Meet Pastor Odacir Biindchen
Pastor Biindchen serves Castelo Forte (A Mighty Fortress) Lutheran Church. His church literally must be a fortress as they share the word of Christ in a very rough part of Porto Alegre. The church building, formerly a bakery, has already been robbed several times. Members of Castelo Forte barely have the funds to live from day-to-day, much less to support a pastor.
It is only through the support of the Brazil Mission Society that Pastor Biindchen is able to serve the people who so desperately need the hope that Christ offers.
What is Ministry in Brazil like for a Pastor?
The average Lutheran Pastor in Brazil serves six or more congregations, some as many as twenty. Traveling by bus, bicycle, motor bike or on foot, he faithfully serves his flock and reaches out to others with the Gospel of Jesus. However, due to distance and inaccessibility, many preaching stations are visited infrequently.
Is Brazil facing a shortage of Pastors?
No! The seminary is full of eager students! What Brazil faces is a shortage of funds. Sufficient funds are not available to support all the mission opportunities open in Brazil.
“Your support of a pastor or vicar is like adding a member to your church staff who does full-time mission work in Brazil,” says Ken Mitschke, pastor of Word of Life in Schertz, TX. Word of Life, is a Lutheran mission congregation that uses a portion of its mission funds to support the work of the Brazil Mission Society.
The Brazil Mission Society sponsors pastors and vicars with prayer and financial support. Currently, 24 vicars serving in various ministries across Brazil receive BMS assistance. We’d like to see that number grow. Will you help?
Through cooperative efforts between the Brazil Mission Society and the IELB (Igreja Evangelica Luterana do Brasil) your congregation can:
- Send a pastor to begin a new ministry for just $7000 per year.
- Place a vicar in a mission start for one year for $3500.
- Purchase a motor bike for a mission pastor for $2500.
If you want to become an advocate for Brazil in your church, we can provide you with brochures, speakers or other resources. We’d love for you to talk to your Pastor and leaders about sponsoring a vicar or pastor in Brazil.
If you want more information on how to help, click here.