Local church takes trip to Brazil to share Gospel
Published 6:12 am Sunday, July 24, 2016
- Clint and Nikki Phillips sing in church in Brazil during a Grace Baptist Church trip in June. Photo provided
By Ashley Harrington
Although Brazil might be just another country in South America for some or the host of the 2016 Summer Olympics to others, members of Grace Baptist Church in Austin have found it to be a place rich in gospel, love and salvation.
After almost 80 years of supporting and sending missionaries to Brazil, members of the church decided to take a chance and finally travel there themselves. A 10-person group took a mission trip to Crato, Brazil, from June 16 to 30.
“We have a lot of history in Brazil,” said Alexa Wood, who traveled to Brazil with the group.
Group members Bill and Helen Holder were excited to be exposed to the culture and hospitality Brazil had to offer, as well as see the work the church has done there.
“We really are Bible believing and it says to go out and reach people in any way you possibly can,” Bill said. “This was an amazing trip for that.”
A group from Grace Baptist Church visited Brazil in June. Pictured, from left, in back row are: Clint Phillips, Nick Berthiaume, Dave Holder, Alexa Wood and Bill Holder. Pictured in the front row: Nikki Phillips, Vicki Bjork, Gail Kawamura, Alayna Wood and Helen Holder. Photo provided
With the majority of the group being teachers, they applied those skills on the trip. They taught English on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with almost 100 people attending each session.
The group also offered lessons on American culture, holidays and society.
The group saw familiar faces when they visited as well. Clint Phillips, the group’s leading coordinator, got in touch with two missionaries who have spent 28 years in Brazil to plan their visit. Julie Leonard, an Austin native, and her husband, Jim, housed and took care of the group during their two-week stay in Brazil.
As the trip went on, the group slowly realized how much they were learning from the people of Brazil.
“Sometimes we get a very closed off mindset, not intentionally, but we get wrapped up in our own community,” Clint said. “Doing this, going to another place, helps you see a bigger picture.”
The group spoke of the importance of being open-minded and seeing something that’s greater than oneself. They hope to continue their strong connection with the people of Brazil for years to come.
