Free haircuts and dental care. The distribution of medications at no cost. Lessons in art and cooking and agriculture. To some, these things may seem like simple acts of kindness, the generous gifting of important services, resources, and knowledge to enhance people’s quality of life. But to native missionaries in Brazil, they present opportunities to live out the Great Commission, opening the door for them to be the hands and feet of Jesus among ethnic tribes who are not only wary—but sometimes even hostile—to missionaries’ attempts to share the gospel.

“In these past months we have been doing very intense work,” the ministry leader said. Intense. A word that speaks to missionaries’ determination to build trust and establish relationships with the many unreached people groups that stretch across Brazil’s Amazon region.

During the last six months, the ministry has worked within at least five ethnic tribes, providing essential services and resources to people who have never heard the name of Jesus. Their work brings people together, providing opportunities to fellowship and learn important life skills while also building a foundation of trust that will later enable the gospel to be presented.

“In a community with a leadership that is reluctant to the gospel, we use this strategy to open up the community,” the ministry leader said. “Our work is essentially centered on preaching the message of Jesus Christ, but sometimes we are faced with real and desperate needs that we cannot close our eyes to, and we see this as an opportunity to be a blessing in people’s lives.”

At the conclusion of each service rendered or lesson provided, missionaries follow up with visits to those they met. During those visits, they share the gospel. Such a strategy has proved effective, with many people now so excited about Jesus and their new-found faith in Him that Bible studies are ongoing, churches are being planted, and the availability of printed and audio Bibles are transforming entire villages.

In one village, the ministry recently organized a team of masons to begin construction on a much-anticipated church building, the first church to be built for that particular ethnic tribe. In another village, a missionary completed a series of reading and writing lessons with the children and led a service of thanksgiving to praise the goodness of the Lord. In yet another place, a man who gave his life to Christ now hosts a Bible study in his home. Some who practiced witchcraft received Bibles—either in print or audio—and were so overcome by the power of the gospel that they gave their lives to Christ and abandoned their traditional religions.

“Praise God,” the ministry leader said. “It is beautiful to see them assimilating to the teachings of the Scriptures.”

Please consider a donation today to support indigenous missionaries who are diligent and determined servants of Christ. Pray that their work will be fruitful and that they will continue to prayerfully follow the Lord’s call as He seeks to bring the lost into His kingdom.