by David McKinney
JOAO PESSOA, Brazil (BNc)- One of our co-workers in the church in Joao Pessoa, Raniere Menezes, started an English major in the Federal University and 80% of his classes are in English. He had the idea of finding an empty room at lunch time on Fridays and starting a Bible class in English for his classmates.
So we started with an introductory class, during which we asked how many had ever read the Bible before. Out of eight students only two said yes.
The classes have been going on for a month, and we have had the chance to talk about the life of Christ in English to a total of 19 different students. Some have attended just one class.
One of the girls made it a point to tell me on the first day she was neither Catholic nor Protestant. It is nice that she is one who has never missed a day.
There is also a guy named Elvis. He said that his name made his life a little complicated at first, but now he was used to it. I sang “you ain’t nothin but a hound dog” to him. I just could not resist. It was ok, I guess, he came back the next week.
Speaking of the Federal University
I am still taking a couple of Psychology courses at the Federal University, which is nice because they are free of charge. I got up this week to give a seminar on vocational orientation interviews. After I finished, a classmate came up to me and said that I sounded just like John Paul II, the recently deceased pope.
I tried really hard to understand her comment as a compliment, but the more I thought about that elderly man with a hunched back, mumbling in Latin, I felt that my Portuguese and my presentation must not have been too impressive. I thanked her and told her I was a preacher of the Word. She just smiled.
The Original Bible Club
The first Bible Club started at a local English school. Taught by my brother Joseph, and going into its third year, Bible Club’s first class of 2008 was last Monday and had nine students (see photo). Since its beginning, four people have been converted through this work.
Please pray for fruitful results from Bible Club.
2012-09-15 at 8:30 am
hi, I was searching on the net for a bible club so I can join it and I found this post. I was wondering if this club still exists here in Joao pessoa. And if it does, how can I get in touch with this Joseph you mentioned?!
2012-09-15 at 12:27 pm
We have forwarded your request to him. Thanks for your contact.