BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (BP) – Southern Baptists returning from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, are sharing testimonies of widespread revival in churches, communities, prisons and schools, following an 8-day schedule of crusades, medical ministries and other outreach efforts in this South American country.
Wayne Jenkins, director of evangelism and church growth for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said there were a recorded 3,202 salvation decisions resulting from events conducted July 10-17.
“God did exceedingly above all that we could think or ask,” Jenkins said.
“Even working for the first time with this Brazilian association, the way was smooth in constructing three church buildings in five business days and reaching the number of people who came to know Christ, especially in some difficult areas.
“Moreover, the Gospel was received by every age group and social class,” he added.
“On top of that,” Jenkins noted, “it is remarkable to think that Burl Cain was given favor, in such a short amount of time, in lining up the three entities in the country needed to get permission to replicate in a Brazilian federal prison the same spiritual and moral rehabilitation program we have in Angola.”
Cain served as warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola for 21 years before retiring in 2016.
In 1995, he initiated a four-year college degree program at the prison – with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary – which is now being reproduced around the United States because of its success in the moral rehabilitation of its graduates.
Jenkins coordinated the mission trip, his 25th to Brazil with the Louisiana Baptist Convention but the first time to work in Belo Horizonte. He was joined by 60 Louisiana Baptists representing 10 congregations, and another 37 Southern Baptists from Utah, Texas, North Carolina, Florida and California.
Jenkins said the group intends to return to Belo Horizonte next year to build on the work accomplished in 2016.
“One of the Brazilian convention officials told us this region has more cities with fewer believers than cities in Saudi Arabia,” Jenkins said.
“There is a place for everyone,” Jenkins said. “VBS teams, drama teams, construction teams, sports camp teams – every member of a family can find a place to plug in.