Voices from the Field Brandon & Marci Jones Get to know Brandon & Marci

Commencement

Published on May 14, 2025

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Brandon giving the seminary graduates a charge from the Bible.

In Brazil, New Year’s Day is still January 1, but the year doesn’t really begin until after Carnival, which included some new beginnings for us. In early February, we celebrated the graduation of the last three students from the Pastoral Formation program of the seminary in Porto Alegre. These ceremonies are often called a commencement because while they celebrate the end of one journey—education—they also recognize a new beginning as one is now more prepared for their next steps.

Brandon’s class at STBISUL.

In March, Brandon had another new beginning by teaching his first class with a new partner to our mission, the Independent Baptist Theological Seminary of the South (STBISUL). Their campus is in the metro region of Porto Alegre and has students preparing to serve as pastors, leaders, church planters, and missionaries. It has been a joy to get to know these new students, as well as the leaders and staff at the seminary. Our mission continues to look for ways to grow this new partnership by incorporating Kairos Brasil into their graduate-level programs and helping start a satellite campus on the border between our state in Brazil and Uruguay. This will help train church planters and leaders in both countries in the region, which is among the least reached in all South America.

A Venezuelan refugee mom with her baby, receiving their gift.

One of the students at STBISUL, Tania, works with Venezuelan refugees in one of the poorest neighborhoods of our area. As Marci and our partner, Lyndell, got to know Tania, they were invited to join her for a Bible study in the neighborhood. Several young couples attended, many of whom brought their toddlers and babies as well, which prompted Marci to think of ways to come alongside and encourage them. The next week while shopping, Marci came across dozens of toys on clearance. Thinking of the Bible study, she bought as many as could fit in her car to give to the Venezuelan moms. Tania was pleased to report how much fun it was to hand them out!

Bible study with Venezuelan refugees.

In April, we joined the rest of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world in celebrating Easter. While there are several times a year when our church sets up a photo station for special events, it isn’t customary to do so for Easter. But being the North Americans that we are, after the worship service, our family took a selfie at home. Easter is always a highlight for us, as we have a special meal and play unique games, while our house is decorated for the occasion. In recent years, Monica and Olivia have taken over the decorations and the games, and it has been fun for Marci and Brandon to see them blossom in their creativity. Long after the games are over, we leave up the decorations that remind us every day that “He Is Risen!” And so we always have Christ in us, our hope of glory, who is constant whether we are in a season of storms, floods, or even new beginnings.

Bible study with Venezuelan refugees.

As always, we could not be doing what we do here without your partnership. Thanks for your prayers and your support.

Blessings,

Brandon & Marci Jones

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