Our Team
For our work in Brazil we are privileged to be able to work with a team of people. There are 7 of us in all working in Brazil. It has been amazing to watch how God has put this team together. Each one of us is very different from the others, making us a very versatile team. Each of us has different likes and dislikes allowing us to handle various tasks. We also have different ministry approaches and affinity groups allowing us to reach a broad group of people. Because of this we will be working as a body, but all with separate functions; instead of following each other around. As a result our team should be very effective and efficient. To help you get an idea of this broad reaching ministry team I will try to explain to you the various ministry emphases. The following descriptions may not be completely accurate until I am able to get a ministry description from the actual team member. Until that date this outline should suffice.
Jeremy and Barbarah Kochendorfer
Jeremy and Barbarah are currently in Brazil serving as pastor and wife. Jeremy enjoys organizational and administrative type work. This natural ability has helped in in the pastorate and will continue to be an asset in his new position in the U.S next year.
Barbara has a fun and energetic personality which makes her very appealing to young people particularly children. She is currently active in children’s ministry at the church and she also is in charge of the ministry to the poor children and youth. Barbarah also teaches classes at Young’s English Club giving her a very full plate. She makes a quality pastor’s wife complimenting Jeremy in his duties.
We are also very excited about Jeremy and Barbara's daughter. She was born in July of 2007. Nicolas is happy about a new playmate.
Luis and Vanessa Reis
Luis Reis could very well be the next pastor of Vida Em Cristo, if not there, some other church. Luis is currently the assistant pastor of Vida Em Cristo and the first Brazilian working with our group in training to become a full-time minister. Luis came from a pretty difficult history, but now God is using his past to save people from going that direction. Luis has a strong and bold passion for evangelism and has often said, “all I want to do is work for God.” However, Luiz still needs a lot of training and deepening before he will be prepared for the turbulance of pastoring on his own. Luis and his wife Vanessa have 3 children, Caio, Lucas and Isabella.
Shelly Fuehrer (white shirt)
Shelly Fuhrer will be focusing her attention on women’s ministries. She is a gifted listener and the type of person people instinctively open up to. Shelly is also an excellent teacher (she has a BA in elementary education) and will be involved in teaching English at Young’s English Club. Furthermore, Shelly has received an MA in Ministry and will be available to teach classes at our future seminary.
Dave and Carol Kochendorfer
Dave and Carol Kochendorfer are actually the parents of Jeremy. Dave has been a pastor in the Evangelical Church for over 20 years. While Jeremy was in Brazil Dave and Carol took a team from their church on a two week ministry trip to Brazil. Once they returned home, Dave and Carol felt God putting a burden on their hearts for the ministry in Brazil. Although it was a hard decision they decided to uproot and dive into a new career of missions in Brazil. Because of Dave’s pastoral experience he has been a valuable asset to our team as Jeremy and I are both still relatively “green” in the ministry. Dave will also be heavily involved in teaching at the seminary. Dave is also shouldering the responsibility of field treasurer, handling all of the financial duties. Carol enjoys working with children and is also a gifted musician. She will also act as a host to visiting American groups.
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