Commemorating
70
Years of
Training Brazilian Leaders
By Gwen Pinkerton , Former Brazil Missionary , OMS Global Finance Team
Seventy years of anything is a significant milestone but even more so for a seminary . The first OMS missionaries arrived in Brazil in 1950 , but it was not until 1954 that Londrina Bible Institute and Seminary ( ISBL ) was born .
The need to train leaders and offer students ministry opportunities became evident as the urgency to spread the Gospel throughout the country grew .
Though the original plan for the seminary location was Maringa , God moved , and a strategically located property in Londrina became available to OMS at a low price . ISBL , the hub of OMS work in Brazil , opened there . The goal of the seminary was to prepare leaders , men and women of God , who would be equipped to teach the Word and have ministries in churches and society . This purpose remains .
Over the years , several presidents , both OMS missionaries and Brazilians , have led the school . Carlos Olivera serves as the current president .
Before attending ISBL and becoming president , Carlos was in a rock band and wanted nothing to do with the church . He was satisfied with his partying life . He even made fun of his parents for being “ religious .” Soon , however , he found his lifestyle empty . So , Carlos signed up for a Basic Truths class at church but often showed up half-asleep due to partying late the night before . Leaders invited Carlos to attend a youth camp , and it was there in February 1989 that Carlos accepted Jesus
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