Amazon Pastor’s Conference 2025

I’m writing this from the Azul Airline flight home from our annual Pastor’s Conference in the Amazon jungle. Sixteen years ago, we started a nonprofit called, Justice and Mercy International. We were working in this country of Moldova with orphan and vulnerable children, but little did we know that God would also call us to the work of ministry in the Amazon jungle. Twelve years ago, was the first Justice & Mercy International Pastor’s Conference with 26 pastors. This past week we had 135 pastors and wives! And, this is just the first of three conferences for the year. Wow! All glory to our great God.

These jungle pastors come from all over the state of Amazonas. Some travel four to five days by boat and canoes to attend. God blessed us with a large conference center on the River about three hours from Manaus, Brazil. The pastors sleep in hammocks on two large boats and walk up a hundred stairs in the morning to attend five days of training. We have our pastors teach, counselors to counsel, and others to lead special trainings as we serve these godly servants of Christ. We serve them three meals a day and also teach from 8am to 10pm each day. We fell “poured out,” but overwhelming full in this incredible, God-anointed time.

By God’s grace, we now have an incredible team of Justice and Mercy Amazon staff under the leadership of Sarah and Magno Rodrigues. These amazing servants work year-round to prepare for our Pastor’s Conferences as well as to minister to the now over 1,200 pastors and wives throughout the year. The goal is to share the Good News of Jesus to the ends of the earth and to minister to villages all throughout the Amazon jungle. With offices in Manaus, they coordinate trainings, mission trips, medical and dentistry assistance, food bags and more for hundreds of villages with the help of over 400 Brazilian volunteers.

And, what a difference our God is making in the lives of these pastors. Here are a few soundbites from the week:

• “Before the conference last year, we had no children in the church. Now, because of what we have learned here last year, we now have over 70 children.”

• “Last year, God prompted our hearts to have some people from our own church do a mission trip. We’ve now gone to 15 unreached villages.”

• “For me and my wife, this is our first “vacation” in 16 years of ministry.”

• Another pastor, “I came to the conference this year ready to quit the ministry, but I am returning with new life in the power of Jesus.”

• A pastor and his wife who were planning on divorcing now reconciling and committed to working on their marriage and ministry together.

• A pastor’s wife said, “I don’t want to do things for Jesus, but with Jesus. He is sufficient.”

• Stories of the dead being raised to life and Jesus conquering evil spirits.

• Many saying, “I came this year feeling like my balloon was empty, but now I’m filled up.”

• Story after story of God’s goodness, grace and redemption. Truly life-change in Christ.

Like dropping a big rock in a pond, you watch the ripples of what God is doing. These pastors go back and take Jesus to their marriages, families, churches and villages. Countless lives are impacted for Christ, and we pray, all will hear of the saving grace of Jesus. Praise God! Pray for these pastors and their wives as they return to their families and communities. Pray they continue to feel God’s encouragement, and then that they will pour out His love to their family, churches and villages. Pray God will use them to reach the entire Amazon for Christ. And, pray for each of us. The fact is, God has called us all to live on mission. Our mission field looks different than theirs, but we are still called to share the Good News of Jesus with our family and community.

Going on any mission trip is such an encouragement for me because I am reminded of how blessed I am (especially hearing and seeing the challenges these pastors face every day), but also how passionate they are for Jesus. May our God use us where we are, and one amazing day in the future we will all be together for eternity because of His mercy and grace. Until that day comes, let’s live every day on mission. Let’s be poured out for Christ in serving others and sharing His Good News. And, let’s be the rock that God drops in the pond and see the ripples of Christ in our own families, church and communities. May our God find us faithful.