It amazes me how God finds leaders and through discipleship builds them into powerful men and women of God. We have just returned from Alem Paraiba Methodist Church where a group of young leaders ages 15-25 brought the kingdom to a small town.

Jerrod Reader, who is 15, prayed for a line of adults waiting to be touched by this young man. In the midst of the glory, I got a little closer to hear his prayer. It sounded like this: “God, come from heaven right now and pour your Holy Spirit upon this man. God, in the name of Jesus Christ, I come against all viles of the devil. Come Holy Spirit, Hallelleuia!” The man was in tears, receiving from God, but not understanding a single word Jerrod said.

Alan Sell laid hands on about 40 people that night, praying for the healing of God to come and release the captives. Jordan preached a small 5-minute sermon that will be remembered by us and everyone else in that auditorium! Katie Freeland moved in so much power that everyone she touched went down.

I know that the Lord is preparing a great army for the coming years. Our ministry this year alone has discipled over 54 young men and women who are currently in one seminary. It gives me great joy to see young people coming to serve the Lord in these days of great growth in the life of our church.

Most of our young boys on this trip are shaving their heads. It is simply a desperate way of saying to God: “Lord, here I am, take away what hinders me; move in me.” Nathan Dickens found one of the elders of the local church and began to pray with him. The man must have been in his 70’s, crying before God for a touch on him and in his family. I saw Nathan, pour tears of joy over this elderly man. I thought to myself: “His father will be proud.”  Zach Stubblefield could be heard from miles, screaming over a lady in terrible need. God was doing a powerful work that night. Hundreds received prayer and ministry.

Through the gifts of Glenn Ray, Joseph Tillman Sr., and Mary and Bob Rice, I purchased three instruments in Athens, Georgia - two trumpets and one trombone. We presented these instruments to the church at the Sunday night service and the people rejoiced.

Here are the names of the young people in Brazil now and a word that describes what I see happening with them:

Sidney Card: Full of the glory of God- Never will be the same

Sara Card: Praying with Power- She is finding herself

Sara Bailey: Healed- Not a casuality any longer

Amy Moyers: Delivered

Pauline Blankenship: Baptized in Power- You want her to pray for you. You will never forget it!

Tony Moyers: Called to preach

Kim Moyers: Full of Glory

Allison Linn: Fasting five days

Jordan Kinsey: Shaved his head and preaches like an adult-Rebellion is gone

Zachary Stubblefield: Seminary bound-Solid in Jesus!

Karlee Baumann: Totally healed and delivered- What blessing she is. A winner now!!

Alan Sell: Will serve the Lord in power. Clouds dissapearing- Anointed!!

Lucas Rocheleau: A new creature in Christ-He has a powerful future

Katie Freeland: Will preach in power - Her daddy will have to sit and let her pray!!

Jerrod Reader: The miracle of this trip! Found Jesus!!Found Jesus!! DELIVERED!!!!!

Nathan Dickens: Will become a Methodist Bishop-full of power and glory!!!

Kelly Quartemann: Angels take care of her! A cut on her arm did more good and anything! Has a new future!!

Rick Bonfim

Edited by Betty McKinney

Last night our group went into one of the most dangerous “favelas” in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The service was in a small Methodist Church and as we prayed and worshipped the Lord a thought came into my mind that literally caused me to be filled with fear. The thought was, “Send them into the streets and bring to lost to Me.” For a moment I doubted and questioned the validity of having American youth walking the some of the most dangerous streets of Rio de Janeiro.

When I told them, “Go out to the street and bring the lost to Jesus,” not only our students but the entire congregation emptied the church in less than five seconds. They all disappeared out of building into the dangerous streets. In the following 10 minutes my heart pounded in my chest. I thought about leaving the pulpit to go and find out what was happening out there when dozens of young people, many of them armed with guns, began to come into the church to the altar area and kneel before the cross.

A jolt of energy hit my veins and I began to pray for each of them, so loud that the neighbors began to come to their windows and remained there, watching. Some of them pointed to someone they knew who was kneeling at the foot of the cross.

Alan Sell prayed for a young man who was one of the main leaders of the drug rings, as the young man cried out of control before God. Karlee Baumann prayed for an elderly man who had his hands lifted into the air. Zach Stubblefield knelt down to pray for several young men who were under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Jordan Kinsey cried over a little girl while Joey Hendrickson prayed so loud that I could hear him from the other side of the room. Gabby Matthews began to dance with little girls. Cali Ware was praying with a tall blonde lady dressed in black who had lost a baby and wanted another one.

Lucas Rocheleau had several young man kneeling before the cross, praying for them one after another. Katie Freeland was in tears walking around, praying. Jerrod Reader was praying for the children. Phillip Wages was on the ground with a young man who was broken and in tears. Kelly Quarterman found a couple of girls and prayed with power. Nathan Dickens cried out over several of those with guns.

For a moment my heart went to the parents of these young people and all I thought was, “I wish my own were here to be a part of this.” The air was filled with a mist that covered us all. All I could see was a white glare as if glory was shining everywhere. Many wept openly, others sat with their heads down. This happened last night before my God.

God, I ask You to send this same fire to Athens, Georgia in our meeting of August 23-25 at the Civic Center. Send a glory like the one which came to Marechal Deodoro, Brazil last night and shake the whole city. God, save the lost, heal the sick, wake those who are apathetic to the gospel. God, fill the pastors who are coming in need of power for ministry. God, pour upon us on August 23-25. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Rick Bonfim

Edited by B. Mckinney

I am in Brazil discipling a group of students during the month of June. It is hard work, since their demands are so high. It is not that they are “high maintenance;” it is that they are so tuned to God. You have no excuse but to catch up to where they are and join the race toward God. When these young people pray for others, they pray with heart.