71 communicants currently belong to four churches. In the interior city of Dourados, the growing nucleus of over 100 regular attendees was granted permission to buy land and construct a modest chapel thanks to a gift from members of a Minnesota congregation. Under the patient pastoring of Missionary Charles Flunker, the group is organizing as a corporation and, after 10 years of worshiping in the Flunker home, is excited about the possibilities presented by having their own worship facility. Work in the suburban city of Gravatai is expanding. Having leased a building that currently serves as a simple space for worship and classes, Missionary Guy Marquardt decided to rent a small home next door for the purpose of opening a Family Center in the neighborhood.
Congregational involvement is high.
Members see this program as a non-threatening way to invite friends and neighbors to learn about their Savior. Initial results are very positive as many new people have been attracted to hear the Word. The megalopolis of Sao Paulo is where Missionary Charles Gumm and his family are making inroads to an apartment-studded area of the city, gradually catching the attention of busy urbanites. Participation in the various programs offered at the remodeled CIC has increased. Plans for the coming year include initiating a campus ministry at a nearby university.