A pioneering prayer walk
How one church found mission support goes both ways
Photo: Brazilian mission partners Marcio (third from left, speaking) and Noemi (first from right, back row) lead a prayer walk for a supporting church
Last October, mission partners Marcio Ciechanovicz and Noemi Celeti, who connect with people beyond the reach of traditional church in Brazil, visited one of their supporting churches for the first time – and the congregation really made the most of the visit.
By Chloe, church advocate
We had the pleasure of a visit from Marcio and Noemi and their family at our church – we started supporting them about 18 months ago and this was the first time we’d met in person.
It was a fantastic visit! It was inspiring to hear about their work: to see their wisdom and approach, but also how completely down to earth they are too.
As well as having them share in our service, we used the opportunity to inject some of their ‘pioneering’ spirit into our congregation.
After the service on Sunday, and lunch together, we asked Marcio and Noemi to lead us on a walk of prayer and discernment round our local park, learning from the time they had taken to do this in Brazil.
We made three stops at which Marcio and Noemi shared teaching on three ‘D’s’ of mission: discernment (how to really observe a place and listen), disruption (asking how we need to do things differently) and delivery (how to make it happen).
I was particularly struck by the relevance of their approach in our area, where so many people are unlikely to ever walk into a church, so we need to think differently about how to take church to them.
The congregation members were transfixed, so I’m curious to see what seeds this visit has sown and what God may open up here!
It was a great encouragement, and helped us see how mission support relationships can bless in both directions.
