Brazil WMU: As Zealous as the Apostles
In Acts, we see the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, committed to spreading the good news of the gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. They wanted to make Christ known and encourage hearers to become disciples who knew Him and wanted to be like Him.
Like the apostles, in June 1908, the Missionary Union of Baptist Ladies of Brazil was established to share Christ. The Missionary Union learned the most effective ways to evangelize and practice charity among the people. The organization expanded its reach to educate, support, and teach about the need for Christ and the importance of missions.
União Feminina Missionária Batista do Brasil (Brazil WMU) was formed to help others see the world through the lens of the Word of God, to promote spiritual growth and development, and to provide the support needed to face life challenges while following biblical truths.
Brazil WMU is as zealous as the apostles who witnessed Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. Crime, drug trafficking, and corruption don’t deter these believers from witnessing and sharing the gospel with those who live in darkness. With the growth of the evangelical movement within the past 30 years, the allegiance to God and His Word is strong — approximately 70 million evangelicals live among Brazil’s more than 210 million people.
Navigating Culture and Life Stages
Marli Gonzalez is an excellent example of the influence Brazil WMU has on young children who are taught to follow Christ and serve as missionaries within their people groups. “My journey with [Brazil WMU] started very early. I was nine years old when I began attending a missions [group], Girls in Action, for girls nine to 17. About that time, I made the decision to follow Jesus and [accepted] my missionary calling,” shared Marli, who grew to become the executive director of Brazil WMU.
Despite the influence of the gospel on Brazilians, Christian women suffer from the impact of a sexist culture, Marli explained. Some Brazilians question women in leadership positions. However, women’s ministry has experienced the most significant growth in the local church. Brazil WMU successfully reaches women for Christ by identifying four important life stages women experience and addressing their concerns and challenges. The four stages are Young, Singular, Mother, and Plena, meaning “complete.”
The Young group consists of single women developing as professionals and beginning to position themselves in society. They need a solid Christian foundation to shine Jesus’ light. The Singular group is for single, widowed, or divorced women and women who don’t have children or who have adult children. Women in the Mother stage are first-time mothers and mothers of young children and teenagers. The Plena group includes senior or older women. Each group receives encouragement, training, and assistance as the women face challenges and serve as missionaries to their people groups.
Connecting Women through Technology and Publications
Marli is passionate about missions and evangelizing. Her spiritual and intellectual growth has helped her move from a limited understanding of Christ on the cross to understanding and experiencing the joy of God’s grace, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. She enthusiastically shares the gospel whenever the opportunity arises.
After speaking and participating in various Brazil WMU and denominational events and venues, she never hesitates to bond with women who attend the events, and she willingly disciples and walks alongside them after the events have ended.
“As the executive director [of Brazil WMU], I … visit the regional organizations and provide training and [teaching] in local [churches alongside] … the national leadership team. We also interact using a digital format through the Christian Women Today Club. Members of this club connect through video call meetings, [communication] through social media, and live events. We have literature published each trimester to make Christian missionary education available to different age groups,” Marli added.
The organization has a live radio program addressing topics women face in their daily lives and in ministry. In addition, Brazil WMU publishes internet-based training, quarterly studies, articles, programs, and books, as well as an annual devotional, The Spring.
“My mother read The Spring to us during our family worship time each night when I was a child. I am 72 years old now,” Dione Vasconcelos, former interim executive assistant of Baptist World Alliance Women’s Department, explained.
Brazil WMU’s involvement in the evangelical movement has remained influential despite the challenges of the pandemic. Its greatest challenge has been financial. As such, Marli resigned from her position to reduce the financial burden on the organization but continues to work in the background and encourage the women of Brazil WMU. The organization presses forward to exalt the word of the Lord as it helps people face economic and spiritual crises.
Marli’s single prayer request is for a revival among Brazil’s women. She and all the women of Brazil WMU are as passionate as the apostles about spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Audrey Hector is a retired mental health therapist and engineer. She is a freelance writer and author of Forgiving the Unforgivable and Counting My Blessings. As a conference speaker and life coach, she inspires others to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Audrey resides in Texas.
