Network of Portuguese Speaking Churches

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Greetings!

My name is Renato Bernardes and I am the Network of Portuguese Speaking Churches Coordinator. In this capacity, my primary responsibility is to initiate and oversee the planting and nurturing of Portuguese speaking PCA churches in the US. Please allow me to tell you about our recent activities as well as give you a little background on this ministry.

Through evangelism, the PCA is committed to
reaching the multitudes in North America for Jesus
Christ, and Portuguese-speaking people comprise
a key segment of this great number. A growing
population of Brazilians has been immigrating
to the US in recent years. At first concentrated in
the Northeastern US, this vibrant community has
spread along the Atlantic Coast of the United States.
Estimates indicate that South Florida houses a larger
group, followed by Greater Boston and New York
Metropolitan areas.

We have chosen the name “Portuguese Speaking
Churches” (instead of “Brazilian Churches”) with
the objective of including the existing Brazilian
churches as well as the future churches that will
represent the Community of Portuguese Speaking
Countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-
Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and
Príncipe, and East Timor.

Today, there are twelve churches and missions in
the PCA that hold regular Sunday services in the
Portuguese language.

Objectives:

• To strengthen the bonds between the pastors and
  the churches who hold services in the Portuguese
  language in the PCA, uniting the pastors and
  motivating the churches already established
  (members and sessions)—with the objective of
  expanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ in words
  and in action.
• To combine resources and qualified people
  with the same vision of planting new churches
  in different areas of the United States and
  Canada where there are strong communities of
  Portuguese speaking immigrants.
• To become a strong presence and influence
  among the PCA pastors, elders, and churches,
  not only within local presbyteries but in
  our denomination.

Biographical Sketch
My wife Claudia and I came to the United States in 1973. After earning degrees from Montclair State College and Princeton Theological Seminary, I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA in 1985 and joined the PCA in 1989. That same year, I began serving as assistant pastor of Comunidade Crista Presbiteriana in Newark, New Jersey and in 1994, I became senior pastor of this church, where I continue to serve today. My leadership of the MNA Network of Portuguese Speaking Churches began in 2003.

We Invite Your Participation
Please join with us in praying that many people will find hope in Jesus Christ and that lives will be changed through this ministry. Pray that a growing number of Brazilians and Portuguese speaking people will be called to serve as PCA leaders. We ask that you prayerfully consider participating with us through your financial support. You can make a tax-deductible contribution to this ministry online. You can also mail contributions, made payable to Mission to North America, to:

Mission to North America
1700 North Brown Rd., Suite 101
Lawrenceville, GA 30043-8122
Designate: Network of Portuguese Speaking Churches


For additional information, contact Renato Bernardes:

Office: 973-465-2126
Email: revrb@aol.com

Renato Bernardes
Network of Portuguese Speaking Churches Coordinator