Author Archives: XM

Portugal Trip Summary & Key Takeaways

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

Portugal: Week Two

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

European Deanna?

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

Cristovál

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

Cristovál in Marabá

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

Marabá Church

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

The Unplanned Journey

How God Leads Through Detours and Delays We like to think we know how God should work in our life and in our people’s lives. We assume God wants us to map out best choices, right priorities, and logical steps. But time and time again, I’ve learned that God’s path is frequently unpredictable—and it often

Go Down to Go Up

A Dream I had the following dream in January 2025: In a bustling Asian metropolis, I found myself leading a group of twenty friends on an uncertain venture. We wandered the streets, unable to find an elevator to ascend a towering high-rise. Determined, we navigated through hidden maintenance corridors, and occasionally, strange beasts blocked our