Gustavo grew up knowing about God, but it wasn’t until he attended a Seventh-day Adventist school that faith became real. Through mission and service, he discovered a personal friendship with Jesus that changed his life.
Gustavo knew all the right answers about God. Growing up in a Christian home, he attended church weekly and could recite Bible verses from memory. Yet, faith felt distant—something he understood intellectually but not personally.
This changed when he enrolled at a Seventh-day Adventist high school in Northeastern Brazil.
“Even before I came, I didn’t want to come. My mom kind of forced me… But later I understood that she knew what was best for me.”
Here, faith isn’t confined to the classroom, it’s actively lived out. The school emphasizes a missional spirit, encouraging students to engage in various outreach programs. Through beach cleanups, health fairs, and community service projects, students experience the joy of serving others.
Initially, Gustavo participated to fit in with his peers. However, as he served, he began to feel something new. God was no longer an abstract concept. He became real and present in Gustavo’s life.
“After participating in mission activities, I understood the purpose that God had for me. It was something I never imagined I’d do in life, to be involved in mission.”
Now, Gustavo is more than just a student. He leads Bible studies, shares his faith, and finds profound joy in serving others.
Although the school is equipped with resources to get students involved, there’s still a significant challenge. The school lacks a dedicated church b uilding, forcing worship services into inadequate spaces that can’t accommodate all students, let alone the broader community.
This 13th Sabbath, you can help transform this situation. Your offering will contribute to building a new church—a sanctuary where students like Gustavo can worship, grow, and invite others to experience Jesus.
When students meet Jesus, their lives change, just as Gustavo’s did. Gustavo’s perspective changed from God as a distant God, to being much more than that.
“After I learned more about the mission, I understood that [00:13:54.08] He wasn't just that. He was a friend, I had someone to talk to. It's much more of a relationship, or friendship.”
Thank you for your 13th Sabbath Offering. Together, we can build a place of worship in Brazil.
