Adrian & Judith Stewart received an excellent theological training at London School of Theology where Adrian completed a degree in theology and a Masters in Hermeneutics and Judith graduated with a degree in theology and Christian Counselling. During 12 years in London they have gained considerable practical experience in discipleship, teaching applied theology and counselling in their local church.

From time already spent in Brazil they discerned that these skills are in great demand to help train and disciple leaders at all levels of church life in Brazil. Sound biblical doctrine and applied faith are occasional weak spots that can lead to a high turnover of church population and many other problems.

But good training and grounding in the faith can help overcome this trend and help the church in Brazil realise its role as a powerful voice of the gospel, of justice and of peace. This is the vision that Adrian & Judith are committed to supporting for the rest of their lives.

Adrian and Judith moved permanently to Recife in the northeast of Brazil in November 2003. After 6 months of language study they began to teach an adult Sunday School class in their church and shortly afterwards began lecturing at the local Congregational Bible college. Here is a summary of their work and vision.

Theology in action in Northeast Brazil

Practical Theology

The Congregational seminary in Recife trains Brazilian students how to be pastors, missionaries and church workers. Adrian and Judith are committed to teaching practices that ensure that students’ lives are shaped by God’s Word rather than by culture or church tradition.

Adrian enjoys making systematic theology touch the day-to-day issues of his students and encouraging them to develop their personal opinion about doctrine. By teaching Christian Ethics, Judith strives to help students understand that spiritual health and ethical decision-making are inextricably linked. Judith also supports the seminary with administrative services and they are both involved in the planning and development of the courses offered.

Leadership training

Less formal but equally important is the leadership training work which both Adrian and Judith take forward in their local church. Their adult Sunday School class and midweek teaching sessions are aimed at making the Christian faith of church members more profound, yet more simply understood. There is also an emphasis on training people to serve more capably and confidently.

Building for the future

The northeastern churches are brimming with children from local shanty towns. One way to help break the sociological cycle of poverty that is characteristic of shantytown families is to combine love and the gospel message with educational tools to provide a better future for these children. In 2005, Adrian and Judith launched a building fund for classrooms at their church. Once these 8 classrooms are complete, they will be able to facilitate after-school classes to develop not only good literacy but also skills in IT and self-presentation to really improve employment possibilities and subsequently the future welfare of these needy families. For more information on the building project check out the next section on the site.