Missionaries to the Indigenous!
Video from Leo
Welcoming the Rock family back to their “home” in Brazil.
Missionaries to the Indigenous in Brazil
The Mission Challenge - Indigenous
There are hundreds of Indian tribes living in Brazil. Many do not know Jesus. Some are considered unreached peoples, where Christ is unknown. To help this cause, we will be working under the leadership of JUVEP in the Northeast region of Brazil. Our mission is to contribute to the evangelization of the indigenous unreached peoples. In doing this, we have the vision to serve God in various ways. This includes participating in the ministry of evangelization and church planting. It also includes training and equipping the local leadership among the less evangelized..
About Carnaubeira da Penha, Brazil
Carnaubeira da Penha is a community about eight hours inland from the Brazilian Atlantic Coast. This is far enough to put it deep into the Brazilian Sertão, the vast arid region that is little reached for Christ. It is remote in nearly every sense of the word.
The area is home of dozens of Indian tribes. Reaching these “Indigenous” peoples for Jesus is a priority. Long neglected, the people are quite poor. With so many Indian villages (or neighborhoods), the challenge of sharing the good news of Jesus is quite large. See the photos below.
Missionaries to the Indigenous
Bring the News of Jesus!
Missionaries to the Indigenous: Challenges
There are about 13,000 people in Carnaubeira da Penha. Imagine, 13,000 people who do not know Jesus as savior with one missionary! Leo and Deborah Rock are off to a good start, but the task is huge. More help is needed. Of course, the Sertão has ten million. Much to do!
13 “All who call out to the Lord will be saved. 14 How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? 15 And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news.”
Romans 10:13-15
Leo Rock and Debora Rock
Missionaries to the Indigenous - The Calling
We are called by the LORD to be missionaries. To our surprise, the LORD brought us back to our native land, the nation of Brazil. To serve the indigenous tribes there we will be working under the leadership of JUVEP in the Northeast region of Brazil. Our mission is to contribute to the evangelization of the indigenous unreached peoples with the vision to serve God in various ways: participating in the ministry of evangelization and church planting and also, training and equipping the local leadership among the less evangelized..
Our History
About Leo Rock
Always choose to trust Him – Leo is married to Debora and father of Joseph and John. He has ministered as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, worship leader, church audio director, and church seminary director. His calling for missions occurred in 2017 during a Sunday school class. That day, Leo heard the sweet voice of the Holy Spirit calling him to preach the gospel among the unreached. More than ever before, he could understand that missions was the answer to why Jesus saved us. It is Christ revealing Himself to us, so we can go and share with others about Him (John 3:16) through love, testimony, and relationship.
Leo's First Step in Missions
In 2017, he also served in Haiti on a short-term mission trip with WEC International where he participated in evangelism in the local villages and in leadership training with local leaders. He has been a member of Christ Community Church located in Peabody, Massachusetts since 2001, and joined WEC International in April 2020.
EDUCATION:
– Business Management Associates at North Shore Community
College – MA
– International Bible Institute, IBI – CA (4 years Biblical Studies)
– Advanced Biblical and Theological Studies with emphasis in
Missions at MTC Latino Americano – Brazil
About Debora Rock
Loving others to serve the Lord – Debora is married to Leonardo Rock and mother of Joseph and John. Her ministry experience includes teaching Sunday school, worship leading, evangelism, community outreach, serving as missions department coordinator, and participating in seasonal church plays and musicals. Debora’s love for the unreached goes way back. Since she was 5 years old, her mother worked in an evangelism and church planting ministry in Brazil. Growing up in a household where working to see God’s kingdom spread amongst the unreached people around the nearby villages was an integral part of everyday life, Debora developed a strong sense of calling to follow her mother’s path, hearing about the great commission and consequently devoting her life to it. She moved to the USA as a teenager and continued to serve the LORD at her sending church in Massachusetts.
Deborah's First Step in Missions
In 2017, she served in Haiti on a short-term mission trip with WEC
International where she participated together with local leaders in
evangelism at local villages and in counseling. She has been a member of Christ Community Church located in Peabody, Massachusetts since 2006, and joined WEC International in April 2020. She believes that sharing the Gospel is a privilege which includes the preaching of the Word of God and deeds so that God might be glorified.
EDUCATION:
– LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) at North Shore Community College – MA
– Biblical and Theological Studies with emphasis in Missions at
MTC Latino Americano – Brazil.
Our Passion - Reach the Indigenous
Missionaries to the Indigenous – Bring the good news of Jesus to the Indigenous people so they have the same hope in life and in eternity that we have.
Special Requsts for this Work
- Pray for God’s provision as we settle into our ministry;
- and that God has prepared us well for our calling.
- We need prayer warriors and supporters.
- For financial support from individuals, churches and others for:
– regular financial maintenance
– extra costs for supporting staff (including transportation)
– gifts to support ministry projects to disciple new believers
Budget Needs
Broader Mission Support
Mission JUVEP is making a strong push to promote spreading the good news of Jesus in Carnaubeira da Penha. This is the planned destination for the 2022 Missionary Project and for the special Radical Sertao program. Expenses that Americans might take for granted can be daunting. It can easily cost $400 just for gasoline to do one round trip from Mission JUVEP to Carnaubeira da Penha. Brazil is BIG! People cannot go because they cannot afford the gasoline. You can help.