Baptist Mid-Missions of Brazil
75th Anniversary: 1935 - 2010
Missionaries with last names starting with the letter
"L"
Last updated on November 9, 2009
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Stephen and Susan Lackey
Stephen and Susan Lackey joined Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1989. They arrived in Fortaleza, Ceará, on June 30, 1991, where they studied Portuguese in the BMM Missionary Orientation Service. Susan Lackey is the daughter of BMM missionaries Russell and Judy Gordon.
In 1992, Stephen and Susan moved to João Pessoa, Paraiba, and assisted Russ and Judy Gordon in the Regular Baptist Church in Mangabeira (Igreja Batista Regular em Mangabeira), in the Mangabeira subdivision of João Pessoa.
In 1993, the Lackeys helped start the Regular Baptist Church of Christ the Redeemer (Igreja Batista Regular de Cristo Redentor) in the Cristo Redentor subdivision of João Pessoa, Paraiba. Stephen pastored this congregation during Russ and Judy Gordon’s furlough year and worked with the youth, visitation, construction, and in the area of music. He also helped in the congregations of Geisel, Valentina, and Funcionários. Susan worked with ladies, children, church choirs, and also taught religion classes in public schools. They enjoyed very much directing the Regular Baptist Camp in Valentina for three years. Stephen and Susan Lackey worked at these ministries from 1992 to 1998.
During this period, one of biggest challenges they faced was the increased influences of the charismatic movement. When there was a new convert to Christ, the charismatics were quick to come and point out that somehow our churches were lacking in the area of spiritual gifts. Much teaching was done to educate many Christians of the dangers in this movement and how it distorts the truth of the gospel.
One event that still remains vivid in their minds happened on Dia das Criancas, a special holiday for children. Great care was taken to prepare for this very special day in which they could not only bless the children there in the neighborhood of Cristo Redentor but also present the good new of Jesus Christ to all who came. Their plans projected that approximately 100 children would show up. Their intent was to use the watermelon as a powerful object lesson to demonstrate the wonderful love of Jesus and the way to heaven. The church property neighbored a favela or slum, and some of the families there had received invitations. Great concern started to arise when the crowd continued to increase. The projected goal of 100 had grown to well over 300. They realized they had a mob on their hands when those serving watermelon, popcorn, and cake began to topple over in the crowd. One of the youth leaders was bitten, and many children pushed to receive goodies that are common place in most American homes. Their prayers have been that on this occasion a little seed was planted of salvation through Christ.
Stephen and Susan resigned from Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1998. Stephen and Susan currently live in Floyd, Virginia, where Stephen has been the senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church since its inception in 2002.
Robert and Damaris Lankford
Robert & Damaris Lankford joined Baptist Mid-Missions in November 1971. They arrived in Brazil on January 16, 1975. Their port of entry was Manaus, Amazonas. They studied Portuguese in Manaus in a structured language school. They finished language school and started their ministry in March 1976.
From 1975 to 1976, Robert and Damaris worked at the Good News Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular Boas Novas) in the Japiim subdivision in Manaus, Amazonas. While at this church, they helped in construction, preaching, and assisting seminary students in teaching Sunday School.
From 1976 to 1983, they worked at the Faith Baptist Church/Congregation (Congregação Batista da Fé) in the Rio Urubu area of Itacoatiara, Amazonas. While at this church, they bought property for the church, moved and rebuilt the church with a wooden structure. In 1993 they rebuilt the church sanctuary with brick and mortar, and also built a kitchen and recreational area. Robert served as the pastor and teacher for 16 years. Later, the church called a pastor and seminary student, and supported pastors for over 6 more years. Today they have a resident pastor and family, and the local area has grown into a township.
From 1978 to 1988, they worked at the Itacoatiara Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular de Itacoatiara) in Itacoatiara, Amazonas. Robert and Damaris helped them to move to a new building in 1986. They worked with BMM missionaries Al and Noemi Spieth at this work. They taught Sunday School, preached, helped organize choirs and musical programs at this church.
From 1988 to 1994, they worked at the Galilee Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular Galiléia), in the Lírio do Vale, II subdivision in Manaus, Amazonas. They bought property alongside the current property and they started construction for the sanctuary. Bob served as the pastor, teacher, and general organizer for the buildings and construction.
From 1981 to 1982 they worked at the Thessalonica Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular Tessalonica) in the Alvorada II subdivision in Manaus, Amazonas. They organized the choir and music programs. They also taught music and gave private lessons.
From 1982 to 1992, Bob and Damaris worked at the Regular Batist Church in Sudam (Igreja Batista Regular na Sudam), in the interior of Itacoatiara, in Amazonas. Bob pastored this rural work and had teaching and music programs. Bob taught Sunday School and used the Source of Light courses. He organized the program and taught basics of the Christian life.
In 1993 to 1994, Bob and Damaris worked at the Mount Zion Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular Monte Sião), São Cristóval, Itacoatiara, Amazonas. They started a building program to redo the wooden structure. They bought extra property along side their current property for this church´s future expansion. Bob and Damaris organized the music program and taught music. Bob also taught Sunday School and preached.
In addition to Bob and Damaris´ church planting activities, Bob also taught at the Amazon Baptist Seminary (Seminário Batista Amazonas- know as SEBRAM) from 1987 to 1990, and then 1996 to 2002. Bob was the director of the SEBRAM from 1997 to 2002. In 1978, Bob started the Maranatha Baptist Camp in Itacoatiara, Amazonas. Bob served as camp director from 1978-1998, and then again from 2004-2009. They built the camp structure and buildings, and have maintained the camp since 1978. Missionaries Mike and Anita Dunn and Michael and Katrina Guerink also helped in this camp from 1997-2001.
Today (2009), Bob is the Camp Director of the Maranatha Baptist Camp. He is helped by fellow BMM missionaries, John and Robin Proios, who are living at the camp.
Bob at one time was involved in interior evangelism and maintained an airplane ministry using a floatplane. He had the floatplane from June 1978 to November 1984. It was a PT-LAV Lake Amphibian that was based at Itacoatiara. Bob used the plane to make visits with local pastors from Manaus and Itacoatiara to interior towns to hold Bible Institutes in places like São Sebastião, Nova Olinda do Norte, and Urucurituba.
At the present time, Bob is starting an airplane ministry with his son, Timothy Lankford. They are using a PT-DUI, a mission plane, and a Piper Cherokee 180, on land which is based in Manaus. Bob plans use the planes to facilitate visits to many churches with local pastors and Bible Institutes in the expanse of the state of Amazonas.
Max and Louise Lanz
Max Allen Lanz and his wife, Louise Mae Lanz, joined Baptist Mid-Missions in 1968. They arrived in São Paulo, Brazil, January 6th, 1972, and they studied Portuguese at the language school for missionaries in São Paulo, completing their studies in December 1972.
In February 1973, Max and Louise started working at the Regular Baptist Church in Jardim Santo Antonio (Igreja Batista Regular em Jardim Santo Antonio) in the Jardim Santo Antonio subdivision of Osasco, São Paulo. While serving the Lord in this ministry, they purchased a 250 m² lot and built a two-story building for the church. One of their converts went to Bible college and served as assistant pastor. When the church was organized he became the church´s first Brazilian pastor. The Lanzes worked at this church until June 1981.
Max and Louise then moved to Curitiba, Paraná, where they started the Maranatha Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Maranata) in the Bairro Alto subdivision of Curitiba. They worked at this church from February 1983 through 1986. They bought 1000 m² of property and built a two-story building for the church. They also built a pastor’s house. The Lanzes worked with several Bible college students to do a religious census of the area and then provided training in the Evangelism Explosion course. Pr. João Batista served with Max as assistant pastor. The church was organized in 1984 with Pr. João Batista as the first Brazilian pastor, where he is still ministering today.
From September 1992 to February 1996, Max and Louise worked at the Marituba Baptist Church (Igreja Batista de Marituba) Marituba, Pará. BMM missionary Becky Mackenen worked with them at this church. Max assisted in this work, and then he served as the senior pastor for a year or so until the church called a full time Brazilian pastor. It was still an unorganized church when the Lanzes left.
For the next eight years (July 1998 to June 2006), Max and Louise worked at the Berean Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Bereiana) in the Vila Braga subdivision of São José dos Pinhais, Paraná. While they were at this ministry, they bought a 985m² lot and built a two-story educational building, a church auditorium, and a pastor’s apartment with classrooms underneath it.
The work in São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, was started by BMM missionary Neal Smith in 1984. Other missionaries and national pastors helped with this work. The church was named the Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular) in São José dos Pinhais. When the Lanzes arrived there, the work was about to close, so they, along with Bible college students, had to basically start over and build up the work. Pr. José Valério Machioski came to work with them as an assistant pastor in January of 2005. He helped prepare the church for its official organization in May 2006, at which time he became pastor of the church.
In addition to their church planting ministries, Max and Louise Lanz have also served on the following boards and institutions: 1974 to 1981 -- Maranata Camp Board in São José dos Campos, São Paulo; 1975 to 1992 -- Max served on the Regular Baptist Press Board; 1982 to 1990 and 1997 to 2009-- Max was a professor at the Parana Baptist Bible Institute (Seminário Batista Regular do Sul); 1992 to 1995 -- Max served as the director of the Baptist Bible Institute of the North (Seminário Batista Regular do Norte) Belém, PA; 1998 to 2009 -- Max served as the Dean of Graduate Studies of the Parana Baptist Bible Institute. Louise served as the BMM South Region treasurer from 1973 to 1976. Louise also taught at both the Belém and the Curitiba Bible institutes.
John and Joyce Larrabee
John and Joyce Larrabee joined Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1995. They arrived in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, on April 17, 1997, and studied Portuguese with a private tutor, Darcy Pessoa da Silva, in Manaus. They finished their language studies in February of 1998.
From 1997 to mid 1998, John and Joyce worked with the Bob Lankfords at the Antioch Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Antioquia) in the Flores subdivision of Manaus. The Larrabee´s ministry was in helping a young Brazilian pastor in neighborhood witnessing, children's Bible club, and music.
From February 1999 to the present date (December 2008), the Larabees have been working at the Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular), in the Livramento subdivision of Urucurituba, Amazonas. Since they started working at this church, they have added a 40 x 50 meter piece of land to the existing church property, finished the first parsonage, added a second parsonage, built a dining hall and kitchen, a two-story multi-purpose building (garage/workshop, bath/shower rooms and two classrooms), and an 8 x 24 meter educational building.
When John and Joyce arrived at this ministry, the church was almost dead. John became the pastor of the work and began a work of evangelism and did much re-teaching. They started a Christian day school and music ministry. They have trained several Brazilians in various aspects of ministry. One of these men is serving as pastor of the congregation in Urucará and another has assumed the church in Urucurituba on January, 3, 2009.
In addition to the work that the Larabees have done in church planting, John has also been a guest teacher at the Regular Baptist Bible College of Amazônia (Seminário Batista Regular da Amazônia) Manaus, Amazonas; served on the staff at the Acampamento Maranata, Itacoatiara, Amazonas; started a boat ministry in 1999; served as the president of the Manaus station for one year. They also host short-term church missions groups to expose them to life on the mission field.
Although John and Joyce have not been with Baptist Mid-Missions for several years, they “thank God for the time with the mission and continue to value the friendship and relationship with many wonderful current and former BMMB missionaries.”
Torrey and Faith Lasley
Torrey Lasley joined Baptist Mid-Missions on July 27, 1991, and he arrived in São Paulo, Brazil, on April 23, 1993, where he did his language studies at the Escola de Português para Missionários Estrangeiros. Torrey came to Brazil as a single missionary and worked at first with Graham Foran, who had been the youth pastor at Torrey´s church in the United States. Torrey married Faith Brennan on January 5, 1995, and Faith joined Baptist Mid Missions on August 2, 1995.
During 1995-96, Torrey worked at the Hope Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular Esperança) Samambaia, Distrito Federal, substituting for BMM missionary Terry Craven while he was on furlough
In July 1997, Torrey and Faith resigned from Baptist Mid-Missions, but continued to work in Brazil. The Lasleys worked from August 1996 until January 2004 with his in-laws in São Paulo. They then ministered in Paraná, and since July 2008, Torrey and Faith have been assisting Pr. Romulo Ribeiro in Goiania, Goias.
Jerry and Frances Leonard
Jerry Dean Leonard and Frances Alice Leonard joined Baptist Mid-Missions in August 1960. They arrived in Brazil on April 22, 1962. Their port of entry was Belém, Pará. They studied Portuguese in the BMM Language School in Fortaleza, Ceará. They finished language school and started their ministry in Juazeiro do Norte in June 1963. In Portuguese, Frances goes by the name of Dona França.
Working with students from the Cariri Bible College, Jerry and Frances had a part in starting many congregations in the Cariri area. They bought properties for these works and built many church buildings and parsonages. Fran is unsure how many churches they started between 1963 and 1988.
From 1966 to 1970, Jerry and Frances worked at the Peace Baptist Church (Igreja Batista da Paz) in the Pirajá subdivision in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. They bought land on Rua da Paz. Because of continued growth, this church has bought more property and rebuilt three times. Jerry built the original church building and pastorium. They organized this church in November 1969.
During this time, along with Missionary Wayne Barber, Jerry went up the mountain logging roads to reach the primitive people in the Araripe Mountains. Later, missionary Louisa Viera started a school and continued this work which still exists today.
From 1972 to 1976, Jerry and Frances worked at the Zion Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Sião) in the city of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. They bought property and built Sunday School rooms. Darrell and Jean Haworth took over this work and developed.
Jerry and Frances helped develop a church in Petrolina, Pernambuco. Although this church no longer exists today, believers from this work are in the Petrolina deaf church and in the Hope Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Esperança) across the river in Juazeiro da Bahia.
Jerry and Frances also helped with the start of a church in Juazeiro da Bahia. They bought a house for a national missionary and then remodeled it to serve for the initial church building. It is the Hope Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Esperança) in Juazeiro da Bahia, Bahia.
In addition to their church planting ministries, Jerry and Frances ministered in the following areas: In June 1962, they helped with the start of the Fortaleza Academy High School; from 1964 to June 1976 they had a bookstore ministry, the Livraria Batista do Cariri; from January 1964 to December 1987, Jerry taught at the Cariri Baptist Bible College in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará (he taught Greek and Bible, but his real passion was in Evangelism and Missions). Frances served as treasurer of the Cariri Baptist Bible College. She also served some terms as treasurer for the BMM Northeast Region. Jerry served as the All Brazil secretary in 1963 and as the Northeast Region President on a few occasions.
Almost as a hobby, Jerry built pews and pulpits for many churches and congregations across Northeast Brazil. He also wrote many gospel tracts and loved holding evangelistic meetings on the streets and public parks.
Before coming to Brazil, Jerry and Frances started a church in Naperville, Illinois, in 1956. They had also had a part in starting a church in Adel, Iowa in 1952.
Since Jerry’s home-going in May 1988, Frances has continued working in the Cariri Valley teaching in the seminary, building pews, helping in the construction of at least four new churches and parsonages and is currently aiding in the establishment of a new church in the city of Juazeiro do Norte. She plans to have this work nationalized by November 2009.
Jerry and Frances have five children. Their two sons, John and Jim, are serving the Lord as missionaries with BMM in Brazil today.
Jim and Julie Leonard
Jim and Julie Leonard joined Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1986. They began deputation in January 1987, and arrived in Brazil in June 1988. Their port of entry was Brasilia, Distrito Federal, as they needed to apply for Julie’s visa there. Josiah was 20 months old, and Joy Anna was two months old when they arrived in Brazil. Jennifer was born in Brazil in 1990. Jim, born in Brazil, is the son of BMM missionaries Jerry and Frances Leonard. Jim’s brother, John, also serves as a missionary with Baptist Mid-Missions in Brazil. Jim already knew Portuguese, having studied as a child at the Colégio Batista do Cariri, in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. Julie studied Portuguese in João Pessoa, Paraiba, where they began their ministry in June 1988. She concluded her language studies in April 1989. In Portuguese, Jim goes by the name “Jaime”, and Julie goes by the name “Júlia”.
Jim and Julie´s first ministry in Brazil was helping establish the Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular de Mangabeira) in the Mangabeira subdivision of João Pessoa, Paraíba. They ministered at that church from June 1988 until January 1992. Jim and Julie worked in an apprenticeship with Russ and Judy Gordon for 18 months. Because the Gordons were called away from the field for a time, Jim assumed the leadership for the last two years of their ministry there. This church received property that was donated by the city. The Leonards and Gordons built an educational wing, a parsonage, and an auditorium for this church.
In January 1992, God moved Jim and Julie eight hours from the coastal city of João Pessoa to the interior of Ceará, to work with the Cariri Baptist Bible College (Seminário Batista do Cariri) Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. Though their primary ministry was with the Bible College, they continued serving in various churches in the Cariri region.
From February 1992 to March 1995, Jim and Julie worked at the First Baptist Church (Primeira Igreja Batista) in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. They served as youth group leaders, and Jim taught the youth Sunday school class.
For the next three years (April 1995 to June 1998), Jim and Julie worked at the First Baptist Church (Primeira Igreja Batista) in Crato, Ceará. Jim taught the New Believers' Class, Julie taught the Ladies' Sunday School Class, and they both worked as the youth counselors.
From July 1998 to April 1999, the Leonards worked with the Mark Willsons at the Maranatha Baptist Congregation (Congregação Batista Maranata) in Crato, Ceará. This was a church started by the Mark Lounsbroughs, and the Leonards helped out while the Lounsbroughs were on furlough.
From July 2000 to December 2006, Jim and Julie worked at the Grace Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular da Graça), in the Seminário subdivision of Crato, Ceará. They worked with Luis and Janet Meneses, who were the founders of this church. Jim taught various Sunday school classes, and served as deacon and treasurer. Julie taught the Ladies’ Sunday School Class and helped lead the Women’s Society. Their children were all baptized at this church and grew spiritually as they ministered here. While they were at Grace Baptist, the church enlarged the educational wing and the parsonage.
From July 2001 to December 2006, the Leonards helped develop the Source of Light Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Fonte de Luz) in the Tiradentes subdivision of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. This church, organized on November 26, 2005, was a congregation of the Canaan Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Canaã) in Juazeiro do Norte (the mother church of this new work). The pastor of Canaã, Antonio Bibiano, resigned his pastorate to be the missionary pastor of this work. Jim met weekly for prayer and planning with Pastor Bibiano and visited the church monthly to help in their preparation for becoming an indigenous Baptist church. The Leonards purchased property for the church, built an educational building, a parsonage, and an auditorium.
From August 2003 to December 2007, Jim and Julie worked with the development of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Nova Jerusalém), in São Francisco subdivision of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. This was a congregation of the Zion Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Sião), in Juazeiro do Norte. Jim worked with student preacher, Porfirio Matos Moura, who became the missionary pastor of this church upon graduation from the Bible College in 2004. This church was officially organized in June 2007. The Leonards helped the church buy property and build an educational wing. Jim describes his ministry at this church as a Church Planting Facilitator. He met monthly with church leaders, held weekly meetings with the national missionary, and worked with the church building committee.
In March 2005, Jim was invited by the First Baptist Church (Primeira Igreja Batista) in Crato, Ceará, to partner with them in the organization of the Ebenezer Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Ebenézer) in the Muriti subdivision of Crato, near the Cariri Seminary campus. Property has been purchased for a building, and the mother church has appointed a committee to work with Jim in drawing up blueprints and develop construction plans. Various seminary students have helped with this church plant. Jim´s responsibilities include periodic visits, meetings with leadership, and serving as a counselor to the church.
Since March 2008, Jim and Julie have been developing a new work in the Parque Grangeiro subdivision of Crato, Ceará. Working with students from the Bible College, Jim has served as the pastor of this congregation. The Leonards have been active in door-to-door visitation, evangelistic meetings in homes, children’s Bible clubs, Sunday school, and youth work.
In addition to Jim and Julie´s church planting ministries, they have also been involved in the following ministries:
1. Helped develop the Camping Ministry at the Paraiba State Camp, 1988 - 1991.
2. Director of the Seminário Batista do Cariri, 1992 - 2008.
3. Julie taught Obreira Cristã and Eventos Especiais at the Cariri Seminary, 1997 – present.
4. Director of the Brazil branch for the Source of Light Correspondence Bible School, 1996 - present.
5. Secretary for BMM Brazil Field Council, 2003, 2004, 2007.
John and Beverly Leonard
John Leonard is a second generation missionary. His parents are Baptist Mid-Mission´s Jerry and Francis Leonard, and his brother is missionary Jim Leonard. John and Beverly joined BMM in March 1988. On August 14, 1990, John and Beverly Leonard arrived in Brazil at the Guarulhos International airport in Guarulhos, São Paulo. After studying Portuguese with a private tutor in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, John officially finished his language studies in August 1991.
Shortly after arriving in Brazil, John and Bev started helping at the Faith Baptist Church (Igreja Batista da Fé) in the subdivision of Triângulo, in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. While ministering at this church from August 1990 to May 1992, the Leonards built a wall around the property and the block. John and Beverly helped Luiz and Janet Meneses, the founders of this church. According to John, this church plant was in a new area with a lot of crime. This was a ministry in a difficult place to work.
John and Bev´s next ministry was at the First Baptist Church of Barro Duro (Primeira Igreja Batista do Barro Duro), in the subdivision of Barro Duro, in Maceio, Alagoas. From June 1992 to May 1994, the Leonards worked at this church. This church was quickly founded and quickly graduated to a national pastor. At this church, a Brazilian missionary named Pastor Renato Volpi helped them. Although the church bought its own property, the buildings, auditorium, and Sunday school class rooms were built by the Leonards. When the Leonards turned the work over to the national belivers, a man they led to Christ at that church became the pastor.
From May 1994 to April 1999, the Leonards worked at the Baptist Church of Graciliano Ramos (Igreja Batista do Graciliano Ramos) in the Graciliano Ramos subdivision of Maceio, Alagoas. A small core group from the Primeira Igreja Batista do Barro Duro church came and helped in this church plant, a church plant started in a new housing development. After buying property for this work, the Leonards made a sports area and built the parsonage and church building. At this church, Pastor Renato Volpi once again assisted them.
Their next church was the Faith Baptist Church (Igreja Batista da Fe) in the subdivision of Parque dos Eucaliptos, in the city of Rio Largo, Alagoas. Founded in a new housing development near the airport, this church had a small core group from the Graciliano Ramos church that helped start this church. From 1999 to 2002, the Leonards ministered here. While at this church, the Leonards bought property for the church, built the church building and parsonage, and installed a sports area (quadra) for the church.
From 2002 to 2005, the Leonards worked at the Victory Baptist Church (Igreja Batista da Vitoria), in the subdivision named Brasilia, in Coqueiro Seco, Alagoas. While here, they purchased property for the church, put in a sports area (poliesportivo), and built a parsonage and church building. This church planting work was in a very high crime area with little police protection. The area was very poor, and its inhabitants were mostly uneducated.
Since 2007, John and Bev have been working at the Igreja Batista da Bíblia (Bible Baptist Church) in the Medeiros subdivision, in the city of Jundiai, São Paulo. This church was started in middle class neighborhood by BMM missionary Terry and Wendy Broyles. Since the Leonards’ arrival, John and Beverly have helped construct Sunday School rooms and the church building.
Mary Sue Lewis
This report was compiled from Mary Sue Lewis´ BMM Northeast work reports for 1980; 1984; 1985; 1986; 1989, 1991, 1999; and 2000. No report was received from Mary Sue Lewis
Mary Sue Lewis joined Baptist Mid-Missions in 1964. She taught at a school for missionary children in Ghana, Africa, for her first nine years with BMM. In 1973, she transferred to Brazil and started teaching in the Fortaleza Academy in Fortaleza, Ceará. Teaching at the Fortaleza Baptist Academy was her primary ministry in Brazil, although she did help out at a few churches in the area.
Through the years she mainly taught the elementary school grades. In 1984, she taught United States history to six students: one student had been born in Jamaica, one in India, one in Canada, one in England, one in Brazil, and one that had actually been born in the United States.
As Mary Sue Lewis progressed in Portuguese, she began helping out in the Brazilian churches. Her main church ministry through the years was done through the Grace Baptist Church (Igreja Batista da Graça) in the subdivision of Conjunto Industrial in Fortaleza, Ceará. She worked at this church with Charles & Joan Nichols. Her main ministry was teaching the Junior Sunday School class. During the 1990´s, this church had an Awana (OANSE) program with 140 children who attended.
At the first of 2000, she started helping Berean Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular Beriana) in the Messejana subdivision in Fortaleza, Ceará. In December 2000 she started teaching at the Philemon Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular Filimão) in Fortaleza, Ceará.
Sue taught missionary children for 44 years. She taught at the Fortaleza Academy for 37 of those years. She invested her life teaching missionary children.
She returned to the United States for health reasons and for retirement in 2008.
David & Ann Lind
David and Ann Lind joined Baptist Mid-Missions in November 1967. They arrived in Belém, Pará, Brazil, on July 15, 1969, with their 17 month-old daughter, Heather. They studied Portuguese in the BMM language school in Fortaleza, Ceará, and finished their studies in May 1970.
David and Ann answered God’s call to Brazil as missionary teachers at the Fortaleza Academy. In all of their 39 years in Brazil, they were active in the ministry of the Academy along with church planting. Ann taught in the elementary school and later in the junior / senior high school. Dave taught throughout the years in the junior and senior high school.
The BMM Northeast Region Field Council invited them to serve as dorm parents in the Big House for the BMM children. Returning from furlough in July 1974 with their 11 month-old son, Andrew, and Heather, Dave and Ann served a total of 5 years in the Big House (July 1974 to June 1978, July 1979 to June 1980). They also had four teens living in their home for the 1990-91 school year when there were no dorm-parents for the Big House. These were highlight years for the Linds having their “family” vary between seven and eighteen children and teens. They wrote: “Our lives were enriched teaching and caring for the children of our colleagues, and we have fond memories of each young person the Lord placed in our care.
David served as the administrator of Fortaleza Academy for 18 years (1984 to 2002). The Linds wrote, “We treasure these years in the Academy having been able to touch the lives of numerous MKs, many of whom are second generation MKs. It has been our privilege to work side-by-side with MKs who studied at F.A. and are now our BMM colleagues. We praise the Lord that more than 70 Fortaleza Academy alumni are missionaries, pastors, or pastors’ wives around the world.”
From June 1970 to May 1972, the Linds worked in the Regular Baptist Congregation of Aquiraz (Congregação Batista Regular) in the city of Aquiraz, Ceará. Dave and Ann ministered there with the help of a deacon and young people from the Mucuripe Regular Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Regular) in the Mucuripe subdivision of Fortaleza, Ceará. In a town dominated by the Roman Catholic Church, the First Baptist Church in Aquiraz (Primeira Igreja Batista Regular em Aquiraz) is thriving today with Pastor Romualdo.
August 1973 to June 1981, the Linds worked at the Central Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Central) in Fortaleza, Ceará. Dave and Ann wanted the BMM kids they were caring for in the dorm to be involved in a strong local church that had youth activities. Through teaching and counseling new converts, Dave assisted Pastor Manuel Morais and later Pastor José Dantas.
The Linds worked at the New Life Baptist Congregation (Congregação Batista Nova Vida) in the Siqueira subdivision in Fortaleza, Ceará, from July 1981 to May 1987. They built a sanctuary and Sunday school classrooms with the help of Sr. Alirio Viana, a deacon of the Central Baptist Church. They appreciated the MKs from the Academy who helped in this work: Walter Gordon, Joy Haworth, and Heather Lind. When the Linds went on furlough June 1987, they left the congregation in the hands of Pastor Lúcio of the Emmanuel Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Emanuel) in Fortaleza, Ceará. In January 1988, he stopped holding services and essentially closed the work. The few faithful members were found attending other churches.
Returning from furlough, the Linds joined Graham and Rene Foran, who were still in language school and needed help in the beginning stages of the Regular Baptist Congregation in the Jardim Iracema subdivision of Fortaleza, Ceará. For the next 10 years (September 1988 to December 1998), David and Ann worked at this church. Land for the church was purchased by Pastor José Perreira, the Forans, and Betty Luytjes. With gifts provided by God’s people in the USA, the Linds built the sanctuary, Sunday school classrooms, and pastor’s apartment. Later, with funds from William Bolthouse, a two-story education building was erected. When the Forans moved to São Paulo in June 1989, the following missionaries assisted the Linds at different intervals in this church: Betty Luytjes, Doug and Becky Couch, and Ray and Jan Reiner. Johnny and Rena Nunley worked with Dave and Ann for a number of years during which time the church was organized into the Regular Baptist Church in Jardim Iracema (Igreja Batista Regular em Jardim Iracema) and called Pastor Oscar who continues to have a very fruitful ministry there.
In January 1999, Dave and Ann and Johnny and Rena Nunley began the Regular Baptist Congregation in the Curio subdivision of Fortaleza, Ceará. Eric and Cindy Baker also assisted in the beginning months. This work started as a Bible study in the home of a young couple recently arrived from São Paulo. After six months of experiencing the Lord’s increase, the congregation needed its own facilities. In August 1999, with a generous gift from William Bolthouse, the Linds were able to purchase a large tract of land with a three bedroom house. In June 1999, the Nunleys and Bakers moved to other areas of Brazil. Later the Lord gave them Edson Pinto, a seminary student, to help with visitation and discipling, and Helen Wing came to work in the music ministry.
Eric and Cindy Baker returned to Fortaleza in July 1992, and Eric served as pastor during the Linds´ furlough. In 2002, through generous gifts from William Bolthouse and many others in the USA, the Lord enabled Dave and Ann to build a 250 seat auditorium, Sunday school classrooms, and a kitchen. In February, 2004 the Regular Baptist Church of Curió (Igreja Batista Regular em Curió) was organized, and in June 2006, Iranleide Delfino, who was saved in this church, became the pastor. Pastor Doka and his wife, Karine, give vibrant leadership as seen in the churchs’ continued growth and development.
During the Linds last year of ministry in Brazil (August 2007 to July 2008), Dave served as pastor of the Baptist Congregation (Congregação Batista em Precabura) in the Precabura subdivision of Euzebio, Ceará, during Kelly and Debbie McMaster´s furlough. David and Ann led the church in two Vacation Bible Schools, two evangelistic conferences, and discipled new believers throughout the year.
In addition to David and Ann´s church planting ministries, they also served in the following ministries:
1. David worked for four years producing the radio program “Mensagem de Fé,” a ministry Neal Smith began and Walt Miller continued.
2. Ann was recognized as a literacy teacher by ALFALITE in Brazil and had the privilege of teaching believers in the Igreja Batista Regular em Curió to read and write.
3. Along with Pastor Eliel, David enjoyed three years of a prison ministry to men incarcerated at the IPPO2 prison near Fortaleza. (2003–2006).
4. David, with pastors from the Fortaleza area Regular Baptist churches, organized the Hebron Regular Baptist Camp (Hebron Regular Batista Camp) in Caucia, Ceará. With two generous donations from the Linds´ home church in the United States, land was purchased in August 2004 and construction of two 8 room dormitories with baths and a meeting/dining/kitchen facility were completed and dedicated in August 2008.
5. David had the privilege of serving both the BMM Northeast Region and the All-Brazil Field Council in executive offices for a number of years. He served as president, secretary and treasurer on both levels
Dave and Ann returned to the United States on August 29, 2008, and retired from active service with BMM on December 31, 2008, receiving emeritus status. The Lord led them to live in Tucson, Arizona, where their daughter and son-in-law (Heather and Rob) live. They thank the Lord for leading them to Bethel Baptist Church in Tucson where the Lord is giving them many opportunities to serve Him.
David and Ann´s children are also an important part of their lives in Brazil. The Lord gave them two wonderful children who grew up in Brazil. Heather was born in the US and came with them for their first term of service in July 1969 when she was 18 months old. Andrew was born while the Linds were on their first furlough, and he returned with them after the Linds´ first furlough when he was 10 months old. Both enjoyed growing up in Fortaleza and have fond memories of the churches they worked in and the country of Brazil. They both graduated from Fortaleza Academy - Heather in 1986 and Andrew in 1992. They now live in the USA. Heather is married to Rob McGlynn and lives in Tucson, Arizona, and Andrew is living in southern California.
Mark & Rebekah Lounsbrough
Mark & Rebekah Lounsbrough joined Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1987. They arrived on the field on September 13, 1989. Rebekah (Becki) Nichols Lounsbrough is BMM missionaries Chuck and Joan Nichols’ daughter. Chuck and Joan were missionaries in Brazil before Chuck became the South American Field Director for Baptist Mid-Missions from 1985 to 2000.
Mark had three main ministries during his 19 years of ministry in Brazil: (1) teaching at the Cariri Valley Baptist Seminary in the Cariri Valley of Ceará (Seminário Batista do Cariri); (2) starting the Maranatha Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Maranata) in Crato, Ceará; (3) and serving as president of the Brazilian missionary agency, Missão Auxiliadora Batista (MAB). In English, they are known as the Baptist Auxiliary Mission.
Mark began teaching at the Cariri Valley Baptist Seminary in 1991. Besides his teaching responsibilities, he helped with music, leading the choir for several years, starting a small singing group to represent the college, and helped organize the summer music seminars. An enjoyable extension of this music ministry was starting a 100 voice Christmas choir made up of members from the area churches. He also headed up the evangelistic outreach to the Padre Cícero pilgrims each fall, working with the seminary students and helping them organize it.
In 1990 to 1991, Mark and Becki worked at Hope Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Esperança) located in the area called Sítio São José, in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. In 1991, Mark turned it back over to BMM missionary, Darrell Haworth. Mark and Becki began working with the Regular Baptist Church of Novo Juazeiro (Igreja Batista Regular de Novo Juazeiro), in the subdivision of Novo Juazeiro, in the city of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. Mark worked in the area of music until 1995.
In 1995, Mark and Becki started the Maranatha Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Maranata) in Crato, Ceará. This church is a congregation of the Regular Baptist Church of Novo Juazeiro (Igreja Batista Regular de Novo Juazeiro), in the city of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará. The church was handed over to Brazilian leadership in 2003 and Mark and Becki continued to serve alongside the Brazilian pastor until they returned to the United States in 2008.
In addition to his seminary and church responsibilities Mark was able to serve in several leadership capacities. In 1991, Mark assumed the presidency of the Baptist Auxiliary Mission Board, Missão Auxiliadora Batista (MAB). He served as president until their furlough in 2005. He also enjoyed serving the Northeast region as president on three different occasions.
In 2008, Mark and Becki felt that the Lord was leading them back to the United States to serve at the Faith Baptist Bible College where Mark is the Chair of the Missions Department. They continue on with Baptist Mid-Missions in the capacity of assistant area representative.
Betty Luytjes (Walden)
Betty Luytjes joined Baptist Mid-Missions in July 1984. She arrived in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, on December 31, 1984 and she studied Portuguese at the BMM language school in Fortaleza, completing her studies in November 1985. She married Edward Walden on November 15, 2008, and she and her husband are a part of the North American Field Council of BMM. The following report shows the ministries Betty was involved in while she was a full time missionary in Brazil.
During 1985 and 1986, Betty helped Tom and Jill Miller at the Maranatha Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Maranata) in the Cidade 2000 subdivision of Fortaleza, Ceará. At this church she taught the junior high Sunday school class and worked with the youth group.
From 1987 to April 1992, Betty worked at the Regular Baptist Church of Jardim Irecema (Igreja Batista Regular de Jardim Iracema) in the Jardim Irecema subdivision of Fortaleza. In June 1988, Betty, along with the Tevelândia Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Tevelândia/ now Manancial) and Graham Foran, helped with the purchase of land for the congregation. Betty worked alongside David and Ann Lind, Graham and Rene Foran, and Johnny and Rena Nunley at this church. During these years, Betty worked with Christmas/Easter programs, plays, youth group, helped with VBS, as well as Sunday school teaching.
Next Betty assisted the Berean Baptist Church (Igreja Batista Beriana) in the Aerolandia subdivision of Fortaleza from April 1992 to December 1996. Betty assisted this church in the area of music, Sunday school teaching, VBS, AWANA (OANSE), ladies group, youth group, discipleship, and by serving as the church treasurer.
During her last ten years of ministry in Brazil (April 1997 to August 2008), Betty worked at the First Regular Baptist Church of Aquiraz (Primera Igreja Batista Regular de Aquiraz) Aquiraz, Ceará. While at this church, Betty helped them buy a large piece of property and build a pastor’s residence in 2002, a multi-purpose building in 2004, and classrooms and bathrooms in 2008. She worked alongside BMM missionary Karis Elliot at this church. Betty´s areas of responsibilities included teaching Sunday school, helping with the music, programs/plays, discipleship, construction, and AWANA (OANSE).
Betty also assisted in the following areas: taught classes and was the librarian at the Fortaleza Academy (1985–2008); served for two years as the treasurer of the BMM Northeast Region; and served on the Fortaleza Guest House Committee for the BMM Fortaleza complex.
Since her marriage in November 2008, Betty is serving, with her husband, on the staff of Missionary Acres, Silva, Missouri.
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