Open Job List
The following is a current job listing of needs that Strategy Coordinator OR Strategic Partnership churches or associations could fill. Jobs available for SC churches will be marked as High Priority Zones (HPZ) If the job is ONLY for a Strategic Partnership -- it will be listed as a High Priority Target (HPT)
If you do not see a job you believe is available, contact the CMC Coordinator or Strategy Mobilizer for more updated information at pkesler@pobox.com
Southern Brazil
Porto Alegre – The great missions challenge in Rio Grande do Sul (HPT)
Porto Alegre is the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul, which is the southernmost state in Brazil, sharing its borders with Uruguay, Argentina, and the Atlantic Ocean. Porto Alegre is a city with a population of one million, three hundred and eighty six thousand, but it is the center of a 
metropolitan area, surrounded my many cities, so that we have well over four million inhabitants in the greater metropolitan area (within 50 miles of the city center of Porto Alegre). The city of Porto Alegre itself is recognized by all Brazilian evangelicals as having the lowest percentage of evangelicals of any of the state capitals in Brazil - all evangelical groups have found that church growth here is much slower than the national average. Based on a 2002 Brazilian Census, 15 neighborhoods were identified as “critical” for church planting, with a total combined population of 297,728 and 22 “evangelical” churches. (By Brazilian government definition “evangelical” would encompass even those churches/denominations that do not hold a “salvation by grace” theology, but rather a “salvation by works” theology. So, in actuality, the situation is even more desperate than it might appear at first!) That leaves us with a ratio of one church per 13,533 residents. Project Brazil 2010 and the Jesus Film Project (Great Commission Partners with whom we work) suggest as a healthy church growth measurement, the ratio of 1 evangelical church per 1,200 residents. This would gives an immediate, urgent goal of at least 11 new churches needed just in this small, unchurched area. To reach the national average (1:1200) for the entire Porto Alegre metropolitan region would require 980 new churches planted! Porto Alegre has the highest number of followers of Spiritism and Umbanda (an African tribal religion) in the country of Brazil. Porto Alegre is so large that it could easily be divided into smaller zones, making engagement by several CMC churches or associations possible.
Statistics of Porto Alegre download here
Churches in the Porto Alegre area download here
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Northern Coastline of Rio Grande do Sul (HPZ)
In this large area, from the eastern part of Porto Alegre, up to the border of Santa Catarina, composed of 15 counties, there is only just one Baptist work and two small Baptist congregations, as well as very little other evangelical work of any sort. The population in this area grows, especially during the summer
months (Dec-Mar), as all of Porto Alegre empties out onto the coastline for vacation. Many of these people, however, have decided to live in these cities year-round. Because of the way houses are built in this area, it is fairly easy to actually get to people to bring them in contact with the gospel. If we could start new churches in these coastal cities, these churches could then not only reach out to the stable population, but also to the seasonal population who returns to the same place year after year for vacation, and then returns to their closed-off apartment complexes in Porto
Alegre during the rest of the year.
Due to the nature of these resort towns, this is an excellent place for a CMC church or association. Because the area is so large, it could even be divided into three portions (Southern, Mid, and Northern), each composed of five counties.
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The Peoples of Southern Brazil (Most of these positions are HPTs)
Germans, Italians, Ukrainians, Polish, Japanese, Chinese, Arabs, Gypsies ... the list goes on. Much like the United States, Brazil is a land of immigrants. Some are recent immigrants, while others have been in Brazil for three or more generations. However, many still cling to the culture and yes, sometimes even the language of "home". Missionaries working with these culturally diverse peoples need to be especially sensitive to communicating the Gospel message in a relevant way. This might entail the need to learn a "heart language" in addition to the national language of Portuguese. Several churches or associations could be involved in reaching different immigrant groups.
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German Brazilian Peoples (HPTs)
The Spiritual Reality
Less than 1% of German descendants overall have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They follow folk religions based upon tradition to preserve their culture and maintain their identity. The concept of personal contact with God is foreign to many of them. Today, many young people are being attracted to African spiritism (voodoo), atheism, and the cults (Mormonism).
What kind of people are the German-Brazilians?
Are they friendly? Do all of the German-Brazilians still walk around in ‘Lederhosen’ drinking beer and eating sausages? Are they deserving of their nicknames like ‘potato’ or ‘cabbage head’? German-Brazilians have often been the victims of cultural stereotypes and misconceptions. The horrible events of World War 2 continue to affect people’s conceptions of a culture that has given us Einstein, Mozart, and Beethoven as well as Bismarck and Hitler. The German-Brazilians are like us working hard to give their children the very best that life can offer. The family is the center of
the culture and it is every parents desire to leave this world a better place for their descendants.
What language do they speak?
There are approximately 18 million German descendants in Brazil. Most live in the southern states of São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Millions continue to speak various Germanic languages. Pomeranian, Westfalleen, and Platt Dietsch are three of the languages that can be found in Brazil. All of these people are oral. The German Team, made up of IMB missionaries, has engaged the Hunsrik people which make of the largest number of Germanic language speaking descendants in Brazil. The three Germanic peoples mentioned above are not being engaged at this time. They are the Pomeranian, Westfalleen, and the Mennonite.
Where are they located?
The Pomeranian are located in Santa Catarina (Pomerode), Rio Grande do Sul (São Lourenço do Sul), Espírito Santo (Santa Maria de Jetibá, Vila Pavão, Domingos Martins, Laranja da Terra e Pancas), Minas Gerais, and Rondonia. They number several hundred thousand throughout the country. Because of many years of isolation the Pomeranian has suffered. There is a great need to reach out to this people in the love of Christ.
The Westfalleen are located in Rio Grande do Sul around the city of Teutônia. They number around 50,000. There is a dark tradition of witchcraft among this people even though they claim evangelicalism. Looks can be deceiving in this case.
The Mennonites are located in Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. They number in the thousands in Brazil with greater numbers in Paraguay and Bolivia. They have endured sufferings here in South America and have often chosen isolation. While they have a strong Anabaptist tradition they have not had the Bible in their heart language until recently. Several communities of Mennonites in another South American country have seen revival through a Bible ministry alone. This ministry opportunity is to retrace many of our own roots in the faith with the ultimate goal of seeing this people become again a great missionary force for the Kingdom.
Contributions to Brazil
German immigration to Brazil began in 1825 north of the capitol of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre. Today this region is the breadbasket of Brazil with the descendants of the German immigrants producing milk, potatoes, soybean, corn, tobacco, fish and livestock. They have been instrumental in the industrialization of Brazil and are today among the world leaders in woman’s shoes, leather jackets, furniture, textiles, charcoal, and tourism. The educational, social, and medical infrastructure is so advanced it is said that the German-Brazilian regions could be ‘First World’ if they were their own country. In architecture the German-Brazilians have retained an eye for the astatically pleasing.
What can you do?
The opportunity is in front of us and in the fullness of God’s time we are calling German-Brazilians back to God. While these three Germanic peoples mentioned here have a history of evangelicalism there is a great need to call them back to their roots of radical faith. They have lived through many years of isolation and persecution which has led them to withdraw from the mission of God which is the very reason why many of them came to the New World. These Germanic peoples need to be on mission with God. Win the Germanics and change the South. Win the South and change Brazil. Win Brazil and change South America. Please pray for the Germanic tribes throughout the world to return to the God of their fathers.
Zechariah 4:6
Click each file to download them for more information!
Menonite Population Segment
Pommeranian Population Segment
Westfalian Population Segment
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Interior Cities of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (HPZ)
The interior of Rio Grande do Sul is among the most varied regions in all of Brazil. From the coastal plains to rolling hills to the mountains of the north east, this state offers a little of everything geographically. But even more diverse are the 6.5 million residents of the interior.. From small communities of the Tupi-Guarani tribes to the large cities and towns of Italians, Germans, Poles, and more than a dozen other ethnic identities the interior of the state is unique in its mixture and diversity.
Besides claiming the heritage of the migrations and immigrations, the people claim a common identity in the person of the “Gaúcho” the traditional rancher and cowboy of the Pampas of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and other countries of South America. This character is the strong, determined, independent individual that works with his hands and skills to make a home for himself and his family. The love of tradition and the over-riding self-confidence make the gaucho difficult to reach with the Gospel because they want to work their way to heaven or they do not want to change which the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires.
Almost 400 municipal districts exist in the region and less than fifty have Baptist work. The vast majority of these communities have less than 10,000 people but each of them needs to hear the saving message of our Lord. But there are also cities of 40,000 where little is being done to share the Gospel. Cities like Pelotas and Rio Grande on the coast which together have more then 500,000 people and six small congregations of Baptists.
The Baptist Church in Pelotas
Or the city of Bagé with its 90,000 plus people and the Baptist church has only a handful of active members.
A smaller city but of great cultural importance is Alegrete. Just 100 miles north of Uruguay and 120 east of Argentina, it is the center of the culture that identifies the state and the people called the Gaúchos. If a means to reach the people so interlaced in the culture could be developed, it is possible to see the winning of the more than 20,000,000 gaúchos spread over the interior of the continent.
The mountains have a different challenge with the people being the descendents of immigrants, the cultures are special and require strategies that respect the past but proclaim the promise of Jesus. The Italians settled in the mountain regions of the state and have built strong agricultural and industrial centers such as Caxias do Sul and its more than 400,000 residents. These people work hard and enjoy life but most have not found the true joy that comes from knowing Christ.
These are a few of the challenges for the interior of Rio Grande do Sul. God is calling someone to accept the challenge and to participate in the victory he has in the region.
Central Brazil
São Paulo (HPZ)
This important Brazilian state (see above image which you can click and save to your computer) has within it one of the world’s largest cities with a population of over 19 million. While the city has a number of Baptist churches within the city, there are large “pockets” of lost people groups and population segments that need to be engaged, as well as huge numbers of urban poor dwellers known as favelados. This is a task that could easily be divided between several churches and associations.
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Southern Minas (HPZ)
In the state of Minas Gerais, there are huge numbers of small rural towns that are culturally Catholic in upbringing where the Gospel has not penetrated, or where there are very small numbers of believers. Several churches could divide the work in this area.
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Minas Triangle (HPZ)
In the state of Minas Gerais, in a section known as the “triangle” -- there are huge numbers of small rural towns that are culturally Catholic in upbringing where the Gospel has not penetrated, or where there are very small numbers of believers. Several churches could divide the work in this area.
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North Minas (HPZ)
In the state of Minas Gerais, there are huge numbers of small rural towns that are culturally Catholic in upbringing where the Gospel has not penetrated, or where there are very small numbers of believers. Several churches could divide the work in this area.
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The state of Minas Gerais has a little over 800 municipalities; about 400 or half have no Baptist work. Almost 90 of these cities with no Baptist work have populations of more than 10,000 and most are less than 2% evangelized. One of our strategies is to link an American partner team with one or more Baptist Brazilian churches to start a new work leading to a church plant in these cities. A Strategic Partnership could be developed with a CMC church or association willing to work alongside an IMB missionary in this area.North East Brazil
This semi-arid western portion of the state of Alagoas is characterized by rugged terrain, simple farming communities, and few true evangelical churches. The Alagoas State Baptist convention has been somewhat interested in planting new churches but they need much more done in the way of simple church planting. The state convention actually has a team set up for helping to receive volunteer teams (with logistics, etc) but could do much more with trained CMC churches or associations that have developed a mission strategy for church planting. The Sertanejos of Alagoas, with an evangelical population of less than 3%, need advocates to come along and help them by praying, researching, and introducing biblical church planting strategies that will be adopted by the state convention and contextualized in the Sertanejo culture. A CMC team is needed to help in introducing biblical church planting methods to the state Baptist convention and local church planters, modeling biblical church planting methods, investing in local leadership training, and reaping the harvest among the nearly 1 million unreached Sertanejos of Alagoas.
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Agreste Peoples of Arapiraca (HPZ)
This eastern agricultural region of the state of Alagoas is characterized by rolling hills, farming communities, and a people that are very geographically spread out. The Agreste of Alagoashas an evangelical population of less than 3%. The churches are very small and there are few of them. The average church has less than 100 members and usually has an average attendance of only 20. Church planting has been very slow among the Agreste region of northeast Brazil. Due to the fact that there are 8 million people in the Agreste region of Brazil and the fact that the people are so geographically spread out, we desperately need churches to come work and partner to plant churches among the Agreste people. In the state of Alagoas, the Agreste region has 2244 sq miles. The state of Alagoas has more than 3 million people which is more than live in the entire state of Arkansas, and it is only a little bit larger than the state of Vermont. We are looking for an SC church to come and work in the city of Arapiraca which has almost 170,000 people which is about the same population as Little Rock, Arkansas. Arapiraca is a municipality located in the center of the Brazilian state of Alagoas. It is the second largest city in the state, was founded in 1924, and is only 52 miles from the state capital Maceio, which is the largest city in the state. The city is known mostly for its tobacco and thus considered "The Brazilian Tobacco Capital".
Flag and Crest of Alagoas
Festival of St John Tobacco Farming
Click here and download the full job description
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Sertão of Paraiba (HPZ)
This semi-arid western portion of the state of Paraiba is characterized by rugged terrain, cactus, small cities and few churches. But there is a growing enthusiasm evident among the region’s newly trained church planters. A CMC team is needed to work together with the state Baptist convention and local church planters to develop strategy, facilitate new church starts, model discipleship, invest in local leadership training, and enjoy the harvest the Brazilians have been praying for among the nearly 2 million unreached sertanejos of Paraiba.
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Sertão of Sergipe (HPZ)
This semi-arid western portion of the state of Sergipe is characterized by rugged terrain, simple farming communities, and few true evangelical churches. The Sergipe State Baptist convention is interested in planting new churches but needs more folks trained in simple church planting. The Sertanejos of Sergipe, with an evangelical population of less than 3%, need advocates to come along and help them by praying, researching, and putting into practice biblical church planting strategies that are contextualized in the Sertanejo culture. A CMC team is needed to work together with the state Baptist convention and local church planters to develop biblical strategies, model biblical church planting methods, invest in local leadership training, and reap a harvest among the nearly 1 million unreached Sertanejos of Sergipe.
Interior Western and South Maranhão (HPZ)
If a CMC team is looking for adventure, then interior Maranhão may provide the opportunity. This region is characterized by a mix of mountains, rivers, questionable roads, and the beginnings of the Amazon Rain Forest. This huge area of small cities, farms and rural communities may hold as many as 2 million people with few or no churches. A CMC team would need to start with research and exploration (since the area remains virtually unknown by our field missionaries), followed by the development of carefully planned strategies for planting simple, reproducible churches. An ability to motivate and work with local leadership will be as necessary as a pioneer spirit to make this project a success.
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Interior Southern Piauí (HPZ)
The state of Piauí ranks among the lowest in number of believers for all of Brazil -- and no area needs the Gospel more than the southern half of the state. Characterized by wide expanses of green farmland, low, dense forests and small cities, this region may be home to as many as 2 million residents who need to be reached for Christ. A persistent, prayerful CMC team is needed to explore the region, develop church planting strategies, and then work side-by-side with local believers to implement them. The difficult access, treacherous roads and rustic living conditions will be far outweighed by the friendly receptivity of Piauí’s interior people.
Northern Brazil
Guaynese of Roraima (HPZ)
These people have come from English Guyana or along the borders of Roraima and Guyana. This ministry would be from the ground up and would include research at first . They are a variety of population groups – indigenous (AmerIndians), black and Indian (from India). Most of these people are poor and are hoping for jobs and an improved lifestyle. They speak English (and for many English is their second language with an Indian dialect being the first language) and Portuguese. Their ability in spoken Portuguese depends how long they have been in Brazil. Those that are able to read, read in English. Since they speak English the work done by volunteers would be without translators.
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Farmers of Central Roraima, Apaiú (HPZ)
This project will concentrate in the county of Mucajaí, Roraima, Brazil. The farming rural population is about 5,000 and scattered among numerous villages with Apiaú as the main town. Apiaú is a several hour drive from the state capital, Boa Vista, Roraima. This part of the state is a developing agricultural area and the state government is investing in the infrastructure. The villages are at the edge of the jungle and conditions are more primitive the further you go – the village of Apiaú has a school and one evangelical church and electrical service. Roads are being improved and bridges built so access to the different villages is improving.
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Porto Velho, Rondônia (HPZ)
Porto Velho is the capital of the Brazilian state of Rondônia and is located in the extreme north of the state. The population of the city is 275,000. It is a city of old and new with the old looking to the north and the Amazon Valley and the new looking to south Brazil with its industry and markets for agricultural products. The central and southern portions of Rondônia developed very rapidly in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The churches sprang up and grew with the population but this church development never reached Porto Velho so it is the least evangelized city in Rondônia. This project will include the entire city and consider all the different population segments to make sure each is reached. Some of these segments include; young people, students, poor and professionals.
Nationwide Works
Quilombos (HPT)
There are small villages, perhaps as many as 5000 in number, spread throughout Brazil, of descendents of escaped slaves who originally came from Angola. After they escaped from their Portuguese and Brazilian masters in the 18th and 19th century, they fled to isolated areas, principally in the northeastern part of Brazil, although they can be found throughout the country. While most speak Portuguese, many still speak their original language, and maintain a witch doctor in the village. Because even to this day some fears remain that they may be forced back into slavery (even though this would not happen in modern day Brazil), the preference would be for an Afro-American CMC church, association, or group of churches to cooperate in a joint strategy to work with these peoples. This work truly will be about seeking and saving those that are lost (Luke 19:10) – an important part of the job will be exploring and mapping where they live – finding them first – and then following up with evangelism and simple church planting that will spread from village to village. There is a Strategy Coordinator who is currently engaging this group, but would welcome the help that CMC churches could provide in reaching this people group with the Gospel.
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Deaf and Hearing Impaired (HPT)
There are over 8 million people in Brazil that are deaf or hearing impaired, spread out all over Brazil -- in both rural and urban settings. The Brazilian Baptist Home Mission Board and larger Baptist churches are working to develop ministries in these areas, but more can be done. If your church or association is interested in assisting the Home Mission Board to help start simple churches among the deaf, we would welcome that help!
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