Bringing the Gospel to the Ciganos of Brazil
Maria Reaches the Ciganos -->
About Brazil's Cigano Peoples
Bringing the gospel to the Ciganos. In the English speaking world, the Cigano people are known as Gypsies. Ciganos in Brazil form insular communities living in the shadow of larger Brazilian cities, and tend to be poor. Because of their insularity, Cigano communities embrace a culture different than the people in the cities they live next to. Ciganos have a reputation in Brazil of a terrible work ethic and of being thieves, leading to Brazilian companies being reluctant to hire them. Therefore, non-traditional ways of making money are extremely common in Cigano communities. Older women may give palm readings, and young women turn to prostitution. Men may turn to panhandling, or selling drugs. If police attempt to put a stop to criminal behavior, the community comes together to protect each other. Many Cigano families receive a small amount of financial assistance from the federal Brazilian government.
The close-knit nature of these Cigano communities tend to take care of each other, leading to the concept of a personal God like Jesus Christ as foreign. Embracing a God personal to one’s self and taking personal responsibility for sin is a strange concept to a Cigano. In addition, an attempt to put Jesus’ laws above the ethics of the Cigano community can be seen as a betrayal. Evangelism of these communities is very difficult.
Vision for Evangelism to the Northeastern Brazilian Ciganos
Accepting the notion of personal responsibility can be a barrier to the gospel. This is true when the sense of community over personal responsibility is the dominant ethic. In this environment, introducing an alternative worldview is essential.
Of course, a mutually supportive Christian community is the end goal. But the Christian community is mutually supportive before God. They seek for the community to live life in a more God-glorifying fashion. Taking the gospel to the Ciganos is a Godly challenge
More about Bringing the Gospel to the Ciganos
Reaching the Ciganos
The older populations can be very difficult to reach, but the children are much more accessible. Special events for children will draw a large crowd. Each gathering presents an opportunity to share a Christian worldview and the good news of Jesus. Seeds can be planted in young people that can grow into a recognition of the need for a savior. Over time, the community can change.
Of course, it is Jesus who saves. There is no obstacle that Jesus cannot overcome. So, adults too can change and embrace Jesus. Having an evangelistic worker serving the Ciganos ensures that those who are called by the Lord can respond.
Future Work to Evangelize Brazil's Ciganos
- Engage directly with community leaders, creating an opening for evangelistic outreach.
- Train up Cigano leaders to be pastors, lay leaders and evangelists.
- With a core of believers, form new "house churches" with the goal to expand into full churches.
- Provide support for the new churches and church leaders, doctrinally, financially and with training resources.
- Teach the new churches to embrace spreading the Gospel as a core responsibility.
How to Support Evangelism to the Ciganos
There are few people with the calling to assume the challenge of evangelizing the Ciganos. They are an especially difficult group to reach. There are few churches in Brazil with the ability or desire to support those few people. So, not only is there a shortage of passionate workers, but there is a lack of funds to sustain the workers that are willing to serve. If you give to this tough work, you will both enable and highly encourage a local evangelical worker.
Prayer can overcome all barriers to sharing Jesus with the Ciganos so they can know the truth. These people are very lost in a worldview that does not understand Jesus as their savior. Your prayers can be a vital link empowering success with this work.