PMI Missionaries
Luciano & Luciene Pires
Ministry Area: Brazil
Responsibilities: University students, discipleship, theological training, church equipping.
E-mail Address: lupires@yahoo.com
Luciano and Luciene returned to Brazil in 2002 after completing degrees at Covenant Theological Seminary. Luciano received an M.Div. and Th.M., while Luciene earned a MA in Theological Studies. They established a home-based Christian Institute called Colloquium in Goiania, Brazil, a city of 1.2 million people with over 20 universities which are home to about 65,000 students.
Their mission at Colloquium is to present the truths of the Gospel in a way that will challenge the hearts and minds of this generation, aiming as a result to reach out to non-believers and to equip Christians to live all of life under the Lordship of Christ.
During the first five years of ministry, the average attendance has been of 25 people per week through their Bible Studies and various outreach activities. The annual Colloquium Conference attracted 350 people. Their hope to one day open a Center for Theological Education to serve Brazilians and leaders from Portuguese-speaking countries.
Latest Report: (updated 4/10/2008)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart".
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Dear beloved in Christ,
We have meant to email you this newsletter about a month ago, but due to sickness in the family, and a computer that went on strike for 12 days until it got fired, we have not been able to maintain regular contact with you. We pray that this will find you well, resting on God's grace, and looking at the One who is the author and perfecter of our faith, seeking Him for all of you needs, and with all of your gratitude.
Family
Mila started about a couple months ago her first arts class. Every Tuesdays and Thursdays she spends the morning at one of our local parks, which is the home of the City Arts School. She is really enjoying it, and one of our walls at home is now the place for her first "vernissage".
Pedro has taken his first steps, and his favorite word is still BALL. We can tell he has a true Brazilian blood running on his veins as he's always trying to kick the ball no matter if he is standing up, walking, or even if he is crawling on the floor.
Luciene and I are really blessed parents by these two wonderful gifts God has placed under our care.
Here in Brazil, we have been blessed with a late rainy season. It started about a month later than it usually does every year. As a result we are having a beautiful Summer/Fall as we haven't had for many years. The trees are gorgeous and the weather couldn't be more enjoyable than it has been for these last couple of months. Lots of rain usually at sunset, and very mild temperatures keeping around the 70's all the time. Rain comes at the end of the day, sunshine and a blue sky paint the rest of our days.
Ministry
About two months ago we resumed our 2008 ministry activities. Before that our main speaking engagement happened at a Family Retreat at one of the Word of Life branches in Brazil. Luciano spoke on Holiness by Grace. It was a joyful time for the whole family, a mixed of work and vacation since Word of Life is located in a hot springs area.
2008 is a very special year for us as we celebrate Colloquium's 5th anniversary. During these first five years we have experienced God's grace, care and leading through many different circumstances. We also deeply thank our Lord for all the love and support given to us through your life.
As we just mentioned we resumed our activities in mid February. The average attendance of 20 people for the smaller events, and 40 for the bigger ones continues to be our standard. In many of our meetings we have had the attendance of non-Christians, and some, maybe half of the attendees, are people who have never been to Colloquium before.
Among the many blessings we have had already, we can count having Rodrigo and Ana de Sousa with us as one of the most delightful. We met them about 8 years ago at Covenant Seminary, and we always dreamed about working together.
They joined us just a few months ago, and the De Sousas have been a great help and addition to Colloquium. Ana has been working with Luciene on the setups, meals and refreshments, and also mentoring young women. Rodrigo and Luciano are sharing the lectures at Colloquium, and also a Sunday school class on the Historical books at First Presbyterian Church in Goiania. The four of us meet regularly to assess the work and to plan on future projects.
One of these projects is the Colloquium Center of Theological Education (this is not its official name). Rodrigo and Ana are the ones in charge of it. For the opening event they have planned a talk and discussion on Schaeffer's book The God Who is There. Some key people will be invited to be part of it, and asked to read the first two chapters of this assigned book. This first gathering will be held at one of our local Cafés. Please keep this in your prayers.
Trip to the USA
Besides all the regular Colloquium events, and the Conference we do also have to focus on our upcoming furlough.
Many of you may remember that we are, Lord willing, going to be in the USA from this coming August to January. Yet there are at least three important details that have to be worked out still.
First of them is our finances for the trip. We have received some gifts towards it, but are still on need to cover most of the big expenses, especially for the tickets and health insurance. If you feel led to help us on this matter we truthfully will be grateful to you. All gifts are tax deductible, and can be sent to:
PMI (Presbyterian Mission International)
12330 Conway Road
Saint Louis, MO, 63141.
Please, remember to make a note that your gift is going towards the Pireses 2008 furlough.
Second, we will still need to get the visas at the American Embassy. We will travel to Brasilia on April 28th. Our appointments at the Embassy are scheduled for the 29th. Please pray that we will be granted the visas.
Third, the main purpose of this time in the USA is to visit with current supporters, and to contact some potential new ones. We will be contacting, especially Covenant graduates with whom we have overlapped our time at Covenant, at least for a little while. Please pray that many of these old friends will be able to give us the opportunity to introduce ourselves, and ministry to their churches.
Thank you for taking the time to read about us and about what God has called us to do here below the Equator. And, when you have time, drop us an email. We would love to hear how you are doing! May our Lord bless you richly with His love, care and guidance in all areas of your life.
In Christ, with love,
Luciano, Luciene, Mila & Pedro
 Mila |  Pedro |
Download the April 2008 Newsletter in PDF format.
Presbyterian Mission International
12330 Conway Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
Telephone: (314) 434-4044
Fax: (314) 434-4819
