in an interdenominational caravan to the
Trans-Amazonian region of Brazil to explore possibilities of missionary work.
A number of the LBS students felt the
call to be missionaries in Brazil and in other
countries. Several served on the Operation
Mobilization ship, the Doulos, and LBS graduate Silvana and her husband worked with
OM in England. Other seminary students,
Solange and Adilson, are missionaries with
SIM in Kenya. Madalena Gomes taught and
discipled pastors and church leaders with
OMS in Mozambique. Even though many
young people and seminary students from
CONIM felt called as missionaries, there
was no way for them to be sent through the
denomination. So, they went with other organizations. CONIM thus lagged behind in
missionary participation and action.
Perhaps the first seeds planted for official
CONIM mission involvement began in the
At the request of the Mozambique field, a
team from Brazil, including OMS Brazil field
leader Micah Routon and Brazilian church
leaders Jacó and Sandro, visited to explore
partnership opportunities in Mozambique
between CONIM, OMS Mozambique, and
Palavra Viva (the OMS-related church in
Mozambique). In 2011, Jacó (CONIM president) invited OMS Mozambique missionary
Aimee Howarth to speak at the Annual
National Convention of the church. Her
Portuguese accent, stories, and typical
African dress won the hearts of the Brazilians.
In 2012, two Mozambique church leaders,
Daniel and Juca, were invited to the convention. They were accompanied by Paulo
Almeida, a Brazilian businessman who,
along with his