On our last day in Portugal we spent a few hours with Milton and Lu, reflecting on our trip and dreaming of possibilities. 34 Years of Awesomeness In a quiet village near the Spanish border, Deanna and I celebrated 34 years of becoming one—not a oneness that shrinks or erases, but one that honors difference …
Whenever I see photos of our favorite humans, I imagine them quietly wondering, “Where have I landed?” “Who are these people?” “How does life work here?” “What can I do?”In my mind, they never question whether they belong—that’s already settled. The real question is how they fit in, not if. They belong by birth; now they’re discovering their place in the unfolding …
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March 18 – April 2, 2025 I. Purpose: To explore church-planting opportunities, reconnect with past contacts, and listen for God’s direction in a spirit of discernment. II. Key Encounters & Observations Lisbon: Suzanne (former Vineyard leader): Shared candidly about past pain in ministry and marriage. Beto (Brazilian worship leader): On sabbatical while seeking personal and …
From the North Atlantic coast to a fireplace in a new friend’s home… Portugal offered us beauty, surprises, and holy moments. Come and see. Elizangela, Micael, and Noah: A Story Comes Full CircleWhen we moved to Altamira in 1996, our first Vineyard services took place in our garage. We’d back our truck onto the street, sweep away the …
What do you think? Michael and Helen Hansen Michael and Helen pastor the Vineyard Church in Sunbury, Ohio—the church planted by Danny and Penny Meyer. Since Danny and Penny mentored us during our formative years with the Xingu Mission, it felt significant to travel with their successors to explore the possibility of a new beginning in …
Summary by Rick Bergen. May 15, 2025 Power shapes our world. It can be used to build up or to tear down, to serve or to control. In Reckoning with Power, David E. Fitch challenges how the church has understood power, often experienced as something other than reflecting the servant leadership of Christ. He calls …
A multi-day church event isn’t just about fun and fellowship; it’s about building a culture of hope, breaking generational cycles, and planting seeds of faith in places often overlooked. When the Church invests deeply, entire communities may change—one soul, one family, and one neighborhood at a time. CristoválAll our churches use the national Carnival holiday …
Deanna and I stayed in Marabá for Cristovál this year to host guests. Brazilians love cake, and Deanna made enough every day for every participant and staff member to get a piece every day.The large group was split into several teams, each wearing different colored shirts. Winning wasn’t about individual strength—it was about teamwork. Everyone had to complete …
Clyde and Kelsie came from Oregon as guest speakers for Cristovál Youth. It’s no small trip—hours of driving, days of flying, and a final 12-hour bus ride with heavy luggage. Nate and Hannah, two of their adult children, came along too. It’s expensive, exhausting, and sacrificial. May God bless them many times over.But the reward is enormous …