August 2010 News

Elder Link comes to Brazil

Presenters from the US: Charles and Judy Siburt, Randy Harris, Roland Orr, Jim and Lana Trietsch and David and Jeanne Wray. Coordinators of the event in Brazil: Bryan and Becky Gibbs, Jerry and Gail Heiderich, João and Ina de Marco, Alaor and Miriam Leite, Antonio and Lucimar Ferreira, Valentim and Leila Zanatta, and Antenor and Phyllis Gonçalves.


Thanks to all who made it possible!!

For the past 10 years the Elder Link ministry has been equipping, encouraging and linking those who serve as leaders in Churches of Christ. This means that not only elders, but also ministers, deacons, ministry leaders and spouses have taken advantage of an opportunity to improve their leadership skills and experience much-needed spiritual refreshment.

During the weekend of August 6-7, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Elder Link was held outside of the US. Thirty-seven couples and one single, including 14 Elders, 17 Ministers, and 7 Missionaries came from every corner of the country; 18 cities and 13 states were represented, including 2 families from Santiago, Chile.

In the fifty-year history of the churches of Christ in Brazil, this was the first such event aimed specifically for elders, ministers who work with elders and those preparing to become elders, and their wives.

This ministry, headed up by Bryan and Becky Gibbs, along with 6 other couples, most of whom serve as elders, have spent more than a year planning and organizing this special weekend. Our goal is to encourage more churches to select elders and more mature men to aspire to be elders.

Immediately after the retreat, 20 couples, representatives from each region of the country, stayed for a one-day planning and preparation meeting for “Pastoreai” the Brazilian equivalent of Elder Link which will begin next year. Four “Pastoreai” events will take place in Brasilia, Recife, Sao Paulo and Curitiba.

Brazil will be impacted for years to come because of your vision, support and commitment to the development of healthy and vibrant leadership for the congregations here. We pass on gratitude and brotherly love from all those who participated and wanted to express their excitement to you through us.


Jerry translating for Randy Harris


The participation and reaction of those who attended was enthusiastic. Here are some responses:

The church in Brazil is 50 years old and Elder Link gave us one more secure step toward the maturity of the church.
Encouraging! Stimulating! Those who are already elders were encouraged in their work. Those who aspire to be elders were stimulated to serve. Everyone was impacted by the challenging lessons.
The elder link experience was a landmark. An historical event for the leadership of the church in Brazil. This is a movement that requires bold decisions from visionary people.


Here are the 75 participants from the Elder Link retreat.















Family News and Prayer Needs:
Angela began her 5th year of teaching Spanish and is taking 2 classes toward her master´s degree in Modern Languages.
Kristofer was invited at the last minute to teach at Heritage International School in Kampala, Uganda. He had only two weeks notice and got there a week after school started. He needs your prayers as this is his first year of teaching and in another country. He has now lived on 4 different continents.
Gail has recovered from her broken ankle. Jerry had pneumonia and Gail had bronchitis after returning to Brazil from furlough, but both are feeling much better now. Please pray for us to stay well.
Kris and Angela and Joel are all coming here for Christmas! We are feeling so blessed that we will have the family all together for a few days.




Kris visiting his friend, Joseph, who is a driver at the school. He spent the weekend with Joseph´s family in a village about 3 hours from Kampala.