4,800 miles to share the Gospel Grace Baptist forges strong ties with community in Crato, Brazil By Ashley Harrington After almost 80 years of supporting and sending missionaries to Brazil, Grace Baptist Church members decided to take a chance and finally travel there themselves. At first, it was a chance for the Austin church members to follow the biblical call to help one another. “We really are Bible believing, and it says to go out and reach people in any way you possibly can,” said Grace member Bill Holder. A 10-person group took a mission trip to Crato, Brazil, from June 16 to 30, 2016, with the main goal of service, but it also looked to learn from the trip, said Clint Phillips, the mission trip’s coordinator. “Sometimes we get a very closed-off mindset, not intentionally, but we get wrapped up in our own community,” he said. “Doing this, going to another place, helps you see a bigger picture.” The group had plans to make the trip a year earlier, in summer 2015, but their trip was halted after their visas didn’t
come in time. So, members found themselves with an extra year to fundraise and prepare. “We sent out letters and asked for support,” said Alexa Wood, who traveled to Brazil with the group. “Each of us took a Sunday and went up to the whole church talking about why we wanted to go.” After some willful planning, the group of 10 set out for Crato, Brazil. “We took anyone that was willing to come. All they needed was a passport and a visa,” Clint said. In Brazil, they found a familiar face. Julie Leonard, an Austin native, was a member of the Grace Baptist Church before moving to Brazil to become a missionary after graduating from college. She and her husband, Jim, are missionaries in Brazil. They have worked to spread the Gospel and offer worship for almost 30 years. With Grace and Brazil’s close ties, Julie and Jim housed and took care of the Grace members during the trip. The group set out to share the Gospel,
A group from Grace Baptist Church visited Brazil last June. Pictured, from left, in back row are: Clint Phillips, Nick Berthiaume, Dave Holder, Alexa Wood and Bill Holder. Pictured in the front row are: Nikki Phillips, Vicki Bjork, Gail Kawamura, Alayna Wood and Helen Holder. Photo provided
Austin Daily Herald
64 Progress 2017