When we left the mission I had an idea about the hardness of Capernaum, the unbelief of Bethsaida and the discovery in Caesarea Philippi.  When you hear Jesus our Lord talking about Capernaum and their unbelief, it’s scary, “If the miracles that had been performed in Capernaum had been performed in Sodom and Gomorrah, they would have repented. It will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment than for you, Capernaum” (Matthew 11).

How difficult is to deal with unbelief. Jesus Christ knew all about unbelief and how hard people could  become.

The church was filled tonight… and my preaching seemed to take me all over the Bible. After I finished telling about Capernaum, Bethsaida and Caesarea Phillipi, I talked about the church of the first century coming to formation at Pentecost and finally reaching the Gentile world in Caesarea-By-the-Sea at the house of  Cornelius. They needed to hear this message; I honestly did  not know why.

The altar opened and it rained. Tears, conviction of sin, surrendering, forgiveness, salvation all began to happen. The group took their time tonight and laid hands to pray without looking at the clock. It’s now midnight and we just got back to our rooms at the mission. Many were saved by grace, healed and restored by God. We had the floor of the altar filled with bodies laying everywhere. It looked like a catastrophe had happened.  It did. The saved and healed hit the floor and began to cry. One woman told me she was returning to Jesus after 10 years away. A young man wanted to be set free from pornography, another wanted to have mental healing. Another was crying to God for forgiveness of sins. What a night!

It took almost two hours of prayer in this church. I saw Jerrod Reader laying hands on a man and asking God for a blessing. I could hear Jerrod from 20 feet away. Nathan cried with many. Ben received an anointing to pray. Paco grabbed heads and began to pray out loud. Mary Green was all over the floor. Lord, what a wonderful night. Your presence came upon us and the joy of Holy Spirit took over the entire church. All the men were dressed in suits, the women dressed well. Our group were also dressed up with ties and looking happy. If Ann Wingate could see her son, Harry, towering over the heads passing by him and praying for all of them, she would yell, “Hallelluia!”

One more night to go and we are returning home. By the way, August 13-14-15 we will be at the CIVIC  CENTER IN ATHENS, GEORGIA F OR A THREE DAY CONFERENCE – Rekindle the Flame.  Come, the same thing that happened at this Brazilian church is going to happen there.  Jesus, our Lord will bless us abundantly. Hallelluia!

Rick Bonfim

Our group received an invitation from an Assembly of God church close by. In my heart I was apprehensive about how it would turn out. Most of our group are United Methodists from different parts of the country… visiting Brasil on a summer night, well, I had some fears..

We again got lost and tried to find our way into the winding streets of Manilha until a van passed by and motioned to us to follow them. We found the church. Filled with 300 souls seeking Jesus. The music was so loud I could not hear myself. I looked at our group and wondered in my mind… “What are we doing here…young, Methodists, far away from home, tired of working at the hill, hungry for God but weary and tired.

I heard a voice saying to me, “Make an invitation for salvation.” We had just arrived and even introductions were not made. I was suppose to sing a couple of songs and share some testimonies and then preach a word. Well, I made an invitation and the altar filled with people. What amazed me was that our group began to pray. Mary Green, 15 years old, began to lay hands and pray for salvation to come. The group caught on fire for God. Souls began to cry and reach to God with hunger.

In 20 minutes, heaven came down. In my mind, I was thinking, …”Here is a group of United Methodists ministering salvation to a Assembly of God church. My goodness, heaven is uniting us into one body! All of us are hungry for Jesus! All of us are crying to God for revival!!”

After 3 hours many were saved, healed and came to God. One woman said to me, “I am returning to God tonight!”

Pastor Nelcival received us with so much love. The after meal was delicious and joy filled the room. As we got back on the bus, the youth of the church surrounded the bus and were praising God for what had happened.

Thank you Lord, we United Methodists are being visited by your Holy Spirit! Hallelluia..Hallelluia…Hallelluia!!!!!

Rick Bonfim

In all my years of traveling and preaching, I have never been so aware of how much we need leaders. Young people will lead this nation and lead the church. The numbers of them around us and our ministry is something to pay attention to. What a joy to see them laying hands on the sick, praying in the Spirit, singing songs of praise, fasting 4 to 5 days, studying the scriptures and sitting under constant teaching that at times lasts 4 hours!

God is building a new generation of leaders filled with the Spirit of God to minister and to carry on the Kingdom. Nathan is an example. He is from Texas. Born in Hawaii, Nathan’s father is a Methodist minister in Texas. Nathan has call to serve the Lord full time. God has transformed him from a shy young man at 6′ feet and  300 pounds of power, to a power voice of healing who is blessing people every night. Blake’s father is Jewish and Blake has found Jesus Christ. You have to see him praying. People across the street can hear him saying, “In the Name of Jesus Christ, I set you free.” Jerod had all the opportunity to get away from Jesus. However, he has stood strong and matured and this pre-med student is an example to behold, a blessing to many.

You need to meet Jed.he is a future leader in the Kingdom of God who will change the lives of thousands. Anoited, hungry for the Word, and filled with the Spirit of God. Many will come to know Jesus through him.

We have in our ministry around 346 of these soldiers who are ready to enlist in the Army of God! Say Hallelluia!

Rick Bonfim