September Month of Prayer for the Gaucho People

September Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People

2011-10-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Metropolitan Porto Alegre area of South Brazil is home to more than 5 million Urban Gaúchos, less than 1% of whom have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. September is an important month for the Gaúchos, as it marks the anniversary of their civil war against Brazil which shaped their distinct cultural pride and fierce independence. Millions of Gaúchos turn out to celebrate their culture and heritage in civil war reenactments and celebrations this month. The Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People recognizes the spiritual significance of this month and draws together believers across geographical, cultural, and denominational lines to declare that September is a turning point when through prayer, the Gaúchos who have lived in darkness WILL see a great light, and that the gospel will take firm root and spread throughout this spiritually needy land. Pray that God would raise up more prayer warriors to stand with us and the Gaúchos before the throne of God and declare that God will raise up His church and that His light will shine brightly in Porto Alegre!

September 30 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

As the Whitentons begin to find their place in ministry in the city of Porto Alegre, please pray that they would develop a deep love for the Gaúchos and find creative ways to share the gospel. Ask that they would develop relationships with the Gaúchos that will lead to the reproducing of disciples, and that the Lord will provide opportunities for them to be a part of Bible studies in the homes of Gaúchos that will lead to the planting of new churches.

September 29 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

As you continue to pray for the Whitenton family, please pray for their adjustment as a family to a new culture, schooling situation, and language. As they begin homeschooling their children, pray for their successful learning and for a positive experience for everyone, to the glory of God. Pray that they will adjust to the many changes they are facing and that they will grow according the will of God. Also pray for their marriage to be strong and healthy and that it will continue to grow to be a witness to others around them, as well as asking that each member of their family will be protected spiritually, psychologically and physically from the attacks of the enemy.

September 28 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for IMB missionaries Joel and Tamara Whitenton and their family who have also just arrived in Porto Alegre after a time of Portuguese language study in the city of Riberão Preto. Please pray that each member of their family would become fluent in Portuguese as they continue to learn the language with tutors. Pray also that they would grow in their knowledge of the Gaúcho culture so that they can live and minister effectively.

September 27 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

As you continue to pray for the Ward family, please pray that a new Bible study or house church forms as Dee and Laura form new relationships. Ask God to assist them in developing friendships as they learn the language and that He will open the hearts of unbelievers to be receptive to studying His Word in small group settings.

September 26 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for new IMB missionaries Dee and Laura Ward, who have recently arrived in Porto Alegre. They are currently studying the Portuguese language full time with tutors. Please pray for quick language learning and the ability to recall what they have learned while speaking with people in the city. Also, please pray for their three young children, two of whom are attending Brazilian schools. Pray they make new friends quickly and that their transition into school goes well. Ask that this family will grow to love the people of Porto Alegre and will be used by God to spread His Good News.

September 25 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the Dunson family as they serve as missionaries with the IMB in Porto Alegre. Pray that their home schooling goes well, as both boys and Cam are adjusting to new curriculum this year. Pray that they would learn well and that their school and outside activities would all be done to the glory of God. Pray for spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial protection for the Dunsons as they live and serve in an environment full of witchcraft and false religions. Also ask God to grant them His wisdom, courage and power to proclaim His Word and the fullness of His gospel as they should.

September 24 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for IMB missionaries Jeff and Cam Dunson and their sons Blake and Parker. Jeff serves as the Team Strategy Leader for the IMB missionaries in Metropolitan Porto Alegre and works with Brazilians to help start new, reproducing churches. Jeff and Cam are also the mentors for the new missionary couples in the city. Please pray that God will give the Dunsons wisdom to know how to join with God in what He is doing in Porto Alegre. Also pray that they will know how to guide and help their new colleagues so that they can adjust well and move seamlessly into ministry in this desperately needy city.

September 23 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the ministry of the IMB missionaries of Team Gaúcho in Metropolitan Porto Alegre. There are currently three missionary families on the team, and there is an ongoing search for two more families. Pray that God would lead the right families to the team at the right time. Pray that God would pour out His Holy Spirit on these missionaries and that they would bear much fruit. Ask Him to lead them to the right people to work with and to influence for the Kingdom.

September 22 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the church planting efforts throughout the Metropolitan Porto Alegre area. Over 5 million people live in this area of vast urban sprawl, and there is only about one Baptist church for every 125,000 people. Ask God to raise up workers for the harvest who have a heart for starting and multiplying new churches. Pray that God would pour out His Holy Spirit in a way that has never been seen before, and that a tremendous spiritual awakening would sweep through the area which would bring lasting Kingdom transformation.

September 21 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

During the Summer months of December-March, millions of Gaúchos escape the heat of the cities in Metropolitan Porto Alegre and head to the coast. E. is leading a church plant in the coastal city of Tramandaí. Pray that E. would have the favor and anointing to reach both the permanent residents of the town as well as the tourists who flood the area in the Summer. Pray that God would use the light of the gospel in the lives of the believers to push back the darkness in this town which serves as a center of idol worship.

September 19 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for A.L. and his wife I., who are serving as the leaders of their local Baptist Association and revitalizing a church in the city of Guaíba. A.L. has a passion to lead his Association to have a vision for evangelism and church planting. Pray that God will give him strategies and the wisdom to know how to cast a new vision for expansion in an area where there has been little growth of new churches up until this point. Pray that new churches will be started and will thrive throughout this vast and needy area. Pray that God would bless their family.

September 17 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the church planting efforts in the Vila Jardim neighborhood of Porto Alegre. Pray that God would raise up church planters who can dedicate the necessary time to evangelizing the neighborhood and conducting Bible studies. Pray that God would push back the strongholds that hold the neighborhood in darkness and that the gospel would take firm root. Pray for much fruit and a strong, solid, and reproducing church to be firmly established in this neighborhood.

September 16 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Pray for M., a new Brazilian Baptist Home Missionary in the city of Arroio dos Ratos. M. has a tremendous heart for evangelism, and has become known throughout the city as the “man of faith with the bike,” as he rides his bicycle around and plays Christian music and preaches over the built-in sound system. Pray that M. would remain faithful and that God would bless him and his young family with much fruit. Pray that the church would be firmly established very quickly and that this church would become a base for starting new churches in the surrounding cities of Triúnfo and São Jeronimo.

September 15 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the community development work of Mont’ Serrat Baptist Church on the “Island of the Flowers” in the Guaíba river in Porto Alegre. Pray for S. as she leads this project and reaches out to the poorest of the poor who live off the scraps of garbage from the city. Pray that God would show her how to prioritize her time and where to focus her energy in the midst of so many overwhelming needs. Pray that God’s love would shine brightly and that many lives would be transformed as God’s people serve as His hands and feet to those in need.

September 14 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the new church plant in the Lomba do Pinheiro area of Porto Alegre. This church plant in a shockingly destitute slum was started by the church plant in the Partenon neighborhood and is outgrowth of several years of social outreach in the community. Pray that God would bless this new church start with growth and physical and spiritual protection, as well as provide them with the financial resources to help effect positive physical change in the lives of those in this needy community.

September 13 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for G. and R. and the church plant in the violent, drug-ridden Porto Alegre neighborhood of Partenon. A large witchcraft center with a gruesome idol out front is located just yards from the front door of the church building. This new church has lively, vibrant worship and an active outreach to the families of inmates and the poor and destitute around them. They are currently planting another new church. Please pray that God would keep G. and R. strong and holy, and that He would continue to grow the work in Partenon and expand their vision for starting new works and reaching more people for Christ.

September 12 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for E., who serves as the Executive Director for the State Baptist Convention of Rio Grande do Sul. E. left the business world, and took the position at the State Convention during a leadership and economic vacuum. His skills brought fiscal and administrative stability and accountability. Despite some serious health difficulties, he has been a tireless advocate in favor of church planting in Rio Grande do Sul throughout the nation of Brazil. Please pray for E’s health and ask that God would give him tremendous wisdom and vision as he leads the Baptists in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

September 11 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for A. and S., who are starting a church in the downtown area of the city of Gravataí on the outskirts of Porto Alegre. The church meets in a storefront and draws a mix of people from both the downtown area and the outlying slums. Ask God to bless the efforts of A. and S. to plant a relevant church in a strategic location, and to give them wisdom in knowing how to move forward and meet the spiritual needs of a diverse group of people. Also ask God to bless their young family.

September 10 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for B. and B., a young couple with the Brazilian Baptist Home Mission Board who are starting a new church in the Bom Jesus (good Jesus) neighborhood of Porto Alegre. Pray that God would anoint them with wisdom and maturity, as well as great favor with the people in the community they are trying to reach. Ask that God would multiply their efforts and give them His power and grace as they face opposition from spiritist and other religious groups.

September 9 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for E. as he serves as the outreach and missions pastor of a strategic church in Porto Alegre. Pray for E. as he supervises and recruits church planters and leaders, and ask God to give him a clear vision of His mission for the church. Ask God to bless his dedication with a flood of new churches spreading through the Metropolitan Porto Alegre area.

September 8 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for G. and his family and who are planting a church in a large slum in the city of Gravataí near the capital city of Porto Alegre. The church meets in the small open courtyard of a local public school. The church has excellent relationships with school officials and has more children than adults, but has not seen much numerical growth since their initial beginnings. G. and his family are also involved in helping another church plant more than two hours away. Please pray that the church would grow in maturity and numbers, and that God would raise up more leaders to come alongside G. and his wife.

September 7 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for R. and A., church planters in a desperately poor slum on the outskirts of the city of Porto Alegre. The church plant started several years ago, and has met in homes, a public school, and rented facilities. They are currently meeting in a former grocery store. R. and his wife A. have moved into the community and immersed themselves in the struggles and day-to-day lives of the people. Please pray that they will be able to build relationships which will enable them to share the gospel and establish a solid foundation in Christ for the work. Pray that this church plant will soon begin to birth other church plants and that R. and A. will be encouraged and stay strong and holy in the Lord.

September 6 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for E., a young believer in the Italian community of Alto Caraá on the outskirts of the Southern Brazilian megacity of Porto Alegre. E. was won to Christ as the result of the ministry of a new church plant in a community several hours away, and was the first believer in Jesus Christ ever in his community. E. has remained faithful despite misunderstandings and persecution, and continues to learn how to reach out to his community and a nearby Indian tribe. Please pray that he will remain strong in the Lord, and that the Holy Spirit will bless his testimony and life with great fruit.

September 5 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Praise God for what He is doing in and through the lives of F. and A. This young couple is leading the new church plant in the Menino Deus neighborhood after having planted another church on the outskirts of Porto Alegre. They have faced a series of health situations, but have persevered despite the difficulties. Please pray that God would completely heal all the members of their family and that He would use what they have gone through to help them to reach out to others.

September 4 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the brand new church plant in the Menino Deus neighborhood of the city of Porto Alegre. Missionaries have prayed and planned for years for a church plant in this area, but it has never taken root until now. The neighborhood is strategically located in the heart of the city and the residents have shown openness to the gospel as it is presented within the context of relationships with trusted friends. Two home groups are in place and the church will be holding its third monthly celebration service this month. Pray that the gospel will firmly take hold and that this church will grow strong and healthy.

September 3 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the church planting efforts among the urban poor in the city of São Leopoldo in the Southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. A. and T. were trained by IMB missionaries and are leading a group in their home with the principles they learned. Please pray for A. and T. as they work bi-vocationally and lead this group, and ask the Father to give them time, courage, and wisdom to know how to reach out to their unsaved neighbors. Ask God to multiply their efforts and to use both them and their church plant as an example to other leaders of how to plant new, highly reproducible churches.

September 2 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for R. and I., who are in the beginning stages of starting a new house church in the city of São Leopoldo on the outskirts of Porto Alegre. Ask God to give them the time they need to build relationships and evangelize, even as they work and study. Ask God to lead them to people of peace and to have the wisdom to know how to disciple them and bring them to maturity in Christ.

September 1 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2011-09-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

September Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People

2010-10-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

IMB Missionaries Jeff and Cam Dunson Write: The Metropolitan Porto Alegre area in South Brazil is home to more than 5 million Urban Gaúchos, less than 1% of whom have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. September is a key month in the history of the Gaúcho people, as it serves as the anniversary of their failed civil war against Brazil many years ago. This war has marked the psyche of the Gaúchos, and millions will turn out to celebrate their culture and heritage in civil war reenactments and celebrations this month. The Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People recognizes the spiritual significance of this month and draws together believers across geographical and denominational lines to take a stand and declare that September is a turning point when through prayer, the people who have lived in darkness WILL see a great light, and that the gospel will take firm root and spread throughout this needy land. Pray that God would raise up prayer warriors this month to stand with us and the Gaúchos before the throne of God and declare that Porto Alegre will become a place where God is greatly glorified.

September 30 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the Whitenton family who have just begun a year of Portuguese language study in the city of Riberão Preto and are scheduled to arrive in Porto Alegre in July of 2011. Pray that God will give them the wisdom and patience to learn the language so that they can be able to communicate and minister to the Brazilian people. Please pray that they will be able to continue to learn about the Brazilian culture and people so that they can better understand how to relate to them. Pray that the recent friendships that have been formed with Brazilian nationals can materialize into opportunities for ministry. Pray that the Whitenton family will continue to grow strong in their relationship and walk with the Lord.

September 29 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for newly appointed IMB missionaries Dee and Laura, who are preparing for service in Porto Alegre. They are currently in training in Virginia and will be going to mega-city training in Canada the first of October. Pray for smooth transitions with their 3 young children and for their family to grow together even when facing adversity. Their visas are still in process, so pray for God to place government officials where needed to expedite their visas and approve them without hesitation. Pray for easy language acquisition as they will be immersed in full time language learning once they reach Brazil. Finally and foremost, pray for them to have boldness to share their faith and that Christ will be glorified in all they say and do.

September 28 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for IMB missionaries Mike and Donna and their two children as they serve in the city of Caxias in the mountains on the outskirts of Metropolitan Porto Alegre. Ask that God would bless their relationships with their Brazilian colleagues and give them great fruit in their work. Also ask for God’s blessing on the schooling of their children, protection over their family and blessing on their marriage.

September 27 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

God is at work in the greater Caxias area on the outskirts of Metropolitan Porto Alegre, gathering 10 missionary couples from 4 different Baptist agencies in the last two years! We expect 2 more couples to arrive before the end of the year. Since most of these couples and agencies do not know each other, we recognize that this is not a coordinated human effort, but God at work. You have prayed for laborers in the harvest fields of Rio Grande do Sul. God is answering that prayer! Pray that the missionaries, the established churches and the new churches would sense God at work among them, that they would work together in unity, and that God would bring great fruit from their labors.

September 26 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for D., a new believer planting a church in an area on the outskirts of Porto Alegre. While still unsaved, D. had a dream in which he built a church to which people fled from danger. He quit his job and began to build a building, and then shortly after, met a missionary who led him to Christ. D. is now growing in the Lord and leading a small group of believers. Please pray that D. would grow quickly in his faith in Christ and that this church plant would grow strong and reproduce other churches.

September 25 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for IMB missionaries Bill and Cheryl, who work with upper-class professional Gaúchos in the Metropolitan Porto Alegre area. Pray for protection over them, and ask that God would give them clear direction in where they should focus their efforts and with whom they should work. Pray that God would enable them to group their evangelistic contacts together for evangelistic Bible studies, and that these would bear fruit in professionals receiving Christ and growing in their faith in churches spreading throughout the area.

September 24 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for IMB missionaries Jeff and Cam Dunson and their sons Blake and Parker. Jeff serves as the Team Strategy Leader for the IMB missionaries in Metropolitan Porto Alegre and works with Brazilians to help produce new, reproducing churches. Please pray for spiritual, physical, and financial protection for the Dunsons. Ask that God would give them tremendous supernatural wisdom in knowing how, where, and with whom to work. Also ask God to grant them much fruit for His glory and His power to proclaim His Word and the fullness of His gospel as they should.

September 23 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the church planting efforts throughout the Metropolitan Porto Alegre area. Over 5 million people live in this area of vast urban sprawl, and there is only about one Baptist church for every 125,000 people. Pray that God would raise up workers for the harvest who have a heart for starting and multiplying new churches. Pray that God would pour out His Spirit in a way that has never been seen before, resulting in unity that would propel His Kingdom forward in dramatic new ways.

September 22 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for E. and the church plant in the coastal city of Tramandaí. This church has tremendous potential to impact not only the permanent residents of the town, but also the millions of tourists who flock to the coast during the Summer months of January-March. Pray that E. would be able to provide solid, stable leadership, and that God would give Him innovative strategies to spread the Gospel and grow God’s Kingdom on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul.

September 21 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

As part of a seminary class assignment, V. started an evangelistic Bible study with a group of elderly Catholic ladies a number of years ago. The ladies all ended up giving their lives to Christ as they studied the scriptures. Pray that this group would continue and that more would join and give their lives to Christ. Also pray that God would provide solid leadership and transform this Bible study into a self-sustaining and growing church.

September 20 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for P., an evangelist and church planter in the city of Novo Hamburgo, in greater Porto Alegre. P. has a heart for evangelism and church planting, but has received little support for his passions from those around him. Despite this, he has started two new Baptist works. Please pray that these works will thrive and grow, and that God would raise up more leaders to walk alongside P. in his work. Pray that God would bless P. both spiritually and financially and would continue to grow his desire to see the Kingdom of God spread throughout his city.

September 19 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for A.L., the pastor of a church in the city of Guaíba who has a passion to lead his local Baptist Association to have a vision for church planting. Pray that God will give him strategies and the wisdom to know how to cast a new vision for expansion in an area where there has been little growth of new churches up until this point. Pray that new churches will be started and will thrive throughout this vast and needy area.

September 18 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for V., a church planter in the city of Sobradino. V. started this new church a year and a half ago with evangelistic Bible studies. Pray that V. will be filled with God’s Spirit and will have wisdom and courage as he proclaims God’s Word. Also pray that the group will grow in numbers and maturity and will be firmly established in a short period of time.

September 17 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for R. and the church plant in the Vila Jardim neighborhood of Porto Alegre. This church plant started several years ago, but has struggled to take hold in an area saturated with voodoo-like spiritism and drugs. Pray that God would push back the strongholds that hold the neighborhood in darkness and that the gospel would take firm root. Pray that R. would be able to dedicate the necessary time to evangelizing the neighborhood and conducting Bible studies. Pray for much fruit.

September 16 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for E. and T., who are planting a church in what used to be a carpenter’s shop in the neighborhood called “The Place of the Skull” in the city of Gravataí. E. gave up a career as a physicist to go into the ministry and is working bivocationally so that he can devote as much time as possible to the ministry. Please pray that God would bless E. with wisdom, patience, and a vision for multiplying the church throughout the rapidly expanding area where they are located.

September 15 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the social outreach efforts of the church plant in Partenon and Mont’ Serrat Baptist Church on an island in the Guaíba river in Porto Alegre. The project has involved women from the churches going and providing food, love, and practical help to the poorest of the poor who survive off of the scraps of recycled organic garbage dumped on the island for pigs to eat. Pray that God would enable His servants to show His love and care for those who have been cast off by society in such a way that they would embrace His love and come to salvation. Pray that a church would be established on the island in short order, and that it would become a shining example of how a community can be transformed by the love of Christ and His church.

September 14 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the new church plant in the Lomba do Pinheiro area of Porto Alegre. This church plant in a shockingly destitute slum was started by the new church in the Partenon neighborhood and is the result of several years of social outreach in the community. Pray that God would bless this new church start with growth and physical and spiritual protection, as well as provide them with the financial resources to help effect positive physical change in the lives of those in this needy community.

September 13 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for G. and R. and the church plant in the Porto Alegre neighborhood of Partenon. This church started several years ago in a neighborhood which contains one of the largest prisons in the state and is dominated by spiritism, drugs, and violence. The church has been characterized by vibrant worship and an active outreach to the poor and destitute around them. This new church plant is currently planting another new church and has a social action project in another area of the city. Please pray that God would keep G. and R. strong , and that He would continue to grow the work in Partenon and expand their vision for starting new works and reaching more people for Christ.

September 12 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for E., who is currently serving as the Executive Director for the State Baptist Convention of Rio Grande do Sul. E. took office during a period of chaos in the Convention and brought fiscal and administrative stability and accountability. His vision for church planting has helped push the Baptist Convention forward. He will be stepping down because of health reasons as soon as his replacement is found. Please pray that God will heal E., and will guide those who will be selecting the new Executive Director to choose someone with strong ethics, good interpersonal and organizational skills, and most of all, a vision for church planting and the expansion of the Kingdom.

September 11 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for A. and S., who are starting a church in the downtown area of the city of Gravataí on the outskirts of Porto Alegre. When they first started the work, they sold homemade baked goods out of the trunk of their old car just to have money to eat. The church currently meets in a storefront and is drawing a mix of people from both the downtown area and the outlying slums. Ask God to bless A. and S.’s evangelistic efforts, and to give them wisdom in knowing how to move forward and meet the spiritual needs of a diverse group of people.

September 10 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for B. and B., a young couple with the Brazilian Baptist Home Mission Board who are working to plant a new church in Porto Alegre. Pray that God would give them wisdom and maturity, as well as great favor with the people in the community they are trying to reach. Ask that God would multiply their efforts and give them His power and grace as they face opposition from spiritist and other religious groups.

September 9 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for R., who was involved in helping start several new churches in greater Porto Alegre. He is currently on staff of a church and seeking to recruit and mentor new church planters in the city. Pray that he will maintain his vision and focus on church planting and that God would bless his dedication with a flood of new churches spreading through the Metropolitan Porto Alegre area.

September 8 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for G. and his family and who are planting a church in a slum area in the city of Gravataí near the capital city of Porto Alegre. The church has been meeting for several years in the open courtyard of a local public school. The church has excellent relationships with school officials and has more children than adults, but has not seen much numerical growth since their initial beginnings. G. and his family have sacrificed much and are involved in helping another church plant more than two hours away. Please pray that they and the church would grow in maturity and numbers, and that God would bless them with more strong leaders to come alongside G. and his wife.

September 7 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for F. and A. This young couple planted a church in a slum area on the outskirts of Porto Alegre and then handed the reigns over to another couple and moved on to a staff position at a large church in another state. They have since returned to Porto Alegre and are searching for God’s will for their lives, including whether God would have them plant another church in the Gaúcho capital.

September 6 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for E., a new believer in the Italian immigrant community of Alto Caraá on the outskirts of the Southern Brazilian megacity of Porto Alegre. E. was the first believer in Jesus Christ in the history of his county, and has since been involved in leading a few of his neighbors to Christ. He is being discipled and is learning how to lead the new church that God is forming in his community. Please pray that he will remain strong in the Lord, and that the Holy Spirit will bless his testimony and life with great fruit. Also pray for the new believers as they are facing persecution from their Catholic neighbors.

September 5 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for R., a new church planter in a poor slum on the rural outskirts of the Southern Brazilian megacity of Porto Alegre. The church plant started several years ago, and has met in homes, a school, and rented facilities. They are currently meeting in a former grocery store. R. and his wife A. moved into the community and stepped into leadership at the church plant a few months ago. Please pray that they will be able to provide stability and build relationships which will enable them to share the gospel and build a solid foundation in Christ for the work. Pray that this church plant will soon begin to birth other church plants and that R. and A. will be encouraged and stay strong and holy in the Lord.

September 4 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the church planting work in the Menino Deus neighborhood of the city of Porto Alegre in Southern Brazil. This upper middle class neighborhood is strategically located and the residents have shown openness to the gospel. Several church small groups and outreaches to athletes have proven to be successful, but actual church planting has not yet gotten off the ground. Please pray that God would raise up workers for the harvest, and that in short order, we will be able to celebrate in how God has raised up a vibrant, reproducing Christian community in Menino Deus.

September 3 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the church planting efforts among the urban poor in the city of São Leopoldo in the Southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. A simple church was planted under IMB leadership several years ago that ended up not surviving long term. However, one of the leaders who was trained in that church planting effort later started a new group in his home using what he learned. That group is now thriving and has twenty people participating in weekly Bible study and church life. Please pray for A. and T. as they lead this group, and ask the Father to multiply their reach and to use this group both as a mother church to other simple churches and an example to other leaders of how to plant new churches.

September 2 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Please pray for L and L, a church planting couple in the unreached Mega City of Porto Alegre, in South Brazil. After completing an internship in a simple church plant on the outskirts of the city, L declared that he would “plant a church in Porto Alegre or die.” This couple and their young child are now looking for the most strategic place in the city and the best way to plant to make the biggest potential impact. Please pray that God would lead them to the right location and strategy, and that they would have tremendous wisdom to go along with their passion to reach this vitally important city.

September 1 Prayer Request for the Gáucho People

2010-09-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Metropolitan Porto Alegre area in South Brazil is home to more than 5 million Urban Gaúchos, less than 1% of whom have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. September is a key month in the history of the Gaúcho people, as it serves as the anniversary of their failed civil war against Brazil many years ago. This war has marked the psyche of the Gaúchos, and millions will turn out to celebrate their culture and heritage in civil war reenactments and celebrations this month. The Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People recognizes the spiritual significance of this month and draws together believers across geographical and denominational lines to take a stand and declare that September is a turning point when through prayer, the people who have lived in darkness WILL see a great light, and that the gospel will take firm root and spread throughout this needy land. Pray that God would raise up prayer warriors this month to stand with us and the Gaúchos before the throne of God and declare that Porto Alegre will become a place where God is greatly glorified.

2009-10-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

IMB Missionaries Steve and Michelle Riddle write:

There are some forty million Gaúchos in South America; People with rich traditions and strong ties to family and to the land. But they are peoples who, for the most part, have never had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. Eleven million of these peoples live in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and we have the challenge and the privilege to share Jesus with these wonderful people. Every year we ask our friends and supporters to join us in daily prayer for the people of Rio Grande do Sul for thirty days. We provide this list of prayer requests so that you can pray and be informed about the Lord’s work here.

Thank you for praying and thank you for the victories your prayers will lead to in the reaching of the Gaúchos.

September 30

2009-09-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

Pray for obedient servants who will accept the challenge in Rio Grande do Sul and strive to reach the many different peoples that form this beautiful tapestry of cultures and heritage.

September 29

2009-09-29T18:45:00.000-07:00

With almost 400 municipal districts with no Baptist work, the challenge is great. The opportunities are greater still. There are doors open but it requires the Lord’s wisdom to know the places and the timing. Pray for that all will be done according to the Lord’s plan and that He will receive the honor and glory for the victories.

September 28

2009-09-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

Pray for the North Region. This area lies between the Missions and the Mountains and has the problems of both regions. The large numbers of Italians and Germans have strongly held traditions. The Gaúcho influence of independence is also strongly felt. This makes the task to plant churches more difficult. But the work has been growing in places like Erechim and Passo Fundo. The work in Carazinho, after a very difficult time, is advancing. Pray that the Lord will provide even greater victories in the days ahead.

September 27

2009-09-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Riddles in Ijuí. We have seen good times and tough times but the Lord has blessed through all this. We love the people and the work and are excited about what the Lord has in store for the years ahead. Pray that we will be able to see the Gaúcho people as the Lord sees them and that we will follow His leadership in the most effective way to win the lost, disciple the believers, and multiply the churches.

September 26

2009-09-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

Pray for the efforts in ICASAP (Ijuí, Cruz Alta, Santo Ângelo, and Panambi.) This region has a strong group of churches which could serve to start new works. When we arrived in the region, these four communities and surrounding area had seven churches and one mission point. Today there are eleven churches and eight missions plus a number of group studies that could become churches. Pray that more churches will grasp the vision for growth.

September 25

2009-09-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Pioneer Baptist Convention. This fellowship of Baptist churches has work in six states of Brazil including more than twenty-five churches in Rio Grande do Sul. They also sponsor work for orphans, senior citizens homes, missionaries, church planting, and the Faculdade Batista Pioneira in Ijuí. This convention was founded by German Baptist almost 100 years ago but has work with various ethnic and cultural groups and continues to plant works among the traditional Brazilian communities.

September 24

2009-09-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Missions Region. This is the northwest corner of the state of Rio Grande do Sul and is a strong agricultural region with soy beans, corn, wheat, oats, and other crops. Part of the challenge to reaching this region is the large number of municipal districts; more than 125 and only a few have a Baptist church. There has been a renewed effort to start works in the area including Augusto Pestana, Santa Barbara do Sul, Ijuí, and other locations. But the cities that are open to start work is a long list: Coronel Barros, Entre Ijuís, Horizontina, Pejuçara, Bozano, and many, many more.

September 23

2009-09-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Frontier Region which is suffering from a terrible drought. Although most of the state has faced the challenge and the rains have returned, the frontier region has not caught up and desperately needs more rain. The region produces rice which requires a significant rainfall.

September 22

2009-09-22T18:41:00.000-07:00

Pray for the traditionalists of Rio Grande do Sul. The celebration of the rich culture of the Gaúcho is an important part of their identity. Unfortunately, the traditions often mean more than the truth of Jesus Christ. They know that to accept Christ requires changes in their lives and lifestyles and they are not willing to give up the past to receive the potential blessing of the future. Pray that they will see that Jesus is the best decision they could make and that He will always give more in return than we can imagine.

September 21

2009-09-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Please pray for the Gaúchos in the state capital city of Porto Alegre. This week is key for their identity as a people as they spend the month celebrating their cowboy history and heritage and their failed civil war against Brazil. Pray that the Gaúcho believers will channel their cultural pride into a desire to see their people reached for Christ. Pray that God will show the churches how to use the culture to reach out and start new, contextualized churches that reach their people where they are at. Pray that God will start a move of His Holy Spirit during this important month that will sweep through the Gaúcho people and transform them into a people who take great pride in calling on their true King, Jesus Christ.

September 20

2009-09-20T18:37:00.000-07:00

Today is the celebration of the Farroupilha Revolution. In the 1830s the imperial government attempted to dominate and tax the people of the territory which is the present day Rio Grande do Sul. This led to a revolt in 1835 and a war that lasted for ten years. The state flag of Rio Grande do Sul still bears the title of the Riograndense Republic and takes great pride in the self-determination and individualism of the soldiers of that era. This strong individualism still dominates the character of the Gaúcho. It also makes it difficult to win the Gaúcho to the Lord. Pray that the people will retain their pride but will see that the only solution for the dominance of sin is the salvation that can only come from Jesus.

September 19

2009-09-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Frontier Region. This area runs along the border with Uruguay and Argentina and is the cultural heartland of the Gaúcho people. This is the cattle country and the location which has held the strongest ties to the past and the Gaúcho heritage. It is common to see the people riding the range in the traditional garb. Celebrations of the past are regular occurrences. It has been difficult to plant churches in the region and the few that have been planted have remained weak and small.

September 18

2009-09-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

Pray for the state Baptist Camp in Itaara, just north of Santa Maria. A small rustic setting yet it has been used by the Lord to win souls, disciple believers, and train leaders for the future. Although we as missionaries are not directly involved in the work at the camp, we have seen the results in changed lives and renewed commitments. Pray that the camp will continue to be used for the Lord’s glory and that hundreds more will be impacted by this ministry.

September 17

2009-09-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

Pray for the city of Santa Maria. This city of over 270,000 has one of the highest concentrations of students and military in all of Brazil. This has made the city an important center for education and communications. The churches in the city have a vision for growth and for new works. There are still dozens of cities nearby without evangelical witness but the opportunities for new work are greater than ever.

September 16

2009-09-16T18:35:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul. The geographic heart is also the center for agriculture and education. The cities of the region have been involved in the leadership of the state and the country for many years and the look to continue this trend for many years to come. The openness to the Gospel has been seen more in this part of the state than any other. The work is still slow but there are far more open doors for the work. Pray that the efforts will bear much fruit for the Lord.

September 15

2009-09-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Southern Region outside of the two largest cities. Although the region has a smaller population and the cities are spread over a large area, there are open doors which could allow a rapid multiplying of churches in the region. Pray for the vision that will have the churches grow and reachout.

September 14

2009-09-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul. The greater part of the population live in the cities of Rio Grande and Pelotas. These are major ports for Brazil and efforts to reach these cities could impact work with thousands who work the ships that come to the state. There are some particular challenges to the work. The health challenges include AIDS tuberculosis, leprosy, and others. The rise of the spiritist religions and sects has impacted the communities. Pray for the churches to be strong in the Lord and wise in the use of time and resources. Pray with us for someone to accept the challenge to be missionary leaders in the region.

September 13

2009-09-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Pray for the summer impact efforts along the coast of Rio Grande do Sul. Summer in Brazil is generally considered December through February. Many of the people in the cities will flee to the coastal region for a time of relaxation. People from other countries also make the journey to the Gaúcho coast. This is a great opportunity for evangelism. As the weather has gotten warmer, many are already headed to the beach for the weekends. Pray that an effective outreach plan will be used to win these travelers to the Lord and that greater efforts will be made to connect them to churches when they return home.

September 12

2009-09-12T18:32:00.000-07:00

Pray for the work of the Baptist Convention of Rio Grande do Sul. In recent years financial challenges have limited the work. The leadership has worked for the past several years to get the house in order and in the last two years has made a concerted effort to increase the number of workers and number of churches in the state. The spirit of the convention is the best it has been in a long time and the vision to reach the state is greater than ever. Pray for the resources and the conviction to reach all the municípios (counties) with the Gospel.

September 11

2009-09-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

Pray for Bill and Cheryl Arbo. They are reaching out to one of the least responsive groups in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A group that is estimated to be less than ∏ of 1 % evangelized. Pray that they will not become discouraged but will be given greater fruit for their efforts n the Lord’s name. Pray for them as they prepare for stateside assignment.

September 10

2009-09-10T18:31:00.000-07:00

Pray for Larry and Marla Greene and their children Kristina, Mary, Luke, and Landon. They serve as church planters working in the Greater Porto Alegre Region. With the challenges of the false religions and the pervasive materialism of the region, their task is extremely difficult. Pray for the insights and the encouragements as they serve the Lord. Presently they are on stateside assignment so pray for time with family and friends and as they share the challenges of their work.

September 9

2009-09-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

Pray for Jeff and Cam Dunson and their boys Blake and Parker. This couple leads the Gaucho Team in Greater Porto Alegre. The task they have to coordinate and develop plans to reach the millions in the region is overwhelming. Pray that they will have the strength and wisdom to do all God has called them to do. Presently they are on stateside assignment so pray for a time of personal renewal and of sharing the mission task.

September 8

2009-09-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

The Greater Porto Alegre Area of Rio Grande do Sul includes all the cities around the capital of the state. Well over 4,000,000 people live in the region and there are only two dozen churches working to reach the communities. If the capital could be reached, the task of reaching the rest of the state could be a lot simpler but the cultures and diversity of the region will make reaching the people a tremendous challenge.

September 7

2009-09-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today is the celebration of Brazilian independence from Portugal. On this date in 1822, the Imperator Dom Pedro I declared Brazil separate and independent. The desire for freedom is tremendous. Pray that the people of Brazil will see the need to be freed from the bondage of sin and receive the glorious freedom that is in Christ Jesus.

September 6

2009-09-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

Pray for the outreach to the large population of German heritage in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Working with this group is a special challenge because the dialects are so different and often the people are in very small communities. Pray for Daniel and Teresa Allen and their sons Joseph and John as they seek for innovative means to reach the people and plant simple churches in the communities.

September 5

2009-09-05T18:27:00.000-07:00

Pray for Robert and Kerri Hamilton and their children Katharine, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Samuel as they prepare to begin the work to reach the Italians in Rio Grande do Sul. They are presently studying the language and culture of Brazil in Riberão Preto. They will finish their course there in December and be moving to the mountain region of the state. Pray for them to continue to have a strong walk with the Lord and be given the insight into bringing down the barriers that have limited the response to the Gospel by this people group.

September 4

2009-09-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

Pray for the Italian population of the state of Rio Grande do Sul and all of Brazil. More than 30% of the people of Rio Grande do Sul claim Italian heritage. Millions more of Brazilians throughout the country do as well. Because of traditions and strong family loyalty, it has been difficult to reach this group with the saving message of Jesus Christ. Pray for open doors and the bridges of faith that will reach them.

September 3

2009-09-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

Pray for the greater Caxias do Sul area. More than 600,000 people live in this collection of mostly Italian cities. The efforts to reach the region have been slow but dedicated leaders have made inroads into the lostness of the area. Mike and Donna Wilson and their children Matthew and Hannah, live and work in Caxias in an effort to evangelize, disciple, and plant strong, growing churches. Pray especially for them today that they might have a greater vision and greater wisdom in this work.

September 2

2009-09-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

Pray today for the mountain region of the state, an area with a rich mixture of Italian, German, and other European heritages. The strong traditions of the past make this a wonderful place to visit and share but it makes it difficult for the people to accept the change that Jesus can make in their lives.

September 1

2009-09-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

Pray for the seven regions of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. From the mountains of the northeast to the lowlands of the frontier and from the Atlantic coast to the high plains of the northwest. The state is larger than Georgia and Alabama combined. People live in cities, towns, and villages and represent dozens of cultures and ethnic groups. All have one need above all others, to know Jesus Christ and to walk with Him every day.

Thank you so very much!

2008-10-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who prayed so faithfully during the 2008 September Month of Prayer for the Gaúcho People!!

Please remember these beautiful folks during the rest of the year also.

As for the blog, see you in 2009!

September 30

2008-09-30T01:21:00.000-07:00

Pray and thank God for the victories He has given during this month and for the many victories ahead in the coming year. Thank you for your prayers and for your commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.

September 29

2008-09-29T01:20:00.000-07:00

Pray for Revival. Pray that the leaders, churches, pastors, missionaries, and all other believers will have an experience with the Lord that is so deep that it will revolutionize the work of winning the state for Jesus and that thousands will come to know the Lord Jesus.

September 28

2008-09-28T01:20:00.000-07:00

Pray for the cities where new works are planned in the next year: Pejuçara, Rio Grande, Uruguaiana, Passo Fundo, Caxias do Sul, Santa Maria, and other locations as the Lord opens the doors.

September 27

2008-09-27T01:19:00.000-07:00

Pray for stability in the churches of Rio Grande do Sul. In the last two years, there have been close to thirty pastoral changes in the region. This many not seem like a large number but when there are only 60 churches it is extremely high. Pray that the churches and pastors will find unity in the Lord’s will and will begin to work together in the advance of the kingdom of God in Rio Grande do Sul.

September 26

2008-09-26T01:18:00.000-07:00

Pray for unity among the Christians of Rio Grande do Sul. In the interior there have been many conflicts of personalities and different visions that have left many of our churches weak and with few resources to expand the work. Pray that the people will be convicted of the wrong attitudes and will be known for their love for one another.

September 25

2008-09-25T01:17:00.000-07:00

Steve and Michelle Riddle write, "Pray for our trip to the United States and the many opportunities we will have to share about God’s work in Rio Grande do Sul. Pray that this will be a time of spiritual renewal and a new commitment to the task that He has for us. Pray that more people will catch the vision to reach the Gaúchos and all the peoples of the world."

September 24

2008-09-24T01:15:00.000-07:00

Today, Steve and Michelle Riddle will be beginning their journey to return to the United States for our Stateside Assignment. They ask, "Please pray for the work in Rio Grande do Sul. We know it does not and can not depend on us. Pray that the leaders and workers will trust and follow the Lord and that many great advances will occur as the people and churches are obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ."

September 23

2008-09-23T01:14:00.000-07:00

Many people over the years have moved to the capital in order to find work and other opportunities. Now, we are seeing a shift to the other cities because people dislike the maddening traffic and high crime associated with the largest cities. This will be a great opportunity for urban missions in the mid-sized cities of Rio Grande do Sul such as Caxias do Sul, Santa Maria, and Pelotas. Pray that we will discover how to reach these thousands of people who are searching for a better and safer life and have opportunities to show them the joy and victory that is found in Jesus.