Friends and Family,
August has been a great time to really focus on the long lasting impact that we see God making in the hearts and lives of the people here in Brazil . August 11th, we started working on a project to benefit ALL of the Free Lutheran churches here in Brazil , which God has really opened up the door for in the process of it going forth!
This project is the revising, editing, contributing to, and updating of the Manual Evangelico here in Brazil, which is the book used in the churches for understanding AFLC doctrine, training in Confirmation, New Member classes, Sunday School, and Bible Studies. It truly is a widely used booklet with an impact at various different levels. The reason why we have been trying to edit this book, after three people have already previously tried unsuccessfully, is that currently the book hasn’t been updated since 1985, and has many grammatical errors scattered throughout the book from as early as the 1956 edition. The book had no longer adequately related to the changed culture and needs of the church regarding doctrine. This updated Manual will be able to more adequately meet the needs of the congregations here and be useful for solid Biblical training in the Word of God and in AFLC doctrine! The extra 120 pages that we have added to the booklet (originally 80 pages) more adequately explains our position as Free Lutherans, and meet the needs of the changing culture around us.
After working 10+ hours a day on this material at times, we look forward to sending the book to be printed September 15, Lord willing, and have it in the hands of the church leaders here by the Annual Conference. Please continue to pray for us as we push forward in this project, as we hope to present this book published at the Annual Conference here in Brazil on October 9th. Our prayer is that the Lord would use it to train His church.During this last month, we have also had the opportunity to travel 10 hours north to our AFLC church in Campo Grande ! This church was originally was designed by Jonathan Abel when he was the Pastor there and it is a beautiful church with some great people. Going on the trip with Pastor Joel, the President of the AFLC in Brazil , and Pastor Silvio, the Vice President, was really a great opportunity for both of us. We were able to hear from there perspectives what the AFLC needs to be doing here in Brazil to keep growing and what sort of different ministry opportunities that have been presented. So many people that we talk to have the heart to continue to help the AFLC here grow and it’s such a great opportunity to be able to work alongside them.
While we were in Campo Grande we were able to participate in the praise team and do another song of special music. Nathan also had a chance to share a word with the congregation about living a life honoring to Christ and what it means to be a Christian. The church is looking to plant another church in the community so we continue to pray that it all goes smoothly for them.
Looking ahead, we go forward with anticipation of the Annual Conference coming up in the month of October. Pastor Kevin Olson will be joining us here for two weeks in October and will be the keynote speaker for the Annual Conference here in Brazil . Both of us will be looking to present our published version of the Manual Evangelico at the Annual Conference as well as a presentation of the Ambassador Institute training, which Nathan has been working on translating into Portuguese. Please pray for warm receptivity for both presentations, as well as a uniting Conference, as the AFLC here in Brazil strongly looks and seeks for direction from the Lord.
With these prayer needs, we also would ask for you to remember us financially, with our ongoing expenses of $200 a month for rent, as well as the cost of transportation to and from the congregations we are visiting and ministering to. We are also looking at paying for our trip home, and are currently not a stage where we can afford that financially.
Thanks again for remembering us in prayer! God bless!
Nathan Olson & Jon Nelson
If you would like to support us in our ministry here in Brazil , please send your support to :
(Nathan Olson & Jon Nelson)
AFLC World Missions
3110 East Medicine Lake Blvd
Plymouth , MN 55441
