as each congregant reflected on the hardships and victories they faced the last few years during construction. Despite challenges and setbacks, the church is immensely grateful for your gift and partnership with Compassion that made it all possible.
Weilla, a mother of a Compassion participant at this center, shares, “I want to praise the beautiful work of this project aimed at helping the most vulnerable people in our community. This center is truly changing the lives of so many children. At the center, they get to have fun, play with each other, learn God’s Word and go on field trips. I am so grateful that my daughter has the opportunity to participate in this program and that God placed it here in our midst. Thank you, supporters, for giving us this experience.”
Empowering Ministry Efforts
Congregação Igreja Batista Betel is far from idle. Their partnership with Compassion to bring a holistic child development program to their community equips the pastors and staff to meet the holistic needs of children and their families.
Children learn about God’s great love for them through his divine Son’s life. They learn good manners and healthy social, physical and emotional behaviors. Parents report seeing dramatic positive behavior changes in their children that have also improved home life and strengthened familial bonds. At the center, participants are eager to pray before meals and program activities, and they joyfully participate in center events.
The center hosts child protection and holistic health workshops for parents, equipping caregivers with the knowledge and education to raise their children in a wholesome, safe and healthy environment.
Marília, a 9-year-old participant at this center, says, “Before this church was here, I didn’t have anyone to talk to me and my family about God, and I didn’t know who Jesus was. Now, I practice good manners and love reading my Bible and learning from others at the church. This center has brought me so much hope, and I trust the staff, who cares for us. I have learned to respect those around me and how to read my Bible and memorize verses. Thank you so much for helping open this center. I really like it, and I have made a lot of new friends here. I am praying for you!”
Gratitude From Director Maria
The new church has changed many people’s lives here in our city. It has become a center of care for our participants and their families and brings many benefits. In our crime-vulnerable community, this center helps prevent children from early exposure and gives them an alternative influential environment. Parents also feel supported by the staff to provide a safe environment where they can raise their children using biblical principles.
I want to personally thank everyone who contributed to this project. We are so grateful God placed this center in our hands and together we will win lives for Christ as we do everything for his honor and glory. I am praying for each of you and I know that your gifts will continue to make a huge difference in the lives of these children. May the Lord bless you all!
A Church is Born
Blue Valley Church, as you can see, your investment in this Brazilian community is making a remarkable and life-changing impact. Lives are being saved and poverty quashed, and children who previously had no direction in life now have the support and protection to set them on a path toward a bright future. Thank you for partnering with Compassion International to bring real help and everlasting hope to children and their families living in extreme poverty. May God continue to bless you!