Students at the Center for Missionary Formation (CFM) in Brazil celebrated the culmination of two years of hard work with a graduation ceremony held on 14 November 2020.

The class of 2020 was part of a program that began completely online for the first phase. These 11 students were presented with certificates of Specialization in Missions. Six students graduated from the resident program with a certificate in Missionary Formation. 

This program included community development activities, evangelism, and visits to churches in addition to the on-campus classes. It also involved six months of practical ministerial experience in the Sertao nordestino, a rural highlands region of Brazil. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic year, the graduates testified of Jesus’ work, of lives submitted to the Lordship of Christ, and people being baptized for God’s glory.

“There were many challenges along the journey, but I firmly believe that those challenges will help us understand that our walk in the missionary service requires a total dependence and trust in the Lord,” said Mariza Melo, a program graduate. “By his grace, God used CFM to train us with tools that will help us in ministry as well as in the planting and development of churches in places that don't know Jesus Christ yet.”

During the graduation, there was celebration for the initiative, which began in 2002 under the direction of Agatha Heap. The program has passed through the hands of several different leaders and is now led by Geraldo Nunes Filho and Filipe Fulanetto.

Currently, the coordinators are Ronaldo and Mara Jeane Costa. The center operates under the direction of Nazarene Theological Seminary of Brazil and Rector Natanael Pinto Cardoso with the support of the Brazil Sub-Region Director Manuel Lima.

--Church of the Nazarene South America