Hello! My name is Joel Kearney, and I’ve been involved in missions here in Brazil since January 2021, serving alongside local churches and organizations like YWAM and South America Mission. It has been a joy and privilege to share the hope of Christ among impoverished communities, meeting physical and spiritual needs through Bible studies, worship services, soccer programs, tutoring, clothing and food drives, clinics, and family visitations.

As Jesus made evident throughout His earthly ministry, there are few things as important as discipleship. Discipleship demonstrates a genuine desire for the greatest good of others and fosters a truer understanding of their physical and spiritual needs. It allows us to effectively carry one another’s burdens, to shed gospel clarity on doubts and uncertainty, to encourage and provide hope as we point others to the One who guides and restores us.

The Northeast of Brazil is full of diverse communities, including indigenous peoples and descendants of Afro-Brazilian slaves. Much of Brazil’s rich history and culture is rooted here in the Northeast. Countless villages in this region do not have a church or ministry presence. Many have never received the Gospel message, and others have heard propaganda filled with false teaching, bribery, and deceitful practices. There is a great need for sound biblical teaching and discipleship in Northeast Brazil.

Returning with a team to Várzea do Una

From late December to mid-January, I will be leading a team of young adults to continue sharing the hope of Christ in the impoverished village of Várzea do Una. Located on the border of Pernambuco and Alagoas, this fishermen community and its neighboring villages are often heavily overlooked. Várzea and the surrounding region is booming with kids and has a deep need for renewal that comes only through Christ.

We will be partnering with two Brazilian churches and three Bible-believing translators to run a Bible school program (as the kids will be out of school) as well as family visitations and evening services.

Here's a video of when we were there in May: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBPBJ59xYB4 

In the future, we hope to build an ongoing ministry base in this community where we already have a plot of land. Our desire is to bring awareness of the deep needs in this region and be a part of the solution by providing a space for continued ministry. We plan to partner with both local churches and non-local ministries. Teams sent out by ministry organizations can provide resources that local churches simply don't have access to and can prepare comprehensive outreach activities for kids and families – such as Bible camps, health clinics, seminars on hygiene and family care, and food and clothing distributions. This base would also be a hub for sustained ministry where local churches can build deeper relationships with the families of those villages, understand the needs more deeply, and host regular Bible studies and worship services.

I daily see deep consequences of extreme poverty, trauma, poor education, malnutrition, false spiritual practices, alcoholism among other addictions, paternal abandonment, and countless other effects of living in a broken world. But the Northeast of Brazil is also full of the kindest people you’d ever meet, many of whom are deeply searching for truth and hope. There are many so tired of hearing lies, and it is wonderful to see them meet Jesus – the only real Way, Truth, and Life.

When I meet the people of these villages, I feel a sense of love, compassion, and a longing to serve – a result of Christ’s love at work in us. My desire is that we continue to see change and healing through the hope of Christ in communities invested into by churches, missionaries, and ministries. And as disciples are made, that they be filled with love for their neighboring communities, to go forth and make more disciples. After all, we are blessed to then be a blessing, and no candle loses even a speck of its flame in lighting another. Who better to reach those in other Northeast Brazil communities than those who were personally shaped by it and, through discipleship and the work of the Holy Spirit, have experienced the life-changing, transformational power of the cross.

The call of the Christian in the Great Commission is to make disciples; this certainly goes beyond professing the name of Jesus and departing as if to have checked off some box. Evangelism and discipleship are certainly quite a process, but a beautiful one! It requires sacrifice, investment, and humility. This world is full of relationships that need restoring, cycles that need breaking, and lives that need healing; what a privilege it is that God chooses to use us as part of that redemption process.

Please pray that God continues to use His children to share the hope of Christ with those in the diverse communities of Northeast Brazil and for Bible-preaching, well-sustained churches and ministries to be planted there.

Thank you as always for your prayers, partnership, and encouragement. Please consider partnering with us as we return to this ministry endeavor in Northeast Brazil. May God bless you abundantly beyond what you could ask or imagine.

Love,

Joel

If you would like specifics on our efforts and financial needs, I’d be delighted to hear from you. Please reach out with any thoughts, questions, or if you would simply like to connect!

Email: joelinmissions@gmail.com

(Facebook and Instagram: joelkearney. Happy to talk over the phone as well!)