Jesus to the Children - Missionary Néia
Neiá - My Calling
At the age of 17 I participated in the JUVEP Project Missionary. This JUVEP experience was very special. After this, I felt the call for missions in my heart and a love for the children. Then I wanted to Take Jesus to the Children. My missionary call to bring children the knowledge of Christ is a gift from God! It is my life investment. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to share about Jesus. Additionally, I am grateful to see children growing up in the word and then teaching the word to others.
So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18: 14 ESV
Why is Taking Jesus to the Children a Priority?
Catholicism is very strong and traditional in the Sertão. Children are influenced by the religious tradition of their parents, and this creates a resistance to evangelism.
Parents, however, are very open to allowing their children to participate in programs sponsored by evangelical missionaries. Thus, the gospel can be presented to the next generation. Children can keep the truth in their hearts until they are free as adults to be a servant of Jesus by following His Word.
Religion in the Sertão
The people of the Sertão are nominally Catholic. But, this is not like Catholic in the United States. First, the concept of Catholic is embedded in the culture. This is especially true in the many small towns of the Sertão. The Catholic church may host many events – like Bingo – that become part of the life in the city. Thus, the religious elements are almost incidental to the church experience.
Maybe even worse, the Catholic church of Brazil is very compromised. This is called syncretism, where everything goes and gets mixed into something not quite recognizable by anyone. A bit of African mysticism, traditional practices, a lot of idol worship and Mary. Jesus is there somewhere as are gobs of saints. People can pray to any of them. The concept of Jesus as savior isn’t there.
Priests will instruct people NOT to attend any Bible study and NOT use the Bible provided by the evangelical church. So Taking Jesus to the Children can reach the next generation. Sometimes, the children will evangelize their parents!
Néia - My History
My experience with Jesus is the certainty of salvation, growth and walking with Christ through his word. My parents invested in the teaching of the word in my life. I accepted Jesus as a child. As a teenager I understood the missionary call for my life. Today I take Jesus to the Children. This means I am a Christian educator with specialization in child leadership. I support missionaries in the field. Also, I train and equip people to evangelize children in the Brazilian Sertão and across the world.
Specific Ministerial Direction to Neia
I am a full-time JUVEP Missionary bringing Jesus to the Children. My missionary calling is education and evangelism for children, I also do training for child evangelists and missionary support in the field.
Mission Preparation
- Degree in Christian Education from Juvep Mission Theological Seminary in 1997, João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
- Specialization in Child Leadership for Latin America by the Apen / Apec Interactional Institute in 2006, São Paulo, Brazil (three month program).
- Language and Culture Course (six month program) by Conexion Training 2017, Lawrenceville – GA
My Passion
Taking Jesus to the Children!
What Do I Do to Take Jesus to the Children?
I develop and train church leaders, teachers, and families to work effectively in early Christian education.
Specific Objectives
- Provide leadership training in early childhood Christian education through courses, workshops, and seminars on a variety of topics;
- Contribute to strategies for evangelization and education of children;
- Sensitize leaders, teachers and parents to the importance of discipleship and spiritual accompaniment of children.
- Promote lectures and seminars for families with specific themes.
I develop, organize, and conduct courses, workshops, and seminars. They are designed to meet the needs and expectations of the church. I lead participants through a thought-action process that transforms their lives and equips them for effective ministry in early Christian education.
Needs to help Take Jesus to the Children
- Intercessors to bring regular prayer support.
- Supporter who will monitor my work and share prayer needs with others.
- Partners in activities that will help spread the good news in the ministry the Lord has directed.
- Regular supporters who through their finances can commit to maintaining necessary travel and materials expenses
- Please help me bring Jesus and transformation to the children of the Sertão.
How to Support Neia's work bringing Jesus to the Children
Donations of $10,000 or more can establish new preschools in the Sertão. These are volunteer led.
They are very successful equipping the children for a better life. Call for information.
There is much spiritual opposition here. There is no persecution, but Satan has a strong hold on these lost people. Please pray for God to soften hearts and especially open many hearts among the children to hear and believe in Jesus. In addition, specifically:
- Pray for the willingness of people to serve in this ministry;
- Pray for our work team; and
- Pray for provision of travel expenses.
It would be wonderful to be able to more effectively serve to “Train the Trainers.” Where people in the Sertão share my passion for the children, they could do so much more if they had the resources – like program materials – so they could afford to do programs. Specifically, with a larger amount, more teacher training, an expanded puppet and craft workshop for children and additional evangelistic strategies for children of the Sertão. The opportunities are abundant, but the ability to do the work is so limited.