The Baptist Convention of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, is planning two evangelistic and church planting initiatives across the state in the next two years.
Students attached to the BMS-supported Natal's Potiguar Baptist Theological Seminary have a crucial role to play as they will share Jesus amongst people in one of the least evangelised states in the country.
BMS worker John Dyer, director of the seminary, says, "Next January, we shall be focusing on five towns and in July 2008, a further initiative is planned involving the National Missions Board. This will focus on 12 towns where there is either no Baptist, or evangelical witness at present."
He adds, "The Baptist presence is still relatively small, though the number of Baptist congregations is growing faster than at any time during the past 100 years."
As well as the main seminary in Natal, there are also three growing extensions that started two years ago in strategic locations: Mossoró, the state's second largest town, Caicó in the central south and Pau dos Ferros in the far west. These effectively serve as regional centres for churches in the surrounding countryside.
"Altogether, 18 churches on the sertão - the arid interior of the state - enjoy the ministry of our extension students," says John. "At present we have 40 students on the extension programme of which 25 study in Mossoró."
In recent months, some students in Natal have joined teams going to a new church plant called João Câmara, whilst others have spent a weekend or summer vacation helping congregations in Santa Cruz and Rio do Fogo.
John feels blessed by his role and delights in the growth of individual students, in the seminary and its extension centres.
"The seminary is a great encouragement to us. Everyone enjoys the atmosphere and it is such a privilege to share in the training of Brazil's next generation of evangelical leaders."