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Igreja Batista Nova Esperança do Amazonas Reaching the Lost for Christ
During this first year several members of the community heard the Word of God and responded to the call of Salvation. At times so many men, women and children would come to the Sunday morning services on the floating camp house, it would float only inches above the water level. Many days the children would have to be calmed and warned not to all run to the front porch at once, so as not to tip the structure. On Sunday mornings, it was not unusual to have 120 at attendance . Soon it was quite evident that a new church building was needed. In the spring of the year Jack and Penny made a decision to change their original plans and to use her retirement money from Baptist Hospital of Jackson to build a Church with an apartment above instead of the planned private residence.
The Island across from the HCS Boys Camp had been bought with money donated for that purpose, the year before. The river had dropped and Jack made a decision to build on the highest spot on the Island. The Island was named "Hope Island" in honor of the grand-daughter of the man who had donated the money. In September of 2002 Jack and several workers set the huge poles that would eventually be the framework of the Church.
The river came back up and all work was stopped until July of the next year. Jack and Penny began with their own money but soon God blessed them with matching funds. They had used the $10,000. dollars from Penny’s retirement to start the church/home and now a supporter, the same one who provided the money for the land, contributed $10,000 more. God is truly a GOOD father. With the added support, more workers were hired and the work preceded quickly. By the time the water came back, the structure was well under way.
Work continued and soon a new Church started to appear where there was only Jungle. The construction of the church provided much needed employment for many of the local residents, several of which made decisions for Christ, and are now good church members.
By mid 2003 the church was dried in and Penny and Jack made the decision to move full time to the Island. Their primary ministry Hope for the Children of the Street-HCS, which included the HCS Boys camp was operating just across the inlet from where the church was being built. Although the apartment above the church was still pretty rough, they took up residence and have never looked back. Things actually were easier since they were closer to the boys and also were already there when Sunday morning services were held. The church continued to grow and members were added as decisions were made for Christ.
By the end of 2003 Jack and Penny started holding additional services on Sunday night and Wednesday night. The church also continued the tradition of a Christmas celebration for the entire community. This is really a special event and includes a dinner, worship service, and gifts for all who attend. In years past, over 300 guests have attended on the grounds in front of the church.
On June 6th 2005 Igreja Batista Nova Esperança do Amazonas (New Hope) became a fully legal and functional Baptist church of Amazonas. The adopted Doctrine is the same as used by the CBA (Baptist Convention of Amazonas) At the second general assembly the members voted and unanimously elected Pastor Jack D. Oyler as their Pastor Titular, (founding pastor). They also voted to make the HCS Boys program a ministry of the church.
Last year, while First Baptist Church of Raymond Ms. was on mission at the HCS Boys camp, Pr. Jack baptized 7 in the waters of the Manacapuru river in front of the church. 5 couples, wait patiently for Pr. Jack and Penny to return in mid September of 2005. They all will be married in the church followed by baptism in a special service.
In April of 2005 lead by Pastor Jack & Penny, the members of Igreja Batista Nova Esperança started praying for the lost families who live in the communities close to the church. The third week of each month, the members meet each night to pray for their Salvation, or their return to God. The prayer meetings are simple, although sometimes quite long. After a welcome, a prayer of thanksgiving and a hymn or two, all who attend stand and join hands and each member prays for all of the lost he or she can remember from a prayer list. This continues until all in the circle prays. In the beginning each prayed only for those whom was known by them personally. As time went on each of us started learning the names of our fellow members list, and also who they were, family, friends, ect. This helped us all to get to know who we were praying for and also allowed our members to grow closer to each other.
Since starting this monthly week of prayer , 7 adults have made new decisions for Christ ! and 6 adults have made reconciliations.
Below are photos of the founding families who live around the church.
Pray that we will continue to bring Glory to our Lord and Savior here in Amazonas Brazil.
UPDATED: Saturday, April 12, 2008
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New Hope
Baptist Church grew from a preaching point started by Jack & Penny Oyler in
2002. As they ministered to the Street boys who lived full time at the HCS Boys
camp, they began to see the great need of a place where their boys and workers
could worship and study. Jack and Penny prayed for several months about the
added responsibility of starting the new church. Finally after the lady members
of a volunteer team had spent a week working with the local community children
in VBS. Jack and Penny decided they had to continue the good work that was
started by the team. They
started holding Sunday morning services in the floating Camp House. This
continued for almost a year.
