Baptist Mid-Missions of Brazil
75th Anniversary: 1935 - 2010
Missionaries with last names starting with the letter
"F"
Last updated on November 9, 2009
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Barry and Ellen Farlow
Barry and Ellen Farlow joined Baptist Mid-Missions on July 23, 2003. They arrived in Brazil in October 2009. Both Barry and Ellen grew up in Brazil. They did a refresher course in Portuguese after arriving in Brazil Barry and Ellen plan to be involved in Church planting and teaching in the Curitiba Bible College. Currently Barry is teaching at the Paraná Baptist Bible Institute (Seminário Batista Regular do Sul), in Pinhais, Paraná. Barry is a third generation missionary to Brazil and Ellen is a second generation missionary.
Barry´s maternal grandparents were Don and Helen Hare who arrived in Brazil by ship in 1946. Later on they moved to Sao Paulo, in southern Brazil were they spent most of their years. Don Hare was the founder and director of the Seminario Batista Regular in São Paulo and was also involved in several church plants in the greater São Paulo area.
Barry’s parents, Tom and Nancy Farlow, first served as short term missionaries in São Paulo where Barry’s dad taught at the Pan American Christian Academy (PACA) from 1974-1978. In 1985 they returned as full time missionaries working in church planting in the cities of Natal, and Mossoro, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Since 1999 they have been church planting in Campo Grande, MS.
Ellen's parents are Robert and Linda Franklin. Robert and Linda first went to
Brazil in 1971. After a year of learning the language in Sao Paulo they moved to
Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, where they spent the rest of their years in
Brazil. Robert Franklin also traveled to various locations in Northeast Brazil
using charts to preach through entire books of the Bible.
Jack and Betty Findlay
John “Jack” Findlay was born in Ireland and was an Irish tenor with a beautiful voice. Jack and Betty´s work history in Brazil is told very well in the 1974 History of Baptist Mid-Missions in Brazil (page 14 -15). Punching Holes in the Darkness (page 117-18) printed the same article. Betty died on June 1st, 1985.
Graham and Rene Foran
Graham and Rene Foran joined Baptist Mid-Missions in August 1986. As a point of interest, Graham and Rene´s sending church is the oldest Baptist Church in the state of Tennessee. They arrived in Brazil on January 8, 1988, through the port of Manaus, Amazonas, and traveled on to Fortaleza. They completed their language studies at the BMM language school in Fortaleza, Ceará, in January 1989. In Portuguese, Graham is known as “Pastor Will” and Rene as “Renata”.
During their language studies, Graham and Rene worked in a new church plant in Jardim Iracema, Fortaleza, Ceará - the Regular Baptist Church in Jardim Iracema (Igreja Batista Regular em Jardim Iracema). They worked in this church from March 1988 until June 1989. In the initial stage, the congregation was meeting in the José de Alencar public school building. The Forans, Betty Luytjes, and the Tevelândia Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Tevelândia – now Manancial) purchased a lot for a future church building. When the national missionary Josias left suddenly (June 1988) to pastor the Lamb Baptist Church (Igreja Batista do Cordeiro) in Fortaleza and Betty Luytjes went on furlough, Graham assumed the leadership of the congregation and had some help from Pastor André and Pastor Perreira. David and Ann Lind returned from furlough and began working with the Forans in August 1988.
After completing language school in June 1989, the Forans moved to São Paulo and worked with Bob and Corrine Jones in their new work, Victory Baptist Church (Igreja Batista da Vitória) in Jardim Leonor subdivision, Cotia, São Paulo. Cotia is in the greater São Paulo area. The Jones began this church plant in November 1988, and they were still meeting in a school when the Forans arrived. Together they ministered at this church from June 1989 until 1993. Bob bought the land and they began building the following buildings in this order: classrooms and bathrooms, social hall (second story), then the auditorium in the front. They moved into the buildings in 1990. A pastor's residence was also built on the property. Pastor Josafá Fernandes Serra was the first pastor serving for five years. Jeff (Paulo) and Becky Thibedeau (Baptist World Mission) were also a part of the team.
From 1993 to 1999, the Forans founded the New Life Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Nova Vida), in the subdivision of Parque dos Camargos, Barueri, São Paulo. While meeting in a school, they purchased 369 m2 of land and built classrooms, a social hall, and an auditorium on top (at street level). They purchased a pastor's residence on a nearby street. Pastor João Caetano Batista was the first pastor and he continues there until this day (December 31, 2008). This church currently runs around 200 and has added several rooms to its complex of buildings. It supports a number of mission projects, and recently bought a camp. The following missionaries also worked in this church plant: Bob and Corrine Jones, Jeff Thibedeau (BWM), Chris and Darcy Vergiels, and Torrey and Faith Lasley (former BMM missionaries).
The Foran´s next church plant was the Good New Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Boas Novas) in the subdivision of Santo Antonio, Jandira, São Paulo. They ministered at this church from 1999 until 2004. They bought 700 sq. meters of property in their first purchase and then 400 more later. They built the pastor's residence, classrooms, auditorium and social hall for this church. Graham and Rene worked with Chris and Darcy Vergiels, and Jeff and Judy Traver at this church. Pastor Antonio Carlos Muniz Santos was this church´s first pastor and is still at this church today (December 2008).
The Bible Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Bíblica), in the subdivision of Santa Teresa, Carapicuiba, was started in 2004 as a congregation of the Regular Baptist Church in Santo Antonio (Igreja Batista Regular em Santo Antonio), Osasco, São Paulo. The new congregation held meetings in a home until they were able to move their services to a new (permanent) location in July 2006. They are currently in the process of completing the third floor (auditorium) of their building project on the 600 sq. meters of land that was purchased. The church currently averages around 90 and supports four missionaries. The Forans worked with Jeff and Judy Traver, Masashi and Maki Takahashi, and Steve and Laurie Sundberg in this church planting project. Graham and Rene have worked at this church from 2004 until the present time (December 23, 2008).
In addition to Graham’s church planting ministries, he has served as the South Brazil Regional president for three years; the BMMB secretary for three years; on the Camp Maranatha Board, and since 1995, on the Paraná Baptist Bible Institute Board (Seminary Batista Regular do Sul in Pinhais, Paraná).
Donald and Cathy Ford
Don and Cathy Ford joined Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1992. They arrived in Fortaleza, Ceará, on October 27, 1998, and studied Portuguese at the BMM language school there. Don and Cathy served as dorm parents, and Don taught classes and coached in the sports program at Fortaleza Academy, Baptist Mid-Missions’ school for missionaries’ children. They ministered at the Regular Baptist Church in Curió (Igreja Batista Regular em Curió) Fortaleza, Ceará. The Ford’s resigned from Baptist Mid-Missions in July 2003.
Gary & Carolyn Fray
Gary and Carolyn Fray joined Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1987. They arrived in Brazil on August 15, 1988. Their port of entry into Brazil was the São Paulo airport (Guarulhos, SP). Gary grew up in Brazil and is the son of Marvin and Diane Fray. Carolyn studied Portuguese at the São Paulo Language School for Missionaries. She finished her language studies in August of 1989.
Gary and Carolyn were one of the four founding pastoral families of the Hope Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Esperança) in Vila Mariana, São Paulo, S. P. They worked at this church from February 1989 to July 1992.
Gary and Carolyn worked with Marvin and Diane Fray (the team leaders). They also worked with Bill and Cindy Griner and S. David & Geri Smith.
While Gary was in college, he worked during the summers with “Neighborhood Bible Time” and became a very good youth worker. At the Hope Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Esperança), he worked with the youth and did a great job. He also did a lot of the preaching at the beginning of the Esperança work. Besides working at the Esperança church, Gary was called upon to preach many evangelistic conferences in the area churches.
Gary and Carolyn resigned from the mission on July 14, 1992.
Marvin and Diane Fray
Marv and Diane Fray joined Baptist Mid-Missions on July 16, 1964. They arrived in Brazil on December 30, 1965, through the port of Belem. They studied Portuguese at the BMM language school in Fortaleza, Ceará, and graduated in December 1966.
The Frays began their ministry while in language school. They taught the MK Sunday School at Fortaleza Academy, and then involved the MKs in local church ministry. The boys went on house-to-house visitation, and the girls did open-air children's Bible "clubs". Wanting to use their Portuguese, Marv and Diane helped in the morning services at the Baptist congregation in the bairro of Aerolândia where the Goehrings, who were on furlough, had started a work. Diane led her first Brazilian teenager to Christ there. That teenager later married and she and her husband became the backbone of the Aerolândia congregation. This couples’ son was one of Bill Griner’s (Marv & Diane’s son-in-law) Portuguese teachers in 1984. In the evenings Marv and Diane took a team of Brazilians to the village of Prainha, Ceará where they led an evening service. Diane taught the children and a Brazilian brought the messages to the adults. A group from another beach town, Iguapé, asked the Frays to minister in their town, too. So after the Goehrings returned, the Frays ministered at Prainha in the mornings and Iguape in the evenings. It is interesting that Darrel Haworth in 2007 started a church there in Iguape that is doing well.
Marvin and Diane Fray graduated from language school in mid-December, 1966. They then sent their belongings to São Paulo on a truck, and they drove down in their VW Kombi (van). It was quite a trip in those days - most of it was on dirt roads and one part was more like a creek bed than a road. At one point on the major road south, the Frays encountered a freshly graded section of road just after a heavy rain. They were on an uphill grade when suddenly they found themselves sunk into mud. They thought they would be there until rainy season was over! A bus came from the other direction and stopped a few meters from them. A group of men hopped off. "Oh my", Marv thought, "they are going to rob us!" But instead, they took off their shoes, got behind the Frays´ car and pushed them up the hill.
Through Paul's example of going to the chief cities of his day, the Lord called the Frays to minister in Sao Paulo: Brazil's "chief city". Marv and Diane arrived in São Paulo eager to begin their church-planting ministry, but found it took a couple of months to get settled, to visit existing churches to see how they did church planting, and to form a team with Dynes and Maxine McCullough, their maid Ana, and Geber Coelho who was a young seminary student. They rented a small one-room building to begin the ministry. However, after they had all their advertising printed and distributed, the owner backed out of their contract on grounds that the people didn't want an evangelical church in the neighborhood.
That was God's leading as He had plans for the team to purchase property rather than rent. God provided two old houses that they bought on the main street of the neighborhood. The road was still unpaved at the time and the price for the two lots with the old houses was only US $4000! Never before had BMM started a ministry this way in Sao Paulo, but God knew it was the best way as property values doubled or tripled each year, and they could not have afforded the property a year later.
Marv and Diane´s first church plant was the Baptist Church in Vila Lageado (Igreja Batista de Vila Lageado) in the subdivision of Vila Lageado, São Paulo, SP. The Frays worked at this church from August 1966 to February 1968. They bought and remodeled the houses, using one for services, and the other for Sunday school rooms. They also built a “galpão” (shelter) in the back for children’s church and youth ministries. The Frays worked with Dynes and Maxine McCullough at this church. They began the church with two weeks of evangelistic meetings in a large tent. Pr. Josué Felix and Pr. Walter Kaischel were the evangelists, and Dynes and Maxine provided a variety of topnotch special music. Ana and Diane taught the children each service. After those two weeks, they began full services and had 42 out for the first Sunday school and then 84 the next Sunday. It was a great first experience at church planting in São Paulo for the Frays. For the two years the Frays were there, Marv taught the men’s SS class and ran the youth and visitation programs. Diane was responsible for the children’s ministries. With the church having strong national leadership, Marv and Diane were able to start a new church with members who had moved to Rio Pequeno. Dynes stayed on for several more years, helping the church to build permanent facilities.
Marv and Diane´s second church plant was the Rio Pequeno Baptist Church (Igreja Batista de Rio Pequeno) in the subdivision of Rio Pequeno, São Paulo. The Frays started this church February 28, 1968, but left for furlough in July, returning in July 1969. They stayed until their next furlough in July 1973.
The Frays purchased a large property on a main street of the bairro and built a simple block building that seated about 100. However, when they returned from furlough they learned that that property would eventually be taken to build a new highway, so they had to purchase another lot. They also purchased a lot for a pastor’s house and built a three-bedroom home. They left the church with an approved blueprint for a permanent building with two stories on the new property and just the bare beginnings of that building. The church received some funds from the government for the first property, but basically built the permanent facilities they now enjoy with their own funds.
The Frays did not work with any American missionaries at the Rio Pequeno church. There were no missionaries, but João Batista Luiz worked with them. A family from Lageado was caretakers and helped in other ministries. They and others from the Lageado church kept the ministry going while the Frays were on furlough. Later Edmundo and Tereza from another Regular Baptist Church moved into the area.
Marv and Diane did all that needed to be done to plant a church: adult, youth, and children’s ministries; preaching and teaching; evangelism and follow-up; leadership, evangelism and teacher training; music ministries (song leading, playing the pump organ, choir directing, piano lessons); and preparation of materials for children’s church and visuals for Sunday school for ages 5-12.
An interesting happening at Rio Pequeno has to do with Pr. João Batista Luiz. After helping the Frays to start the Rio Pequeno church and finishing three and a half years of seminary, João Batista de Luiz decided to study Business Administration at a state university. Sadly, his passion for the ministry waned. Marv received a letter from Dr. Bob Jones III telling about the new Timothy Program where nationals could study at BJU and return to their country to minister. One of the requirements was that they needed to be called to preach. Marv felt that the Lord’s hand was on João’s life for ministry, so Marvin put the letter in his pocket and made a visit to João Batista. During the conversation, Marv asked João how he was feeling about a call to the ministry. He replied, “Only if the Lord sent me a letter from heaven would I know.” Marvin then pulled the letter out of his pocket and said, “Here it is!” and explained the Timothy Program. João could only say, “Yes, Lord.” The rest of the story you know. He went to Bob Jones University, earned his master’s degree, returned to Brazil, pastored one of Max Lanz’s churches, started a successful Christian day school and has been a key teacher at the Curitiba Seminary.
Marvin and Diane´s next church planting work was the Educandário Baptist Church (Igreja Batista de Educandário) in the Educandário subdivision, São Paulo, SP. The Frays ministered at this church from July 1974 to July 1975. They purchased two lots with a house in a central area of the subdivision, remodeled the house to use as the auditorium, and built SS rooms and bathrooms on the back of the property. The church later purchased two more attached lots and built an auditorium seating about 400. No missionaries worked with them, but Martin Melhado, a deacon from the Rio Pequeno church, had finished seminary and he came as the pastor.
Once again the Frays did all that needed to be done to plant a church: adult, youth, and children’s ministries; preaching and teaching; evangelism and follow-up; leadership, evangelism and teacher training; music ministries (song leading, playing the pump organ, choir directing, piano lessons); preparation of materials for children’s church and visuals for Sunday school for ages 5-12. This church is no longer in the Regular Baptist fellowship.
In April of 1975 Marvin came down with hepatitis and while in bed the Lord laid on his heart other large cities in the interior of south Brazil. A man from Uberlândia, MG, came to the Regular Baptist bookstore and asked for a missionary to start a church in his town. John Swedberg, Dan Brower, and Marvin took a survey trip to the Triângulo Mineiro and all three of them were challenged with the need and opportunity. All three families moved to the area.
Marvin and Diane´s next church plant was the Bairro Brasil Baptist Church (Igreja Batista do Bairro Brasil) in the subdivision of Bairro Brasil, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. They ministered there from July 1975 to July 1980. The Frays bought two lots on a corner in a nice area near the university and built an auditorium that would later be the social hall, and four Sunday school rooms. The church later built a second story on those buildings and an auditorium, according to the blueprint that had been approved. They also built a three-bedroom pastor’s house.
There were no other missionaries, but by then the Fray children (Cindy, Gary, and Nathan) were older and were a great help. Through their contacts in their Brazilian high school, Cindy and Gary were able to reach teens who then reached their families and friends. A total of 62 were saved and baptized.
The Frays began this church in the house they had rented near to the land and high school. The church grew to about 60 in attendance in the Frays’ home, using every available space before moving to their permanent location. Once again they did all that was needed to be done to plant a church: adult, youth, and children’s ministries; preaching and teaching; evangelism and follow-up; leadership, evangelism and teacher training; music ministries (song leading, playing the pump organ, choir directing, piano lessons); preparation of materials for children’s church and visuals for Sunday school for ages 5-12.
In Uberlândia they also had a ministry nearly every day with the many youth and children that came to be with the Fray children. They knew their home might be the only Christian home those young people would ever know, so they were glad to have this ministry of hospitality. The Frays had several MAPers while in Uberlândia.
The Frays´ next church plant was the Calvary Baptist Church (Igreja Batista do Calvário) in the subdivision of Saraiva, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. They ministered at this church from July 1978 to July 1980. The Frays purchased two lots and built a future social hall, four Sunday school rooms, bathrooms, and a pastor’s house on the back of the lot. Once again no American missionaries worked with them on that project, but missionary Pastor Carmelito Calazan was the pastor from the beginning of the work. The Frays´ ministry at this church was building, making necessary furniture for church and Sunday school, counselor, and preparation of materials for children’s ministry with files cabinets to keep it all.
The Frays next church plant was the Maranatha Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Maranata) in the Jardim América subdivision, Rio Claro, São Paulo. They ministered at this church from July 1981 to July 1983. They purchased four lots and built the church and educational wing with five Sunday school rooms and two bathrooms. On one of the lots they built a pastor’s house with three bedrooms and two baths. The church later added another wing with a social hall. BMM missionaries Ron and Betty Dion began this church with the Frays as well as a Brazilian couple of German descent. Later two single gals, Iloni Juraci Liuck and Francisca, graduates of the Paraná Baptist Bible Institute in Curtiba, came to work with them. Marvin and Diane Fray´s children Gary, Nathan, and Christina were also part of the team, and Cindy spent one summer ministering with them.
Once again they did all that needed to be done to plant a church: adult, youth, and children’s ministries; preaching and teaching; evangelism and follow-up; leadership, evangelism and teacher training; music ministries (song leading, playing the pump organ, choir directing, piano lessons); preparation of materials for children’s church and visuals for Sunday school for ages 5-12. This church met in the Fray’s home for nearly a year while they were building. They grew to about 100. Once they were in their church facilities, Ron Dion began an AWANA program.
The Frays seventh church plant was the Lamb Baptist Church (Igreja Batista do Cordeiro) in Fortaleza, Ceará. They ministered there from July 1983 to June 1985. They purchased a good-sized lot and once again built what would be the future social hall, several Sunday school rooms, and two bathrooms. This church had a good nucleus to begin with so it quickly grew out of the space they had. They held services for a while on their land in the open air and then built the shell of the auditorium, which the church finished. They dedicated the building before the floor was put in and discovered that we were on “sinking sand” - as the service went on, the benches slowly sank into the sand, leaving people with their chin on their knees. No missionaries worked with them in the beginning, but Gary, Nathan, and Christina Fray ministered in Sunday school and youth work. They also had a core of Brazilians who had started a congregation in a home and were eager to help it become a church. The Brazilian pastor who had led this congregation died in the pulpit the Sunday before the Frays arrived in Fortaleza. During the second year, the Frays daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Bill Griner, worked with them while Bill was in language school. They continued on with the work while the Frays were on furlough.
Once again the Frays did all that needed to be done to plant a church: adult, youth, and children’s ministries; preaching and teaching; evangelism and follow-up; leadership, evangelism and teacher training; music ministries (song leading, playing the pump organ, choir directing, piano lessons); preparation of materials for children’s church and visuals for Sunday school for ages 5-12. However, the Frays were also dorm parents at the Fortaleza Academy, so Diane’s ministry was more limited.
In 1986, Marvin and Diane moved back down to São Paulo and started the Maranatha Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Maranata) in Jardim Itanguá subdivision, Sorocaba, SP. They worked at this church from July 1986 to February 1989. They purchased four lots and built a future social hall, four Sunday school rooms, and two bathrooms. They also built a pastor’s house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Before the Frays left they also built the shell of the auditorium which the church eventually finished.
The Frays had a team of three missionary couples to begin this church: Marvin and Diane, Ed and Jan Alexander, and Bill and Cindy Griner. Harry and Bev Lippert made special trips to Brazil and assisted with the construction.
With a good church planting team, the Frays´ responsibilities were fewer in this church plant. Marv was the team leader and also in charge of the construction. All the men did part of the preaching and all did part of the teaching, the evangelism, the follow-up, and the training of leadership, teachers, and evangelists. The women worked with preparation of SS materials. The Alexanders took care of the music and the Griners worked with the youth.
Marv and Diane´s ninth church plnating work was the Hope Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Esperança) in the Vila Mariana subdivision, São Paulo, SP. The Frays have faithfully served the Lord at this ministry from March 1989 to the present (January 1, 2009). This church came about through the Lord’s definite leading. The Frays were looking for financial help for another church and the Christian Training Foundation was looking for experienced missionaries to lead a special church-planting ministry. Through a series of events led of the Lord, they came into contact with one another.
This church was unique in that they were able to purchase an extremely well-located property in a middle-class bairro. This was made possible through the Foundation that wanted to help establish a fundamental Baptist church in a visible and accessible location. They purchased two lots for a total of 1800 sq. meters, across the street from a metro station and shopping center. There are also about 50 bus lines that have stops across the street or within two blocks. The property had one complete beautiful house with a room large enough to begin services and other good-sized rooms for Sunday school classes. There had also been another house with just the living room still standing. This served for the youth ministry. The Foundation paid for the construction: first they began in the back where they built a social hall and kitchen with Sunday school rooms on the second floor. Then in the middle a 10-story building with parking garage, two elevators, offices, Sunday school rooms, seminary class rooms, and what are now two floors of office rentals that help pay for the maintenance. Finally, a beautiful auditorium with a sports court on its roof was built. All floors have two bathrooms. The auditorium easily seats 700, with possibility for 1000, and has a waterfall into the baptistry. The church paid for finishing the upper floors. A huge blessing was that an experienced church architect and builder, Dr. Walfredo Tomé, took on the task of designing and building the facilities. He was born on the block of the church and was so pleased to see a church there that his heart was 100% involved in his part of the ministry. He had the experience to know what materials were best to use and thus the church maintenance has been easier. The Igreja Batista Esperança was not responsible for paying back what they received. However, for as long as the church meets, 20% of all their offerings go into an Expansion Fund set up for purchasing property and buildings for new churches in the city of São Paulo.
To begin this ministry they had a team of four missionary couples: Marv and Diane Fray, Gary and Carolyn Fray, Bill and Cindy Griner, and S. David and Geri Smith. Later Joel and Joani Troester joined the team. The Gary Frays’ and the Bill Griners’ left the team in 1992, and the Smiths and the Troesters left a few years later. Pr. Sergio Moura became an assistant pastor and in 1996 the senior pastor. He is still there in December of 2008.
Once again with a good team, the Frays responsibilities were different in this church plant. Marv was the team leader and also in charge of the construction. All the men did part of the preaching and all took part in teaching, evangelism and follow-up and the training of leadership, teachers, and evangelists. Bill Griner was also involved in the areas of visitation and Bible studies. Cindy Griner, with the help of the other women, worked on the preparation of Sunday school materials and led the children’s ministry. Gary and Carolyn Fray also ministered to the youth and the David and Geri Smiths ministered in the areas of music and special days. When the Troesters came, they were very involved in visitation, home Bible studies, and follow-up.
While the Frays were ministering at the Esperança church, they also assisted the Philadelphia Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Filadelfia) in Campos do Jordão, São Paulo. They helped this church from May 2000 to September 2004.
This congregation was begun by a Brazilian couple, Fábio and Nara Schucman, who had lived in São Paulo and been a part of Bet Sar Shalom work. When they moved to Campos do Jordão, they began attending the Regular Baptist Church in Pinhamonhangaba, São Paulo. They asked for help to start a congregation in Campos. The Frays went to Campos to see the situation. The Frays helped them call a pastor, Adilson and Esther Routh, whom Nathan and Marv helped support. The church organized at the end of 2003.
In 2003 the Frays purchased a beautiful piece of property and had an architect draw up the building plans, which were approved by the city. They also received Bolthouse funds for building. However, at this point the church got cold feet about doing their part, which would be overseeing the construction. Marv found they wanted to continue in rented quarters with the Frays paying the rent and supporting their pastor. At this time, due to his wife’s depression, Adilson decided to resign and the church decided to disband. The pressure of getting a new church started seemed to have taken its toll. They did not want to carry on with the responsibility involved. Marv also discovered that there were doctrinal differences. As there was no missionary available to help them continue on, the church did disband.
Marv and Diane’s next church plant was the Hope Baptist Church in Vila Tatuapé (Igreja Batista Esperança em Tatuapé) which is a congregation of the Igreja Batista Esperança of Vila Mariana. Marvin gave assistance to this church from June 2000 to December 2000.
With the help of the Christian Training Foundation, the Frays were able to purchase two large houses on a park, one block from the Tatuapé shopping center and metro stop. They remodeled the two homes to make room for an auditorium, Sunday school space, and pastor’s house. Later a family in the church donated a furnished apartment close by for the pastor’s house. The church remodeled and made a larger auditorium and a social/AWANA area.
Actually no missionaries ever ministered in this church. Marv only helped to get it started. Before it began, they called a national pastor, Alceu and Heidi Ferreira. They challenged families from the mother church in Vila Mariana, who lived in the eastern side of São Paulo to help start this new church. Five families answered the call and were part of the original church, which supported their pastor from the first month.
The Frays part in the ministry of beginning this church was first one of arranging the financing, choosing the area, finding a suitable property, and overseeing the remodeling of the homes. Then they were involved in inspiring members of IB Esperança to participate, calling an experienced national pastor, and holding weekly meetings with the nucleus. Pr. Alceu and Heidi took it from there. This church also participates in the São Paulo Expansion Fund.
In January 2009, the Hope Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Esperança ) in Vila Mariana is making preparations to start their second daughter church in São Paulo. Currently, they are looking for land to purchase for this future church.
CONGREGATIONS AND CHURCHES STARTED BY THE ABOVE CHURCHES:
The Baptist Church in Vila Lageado (Igreja Batista de Vila Lageado) in the subdivision of Vila Lageado, in São Paulo, São Paulo, has helped to start the following congregations and churches:
Igreja Batista Filadelfia em Praia Grande, SP
Igreja Batista Filadelfia em Peruibe, SP
Igreja Batista Regular em Anápolis, Goias
Igreja Batista em Vila dos Remédios, SP
The Rio Pequeno Baptist Church (Igreja Batista de Rio Pequeno) in the subdivision of Rio Pequeno, in São Paulo, has helped to start the following congregations and churches:
Igreja Batista de Educandário with Frays
Igreja Batista da Vitória em Cotia, São Paulo, with the Forans
Igreja Batista em Santana de Parnaiba, SP
Carubau, Pernambuco
Matrize de Camarazibe, Alagoas (2)
Hortolândia, SP
IBE has helped several congregations in the North buy property for churches and is helping in the support of 31 missionaries with a mission’s budget of R$10.000.
Started Igreja Batista Esperança in Tatuapé, São Paulo, SP
Helped Nathan in Morães Prado, SP
In 2003, the Hope Baptist Church in São Paulo, SP bought all the bricks for the second phase of construction at the Victory Baptist Church bairro in Londrina, Paraná.
The Expansion Fund now has R$720.000 and they are in the process of buying property for a new congregation.
Marvin and Diane Fray’s other related ministries:
1. Since 1968 Marv has served on the board of the Editora Batista Regular.
2. Taught at the Seminário Batista Regular na Avenida Ipiranga, SP.
3. Participated in the ministry of Camp Maranatha from 1967 to its closing.
4. Dorm parents in Fortaleza, CE 1983-85.
5. Founded and directed Seminário Batista Esperança 1999-2008.
6. Both teach at SBE.
7. Diane helped revise the EBR Sunday school material in the 1970’s and held teacher training seminars.
8. Diane was treasurer of the Maranatha Fund from 2002 until 2007.
9. Marv taught a modular missions course at BJU from 2000-2007.
10. Both served on the BMM Strategic Planning Committee.
Nathan and Diane Fray
Nathan and Diane Fray joined Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1992, and they arrived in Brazil on October 20, 1995. Nathan grew up in Brazil and is Marv and Diane Fray’s son.
Since Nathan and Diane Fray´s arrival in 1995, the Lord has used them to start three churches. These churches are located on the south side of the greater metropolitan São Paulo area. Their first church was the Bethel Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Betel), and their second church was the Mirna Baptist Church (Igreja Batista em Jardim Mirna) in the Jardim Mirna subdivision. The third church they planted was the Morais Prado Baptist Church (Igreja Batista em Morais Prado). Currently, they are looking for land to start their fourth church in the south metropolitan São Paulo area. In that same area, Nathan also started the Bethel Baptist Camp (Acampamento Batista Betel).
Return to History of BMM in Brazil page