While we were preparing for the missions field in 1970, someone challenged us to imitate Paul’s missionary strategy explained in 2 Timothy 2:2: Train leaders who will teach others. We made it our goal to raise up leaders who would outlast our ministry in Brazil.
Theological Education by Extension became the primary means by which we carried out this vision.
Most of our students had less than a primary school education. They were leading preaching points and mission churches and starting new churches.
As our ministry grew, God opened doors to plant churches among an unreached people group — the Brazilian upper class. God used us to plant six churches among that group.
We planted these churches without a building, led worship through praise teams, used small groups to grow the church and mobilized our church plants to plant others. We enjoyed the freedom to be innovative on the cutting edge of ministry.
Since 1974, we have trained church leaders from the jungles, semidesert areas and cities using Bible storytelling. We prepared and published materials that offer a comprehensive understanding of the Old and New Testaments. They give tools to evangelize, preach, teach and train church leaders using biblical narratives.
We are excited that our materials for children, youth and adults are being translated into Spanish. It has been a privilege to serve as Bible–storytelling consultant for Eastern South America, broadening our ministry to Uruguay and Paraguay as well.
Our greatest joy is leaving behind a legacy of Bible-storyteller trainers in South America. It is not enough to merely make an impact if there are not leaders left behind to carry on the legacy.
As we look toward the future, our dream is to continue investing in leaders and expand our ministry of Bible storytelling to the United States and other countries.
Jack and Doris Day
Eastern South America
December 1970–February 2003
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