January 24th, 2026 was a special day at Sitio Shalom Ministries as we gathered for a baptism and a time of fellowship on the property. It was a meaningful occasion as Igreja Batista Vitoria visited the Sitio for the first time as a church family. Seeing the grounds filled with believers worshiping, celebrating, and sharing in this moment together was a blessing to everyone present.
Pastor John Yelle and his wife Neila joined us for the event. They have faithfully served as church planters in Brazil for more than 28 years, investing their lives in ministry and in the people of this region. Their dedication and long-term commitment to the work of the Gospel has impacted many communities, and it was a joy to spend time with them and hear about the work the Lord has been doing through their ministry.
We were also blessed to meet a missions team that had just arrived from Seattle, Washington. They had flown in to serve alongside Pastor John and support the ministry of Igreja Batista Vitoria. It was encouraging to see believers from different places come together with a shared purpose of serving the Lord and strengthening the local church. The team brought great energy, kindness, and encouragement to everyone they met.
The day was filled with fellowship, conversation, laughter, and celebration. The baptisms were a powerful reminder of new life in Christ and the joy that comes from publicly declaring one’s faith. Moments like these highlight the beauty of the global church, where believers from different countries, backgrounds, and churches can gather together as one family in Christ.
It was truly a wonderful time, and everyone had a great time being together at Sitio Shalom Ministries. We are grateful for the friendships that continue to grow and for the opportunity to see God’s work happening through His people.
In our Savior’s service,
Guta and Jim