GC President Visits Mission Projects and Inaugurates Major Church in Brazil

As part of the activities of his visit to the South American Division (SAD), Ted N. C. Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, visited Manaus, capital of the Amazonas State in Brazil, on February 7-8. The visiting team also included Stanley Arco, SAD president, and other leaders, who first stopped at the Northwest Missions Institute, founded in 2007.

In the Northwest Brazil Union (UNoB), which includes the states of Acre, Rondônia, Amazonas, and Roraima, Wilson visited the premises of The Sailing Church, an initiative that has brought hope to isolated communities. Thanks to the work carried out by that ministry, 27 churches have been built and more than 1,400 people baptized since it was launched in 2017.

During the special program at the mission base, leaders enjoyed a presentation of the institute’s projects and volunteers for 2025 who are already participating in the Immersion Project. The project includes cross-cultural training to help them better understand other cultures before missionary deployment.

In his message to them, Wilson thanked the volunteers on behalf of the nearly 23 million Adventists around the world. “Thank you for allowing God to use each of you and for being part of the mission here in the northwest [of Brazil], because Jesus is coming soon,” he said.

Currently the institute manages the Luzeiro speedboats, the Amazon Lifesaving Missions project and 1 for Christ, in addition to supporting the One Year in Mission project and The Sailing Church.

“We need an incentive for young people to participate in mission schools like this. Our dream is that in each region we may have a mission school like this,” said Arco.

On Saturday, February 8, leaders inaugurated the Espaço Alpha Adventist Church, which was founded in 2011 by about 15 families. Located in one of the best areas in Manaus, it was planned to reach people from the community, offering services based on the eight natural remedies as part of an evangelism initiative.

With a focus on serving God and the local community, the church also excels in the missionary area, small groups, and various ministries. There are currently 37 small active groups, four of which are specifically geared for children. With this vision, Espaço Alpha seeks to be a community of love, relevant in the transformation of lives, which is why it carries in its description the approach “A place to be happy,” local church leaders said. “As a center of influence, this church will bless the residents of this neighborhood,” said Sergio Alan Caxeta, Northwest Brazil Union Mission president.

Together in Mission

Pedro Araújo, 11, has suffered since childhood with a rare disease that causes stiffness in his joints. Known as arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, the disease does not allow him to walk, as it causes stiffness in the hip, knees, and feet. For months the mother, Bianca Araújo, had been praying for a new wheelchair for her son, since hers was rusty, with flat tires and low mobility, making the vehicle too heavy for the boy to get around. It was under these circumstances that Bianca received a call from a friend, telling her about a project that would donate new wheelchairs to children with physical disabilities.

“This chair was a gift. An answer to prayer that came at the right time. Pedro’s school starts this coming Monday, and now, attending school will be easier for him. I don’t have words to thank you,” she said.

Like Pedro, 19 more low-income boys and girls were presented with new wheelchairs on Saturday during the Together in Mission program, an event that brought together about 8,000 members and visitors to Manaus.

The Wilsons and their children are the founders of the James Wilson Wright International Needful Children and Family Fund, which in partnership with the Adventist Ministry of Possibilities (MAP), chose the city of Manaus to donate 20 wheelchairs.

The project came about after the loss of the couple’s grandson, James Wilson Wright, after whom the foundation is named. “I believe that God has a purpose for every child on this earth. Our James was a gift to our family, but unfortunately, he was born with an incurable disease and was almost 8 years old when he slept in the Lord. This was the way my daughter and her husband found for James’ life to keep making sense,” Nancy Wilson told the audience as she handed over the new chairs.

“It thrills me to see children being served with this project,” Arco said. “We are very grateful for this.”

The event also featured baptisms, moments of praise, and thanksgiving. It also included the introduction of church projects for the region. “Our goal is to thank God for the accomplishments and help members understand what we are going to do from now on, focusing mainly on spiritual gifts and the mission to save,” Caxeta said.

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.