FIEL’s fourth Brazilian youth conference

The vision to have a reformed conference for Brazilian youth arose out of two issues. First, we were concerned about the increasing apathy and superficiality in the Brazilian evangelical church and in Christian youth in general.
Secondly, we knew that some young people went to great lengths to attend Editora Fiel’s (a reformed publisher in the Portuguese language) annual leadership conferences. The need to schedule a serious conference for young people was being pressed upon us.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Leaning upon the mighty God’. Its purpose was to encourage all to stand firmly upon the word of the Almighty. One young man described it ‘as a return to biblical standards in opposition to the values of our modern world’.
The conference was held at the Ranch Hotel Valley of Cedars, in the picturesque hills of the coastal mountain range. It brought together young people from nine different states of Brazil. The studies were led by three Brazilian pastors and Pastor Kendall Holley from Shreveport, Louisiana. While there were many activities such as skits, horseback riding, canoeing, soccer and volleyball, the aim was to impact lives for Christ.
Despite some problems with a few undisciplined youths, there were many encouraging results. One attendee wrote, ‘I was greatly encouraged to hold steadfastly to biblical principles even in the twentyfirst century’.
Any lasting results will be seen in the days to come. Please pray that the Word sown may produce much fruit in the lives of those who attended.