Brazilian family needs support to serve Christ on two continents
I have just learned of a very serious need. A precious Brazilian family that I met about 13 years ago deserves support for a continuing service in Brazil.
Carlos Castilho brought his family to Oklahoma nearly 14 years ago to complete his education at Oklahoma Christian University. He and his wife, Elaine, had been converted in Sao Paulo while they were operating a language school. They had a beautiful daughter named Beatriz. The whole family smiled all the time and offered to help with any project that came along. Carlos and Elaine are bright, educated people who are committed to serve God through their ministry.
While in Oklahoma City, Carlos completed a degree in marketing and began a graduate program in family studies. The family had another daughter, Andressa, while he was in school.
Eventually Carlos decided to get some experience in family ministry, and for two years he served the 3rd and Central church in Lovington, N.M. Elaine taught in Lovington, using her degree in education with a specialization in mathematics. They kept in touch with friends at Memorial Road church in Oklahoma. During their stay in Lovington, the whole family sought God’s direction for their lives.
I wish I had the words to describe adequately the qualities of this amazing couple. Their passion for Christ is the greatest in their life. They are both extremely bright, with expertise in Portuguese and English. Carlos has great skills in relating to people. His interests in people are winning. I visited with him many times over coffee. He was very interested in my activities and my spiritual perspectives. He has the personality to connect with families, give them love and nurture their relationships.
Elaine is a natural encourager and has great devotion to children. An extremely intelligent woman, she understands and builds relationship with people. She complements Carlos’ work.
Determining that God wanted them back in Brazil, they prayed for the right opportunity. The Victory Church
of Christ in Rio de Janeiro needed someone to work with its families.
Almost providentially, the Castilhos found funding for their return. For the past five years, Carlos has ministered to families in one of the most dynamic churches in Rio.
This year Beatriz graduated from high school, and this fall she will attend OC.
Anticipating this step, Elaine and Carolos planned on serving as a visiting missionary for the university so that they could support Bea and have a platform for helping students know more about the many efforts in Brazil where they could work. Carlos intended to use the year to find support for him, Elaine and Andressa to return to Brazil in 2010 and work with the church in Itu, a city of about 200,000 souls 90 minutes from Sao Paulo.
But immigration complications ended those plans. Suddenly the family is back to square one of their planning — and without support.
Now, without funding for the coming year, the Castilhos are seeking a sponsoring congregation to move forward on their plan to assist in developing a strong family ministry for the church in Itu. The Itu church has great leadership in Antenor and Phyllis Goncalves, who have worked there for 15 years.
These are the observations of Antenor:
“The church in Itu is a dynamic, growing church. Since 1996, the church, in addition to growing exponentially, has planted congregations in the cities of Sorocaba, Cabreuva and Salto.
“Carlos and Elaine have great expertise in marriage counseling, which is a very needed gift here … They will be able to have a great ministry in this area. They will also be working in helping with the planting of churches in our area. There is always a need for good teachers, and Carlos and Elaine are both experienced teachers.
“The Castilhos will be a wonderful addition to the ministry here in Itu. (They) are qualified, talented and spiritual people who are needed in the kingdom work here in Brazil. Investing in their ministry will be a great blessing for you and your congregation.”
If you and your congregations have an interest in this couple of amazing faith, contact them at [email protected]. You also can reach me at [email protected].
Carlos Castilho brought his family to Oklahoma nearly 14 years ago to complete his education at Oklahoma Christian University. He and his wife, Elaine, had been converted in Sao Paulo while they were operating a language school. They had a beautiful daughter named Beatriz. The whole family smiled all the time and offered to help with any project that came along. Carlos and Elaine are bright, educated people who are committed to serve God through their ministry.
While in Oklahoma City, Carlos completed a degree in marketing and began a graduate program in family studies. The family had another daughter, Andressa, while he was in school.
Eventually Carlos decided to get some experience in family ministry, and for two years he served the 3rd and Central church in Lovington, N.M. Elaine taught in Lovington, using her degree in education with a specialization in mathematics. They kept in touch with friends at Memorial Road church in Oklahoma. During their stay in Lovington, the whole family sought God’s direction for their lives.
I wish I had the words to describe adequately the qualities of this amazing couple. Their passion for Christ is the greatest in their life. They are both extremely bright, with expertise in Portuguese and English. Carlos has great skills in relating to people. His interests in people are winning. I visited with him many times over coffee. He was very interested in my activities and my spiritual perspectives. He has the personality to connect with families, give them love and nurture their relationships.
Elaine is a natural encourager and has great devotion to children. An extremely intelligent woman, she understands and builds relationship with people. She complements Carlos’ work.
Determining that God wanted them back in Brazil, they prayed for the right opportunity. The Victory Church
of Christ in Rio de Janeiro needed someone to work with its families.
Almost providentially, the Castilhos found funding for their return. For the past five years, Carlos has ministered to families in one of the most dynamic churches in Rio.
This year Beatriz graduated from high school, and this fall she will attend OC.
Anticipating this step, Elaine and Carolos planned on serving as a visiting missionary for the university so that they could support Bea and have a platform for helping students know more about the many efforts in Brazil where they could work. Carlos intended to use the year to find support for him, Elaine and Andressa to return to Brazil in 2010 and work with the church in Itu, a city of about 200,000 souls 90 minutes from Sao Paulo.
But immigration complications ended those plans. Suddenly the family is back to square one of their planning — and without support.
Now, without funding for the coming year, the Castilhos are seeking a sponsoring congregation to move forward on their plan to assist in developing a strong family ministry for the church in Itu. The Itu church has great leadership in Antenor and Phyllis Goncalves, who have worked there for 15 years.
These are the observations of Antenor:
“The church in Itu is a dynamic, growing church. Since 1996, the church, in addition to growing exponentially, has planted congregations in the cities of Sorocaba, Cabreuva and Salto.
“Carlos and Elaine have great expertise in marriage counseling, which is a very needed gift here … They will be able to have a great ministry in this area. They will also be working in helping with the planting of churches in our area. There is always a need for good teachers, and Carlos and Elaine are both experienced teachers.
“The Castilhos will be a wonderful addition to the ministry here in Itu. (They) are qualified, talented and spiritual people who are needed in the kingdom work here in Brazil. Investing in their ministry will be a great blessing for you and your congregation.”
If you and your congregations have an interest in this couple of amazing faith, contact them at [email protected]. You also can reach me at [email protected].
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