Inspiring Convert Story-27
"An answer to God's call"
Ricardo M. Vaz
Sao Paulo, Brazil
I WAS BORN and raised in Sao Bernardo, Sao
Paulo, Brazil. I My parents and I were the first Church of
Christ converts in our humble congregation of Sao Paulo in the
continent of South America. We received the holy baptism on December
9, 2000.
We were former Catholics and we used
to follow its traditions without an
understanding of why we belonged to this religion. My
attendance in church functions was nothing more than my attendance
at a wedding or a funeral.
I pursued higher education, led a happy and
contented life. I graduated from the Universidad Metodista de Sao
Paolo with a Bachelor's degree in Tourism and I plan to pursue a
post-college education.
In the latter part of
1999, I attended a Protestant church for about
five months, My heart, however, was not into this
religion.
My aunt, Sister Roseli Serna who was
formerly from New Jersey, had a great influence in my family's
conversion into the Church of Christ. My sister, Andreia Vaz-Ortega,
was called into the Church when she lived with Aunt Roseli in
Colonia, New Jersey. In the 1990s, visits to
my sister meant attending worship services, which
initially proved a challenge to me because of the
language barrier. However, I became more curious about this Church
as time went by.
Brother Gerard Reyes of Temple Hills, Maryland
was sent by his accounting firm to Sao Paulo around 1999. He
became instrumental in starting committee prayer meetings which is now known as Group Worship Service. He
was also a volunteer preacher. He became well versed in the
Portuguese language communication and that paved the way for a
better communication and understanding of the doctrinal lessons.
My parents and I previously attended
the worship services in the United States. We were bonded
through mutual friends with Brother Gerry and his family. With
relatives already members of the Church, I was personally intrigued
about the Church of Christ, which my sister Andreia had
joined. I then decided to give it a chance and listen to the
Church's teachings.
My father, Sinval, my mother
Maria, and
myself became the first fruits of the Church in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
After so many months of attending Bible studies,
we were enlightened and were eventually
baptized on that glorious day of December 9, 2000.
Brother Paterno See, Southeastern Seaboard District Minister
then, conducted our baptism. After
receiving the holy baptism, I felt awakened to a new
life, a new beginning!
The teachings of the Christ are based solely on
the Bible. I found the teaching about the nature of God and of Christ
interesting. Other people say they use the same Bible but they do
not see the light as the Church of Christ members do. They do not
share the same understanding we do. Today, about 80 on my
mother's side of the are joining the Church of Christ.
We fervently pray that more of our relatives and friends
listen to the pure words of God written Holy Scriptures.
Now, I feel God's presence in my life through
prayer. I have come to realize through the daily experiences in my
young life that I can overcome trials and persecutions whenever I
plead to God in prayer. He listens and brightens up my way. Through
active participation in Church activities, my soul is nurtured and
it helps me grow stronger in faith.
On May 26, 2003, I
embarked on a mission to travel to America to fulfill my life's
goal. I attended an orientation of ministerial
students held at the house of worship in
Jacksonville, Florida. I feel
in my heart that God calls us for a reason—to help continue the work
of salvation. I am happy to do it in answer to God's call.
Today, in Sao Paulo, My father holds the
office of head deacon and my mother is a deaconess. I hold an office
in the Secretariat. I also serve translator for the lessons as well
the hymns for the worship service. The Group Worship Service is held
at our home in Rua Miosotis, 188-Bairro Asuncao, Sao Bernardo do
Campo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 09811-100. Brother Gerry and his family
were transferred to Mexico City around June 2001 but our young
congregation did not cease to exist at
his departure. We are active and strong in faith, growing in
membership, and actively bringing visitors to our evangelical
missions. Often, attendance at worship services and evangelical
missions are doubled because of the increasing number of visitors
wanting to learn more about the Church of Christ.
Through the Church Administration, we
continue to receive the words of God. By the grace
of God we are here to carry on the torch of our faith.
___________________
Source: April 2005, God's Message, p.10