Marcio Ciechanovicz and Noemi Celeti, Brazil
Connecting with people beyond the reach of traditional church, sharing the gospel in new ways and ministering to people’s physical needs
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From the outside, Brazil seems like a country full of Christians, but this hides a reality of many people being beyond the reach of established churches. We are passionate about seeing people meet Jesus, even in unlikely places.
We are both originally from Brazil, and believe God called us to go back to our home country to use our gifts, background and passion to share the gospel. We have settled in the state of São Paulo, near a rapidly growing area called Indaiatuba. At the heart of the city is a 15km-long park where lots of people spend time socialising, playing sports and attending cultural events. We aim to be Jesus’ presence there among young adults and families who don’t yet know that Jesus is for them.
We are leading a project in partnership with the city’s secretary of sports, developing sports activities as a way of showing God’s love in word and deed to local families using the facilities in the park.
We are also in conversation with a Christian organisation about working together to reach out to and empower families in a disadvantaged area of Indaiatuba called Tancredo. Noemi wants to use her background in nutrition and healthcare skills and Marcio his passion for the young adults to serve the community in different ways.
We would like to see a new community being formed, where people who are beyond the reach of traditional church find meaningful relationships, discover spirituality, and where students, young adults and families engage with God’s love and his salvation plan.
Our story
Marcio became a Christian in São Paulo when he was a teenager. Noemi, the daughter of missionaries, grew up in Senegal, West Africa, and always knew she wanted to serve God. She has long wanted to use her nutrition qualifications to help people have a better life physically as well as spiritually and loves ministering to people over meals, like Jesus did.
Marcio’s upbringing was coloured by his father’s alcoholism, but after a period of healing in his teens, God placed in his heart a strong desire to shepherd and share the gospel with young people and young adults.
Marcio has now been involved in ministry with young people in Brazil, Italy and the UK for a total of 25 years.
Now he is excited that God is using him to reach people with the gospel in his home country again.
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We are working with CMS to bring hope where people have given up on God and the church
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