– 2007 Free Methodist World Conference — São Paulo, Brazil

Brazilian Nikkei pastoral couple, Takero and Midori Oshima, dreamed of returning to their ancestor’s home in Japan. They had not returned for years. Finances were tight but Jesus miraculously provided for their dream.


Returning to Brazil just days before World Conference, they told of Bible Studies in Japan FM homes and worship gatherings, evidenced by this scene in the hall way.

What is your evangelism dream?

I know some of you have a special place in your heart for the Church.
I learn so much from the leaders around the world.
I keep learning from Jesus too.

Bishop Shembe (right), from South Africa, is a kind man. He is an international leader and very good at making peace. He came to the World Conference with his delegate and very good friend, Msawenkosi Wiseman Nyawose (left). Professor Msawenkosi is a lawyer and teaches Mercantile Law at the University. His name is a Zulu name and his mother calls him “Musa.”

Bishop Shembe said he and Musa have been friends since they were tiny babies. Bishop Shembe said he has learned about faithfulness from his friend, Musa.

Who are your good friends?
I wonder who of you will be church leaders together?

submitted by Yvonne Roller (FMCNA)

Sandra Mistro is one of four women delegates to the World Conference. She speaks English and was at the airport to meet each attendee. The hospitality of the Brazilian church was seen, in each loving, carefully planned detail.

Bishop Jim Tuan was re-elected to a second term on November 2nd in the Philippine Islands, and on the other side of the world, on the same day, Bishop Jose Ildo Swartele de Mello, was re-elected in Brazil– also to a second term.

Bishop Jim Tuan leads the Filipino Church with compassion for the cities. One Free Methodist Pastor saw the children living in the street–sleeping in the street. He championed a home for these children and gathered them in. International Childcare came alongside. Food and Elementary Education was lovingly provided for the children. Advocating for the children, some were able to re-connect with their families. The orphans remained in their “church home”. More than one hundred street children have been embraced by the FMC. While finding the cities a challenge to decode, the Filipino church launches ministry to the prisons and other wholistic ministries. One lay couple rose to the challenge to shepherd a church plant when the Pastor quit. “We’re available,” they responded. Their glass installing business pays the bills. Since June of this year, they have baptized 4 adults! The Filipino Acronym of STAFF defines the Free Methodist Posture, Submissive to the Lord, Teachable, Available, Faithful, Fruitful

In addition to Lay Pastors, 72 Bible College Students are preparing for ministry. Thank the Lord for the emerging leaders “to go to the other towns” in the P. I. Luke 4:43

NOTE: Bishop Ildo Swartele was so busy hosting the World Conference, we did not want to give him one more thing to attend to–an interview. Please pray as Brazil feels passionately about going to “the other towns also” in new iniatives in the cities, in wholistic ministries and in sold-out ministry to the youth. (As you can see by the photos and video, the Brazilian FMC has a passionate love for Christ!)

WE PRAY AS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND SUPERINTENDENT RETURN HOME TO THEIR CHURCH AFFECTED BY TROPICAL STORM NOEL. WE RECEIVED THIS UPDATE:

VISA Host Kendra Luna returned Friday night, Nov 9, from the Dominican Republic where she had accompanied a VISA team from the Spring Arbor, MI FMC. She writes,”We had a great time of work and ministry with the team. We were able to deliver some supplies to families that had lost their homes in the flooding that happened as a result of Noel while I was there. It was so sad to see the homes filled with mud and incredible to hear miraculous stories of how the Lord preserved the lives of others. We saw a skinny avocado tree that 16 people perched in to survive the night while the flood waters raged around them - we also saw where two children (8 & 3 yrs) had been swept out of their mothers hands as they waited for their father to return from carrying another sibling to the avocado tree. The Christians in this village told us how they had many opportunities to pray with desperate people as the flood waters rose. I wished I could have stayed and done more to help these precious people!”

ALSO HAITIAN SUPERINTENDENT DEVARISTE WILL TRAVEL IMMEDIATELY TO CHURCHES TO OFFER RELIEF WORK TO PARISHONERS. PLEASE PRAY THAT HE CAN OFFER HOPE.

Bishop Samuel Kayinamura opened this final day with his devotional talk, reminding the delegates that the scars of the 1994 genocide are fresh for his country.

In Luke 7, we can see what happens when mourners meet rejoicers. There, the joyful party of Jesus met the mourning party of Nain.

Bishop Kayinamura encouraged us then to march on to new villages as a Battalion of Life.

The Free Methodist World Conference has selected its new Executive Committee for the next four years. They are:
President: Bishop Jim Tuan (Philippines)
Vice President: Bishop Elie Buconyori (Burundi)
Secretary/Treasurer: Mrs. Rebecca Sawyer (FMCNA)
Members at large: Bishop Keith Elford (Canada), Mrs. Sandra Mistro (Brazil) and Rev. Allan Ellershaw (UK)

The Free Methodist Council of Bishops has also selected its new officers. They are:
President: Bishop Jose Ildo Swartele de Mello (Brazil)
Vice President: Bishop David Kendall (FMCNA)
Secretary: Bishop Zwelisha L. Shembe (South Africa)

Bishop Zwelisha Shembe, South Africa reported:

Focus to train pastors and members in church growth and church planting strategies.
Target planting churches in urban areas.
Giving has increased!

There is a shortage of pastors, especially in the urban areas. In fact, the FMC of SA is now using lay professioinals as supply pastors in some urban churches. They need more highly educated pastors to relate to professional lay members.

The church in South Africa has no retirement program for pastors, so at retirement they are forced to leave the manse with no place to live. Financial challenges also exist in their ministry to Zambia, which is an especially poor country. In some churches of 200 congregants, only 3 people are employed.

The final report was given by Bishop Abner Chauke from Zimbabwe.

The lives of believers are bearing fruit of the spirit–in spite of the internal turmoil which the church in Zimbabwe has faced. The economy is serious with the official rate of inflation in Zimbabwe at 8,000% anually. Complicating matters, the country is now facing a famine. What little food exists is rationed and shelves are empty. Further, there is little fuel of vehicles.

In spite of this, members have continued to support the church, praise God. There is a desire to plant and build churches, even in these difficult times.

After each GC report was given, another bishop prayed.

The World Conference concluded with joy for God’s blessings around the world. There was a wonderful spirit of joyful unity throughout the event and God was present in a very real way. Praise His Name!

submitted by Larry Roberts, FMCNA

The World Conference closed in grand style on Saturday night with a “pull-out-all-the-stops” celebration, Brazilian style. At least 5 different choreography troupes, hundreds of CYCers with colored bandanas, a worship band with sizzle, two choirs, a Samba drum group, and soloists led us in an amazing worship service.

Approximately 5,000 vibrating worshipers listened attentively as Bishop David Roller told the story of Mary’s anointing of Jesus, encouraging us to “check our pulse” and, rather than having calculators for hearts, to have hearts that occasionally burst open with extravagance.

The Brazilians rose, unified as one, at the end of the Autonomy Ceremony to cheer, whistle and applaud the passing of Brazil from Provisional General Conference status to General Conference status. Bishop Jose Ildo Swartele de Mello received the symbolic key; a key which signifies ownership. Bishop Matt Thomas presented them with a plaque of recognition.

The next ceremony (these were all back-to-back ceremonies) was the bishop consecration ceremony in which Bishop Jose Ildo passed from being a suffragan bishop to a bishop (a suffragan bishop is under the authority of an overseeing bishop), with the laying on of hands of the other 14 Free Methodist bishops who were present.
And then, the new World Conference Executive committee was installed by outgoing members Bishops Chauke (from Zimbabwe) and Narendra John (from India). Again, the 14 bishops closed this ceremony with the laying on of their hands.

But wait…it was not over! The evening culminated with an ordination service of 5 Brazilian elders! Surrounded by the bishops and their pastor peers, these 5 young Brazilians answered the questions for ordination and were ordained by Bishop Ildo with Bishop Roller assisting.

After over three and a half hours, it was all over. The congregation lingered in fellowship until their waiting buses meant they had to leave.

A night that no one will ever forget. A night that was marked by rejoicing and praise. A night which glorified our Savior, Lord of the Church, and coming King.

First reaction to Saturday evening’s service…

“Well, nothing like a four hour worship, Brazilian General Conference Inauguration, World Conference Board Installation, and Brazilian Pastors Ordination service. It was an incredible night! What a great church. You can just feel it. All styles, all ages, just good!”

submitted by Max McGinnis, FMCNA