Throughout the Brazilian Amazon, local pastors and churches are answering God’s call to bring the Gospel to remote communities, some of which have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Reaching these communities takes quite an effort. Traveling deep into the jungle requires boats, fuel, supplies, and significant resources that many local churches simply don’t have.
“Serving remote communities in the Amazon continues to come with significant logistical challenges,” shared Sarah Rodrigues, our Amazon National Director. “But once again, we have seen that God provides a way.”
Through our Riverside Church Mission Trip Program, Justice & Mercy International provides financial and logistical support to help Amazon churches lead their own mission trips into remote regions of the jungle. These trips are organized and carried out by local church leaders who understand the people, culture, and challenges of the communities they serve.
Equipping Local Churches to Go
The program builds on our commitment to train and equip local pastors throughout the region. Through our three annual Jungle Pastors’ Conferences, hundreds of pastors and church leaders receive biblical training, encouragement, and practical resources for ministry. Over the years, many of these pastors have expressed a desire to take their own congregations on mission trips, reaching neighboring communities where there is little or no Gospel presence.
These local churches have the passion, relationships, and knowledge to carry out this work. What they often lack are the financial resources and transportation.
JMI removes those barriers by providing funding and logistical support for trips, including boats, fuel, and crew expenses. Participating churches contribute their own volunteers, food, and other resources.
As local churches gain experience leading mission trips, they also increase their ability and confidence to carry out missions. We hope to see a growing network of Amazon churches equipped to send their own people to share the Gospel and serve neighboring communities.
A Year of Gospel Impact
In 2026, JMI’s Riverside Church Mission Trip Program supported three mission teams led by Pastor Esdras, one of our faithful ministry partners. Esdras has devoted himself to traveling throughout the region to share the Gospel and encourage churches in remote communities. His leadership has been instrumental in the program’s success.
Together, 63 volunteers served seven remote communities, traveling 646 miles on the river. The teams shared the Gospel, encouraged local churches, and met practical needs through children’s ministry, food distribution, healthcare education, and personal care.
Through this year’s trips:
- 2,421 people heard the Gospel
- 140 Bibles were distributed
- 663 families were reached
- 214 food baskets and 1,914 pieces of clothing were distributed
- 261 children participated in VBS and other children’s activities
- 708 people participated in therapeutic and basic healthcare lectures
The mission teams also provided haircuts, reading glasses, and other practical assistance to families in need.
One special story happened during a children’s outreach event, when 90 boys and girls made decisions to follow Jesus. We praise God for these young lives and pray that their faith will grow through the care and discipleship of local believers.
Strengthening the Church for Long-Term Impact
As Sarah explained, these trips are part of JMI’s larger vision to strengthen local churches and equip believers to carry the Good News into neighboring communities.
“The mission-trip program has become strategic for the expansion of the Gospel in the Amazon. River people reaching river people.”
The trips also build relationships between churches and create opportunities for ongoing discipleship. As people come to faith, they can be connected with local believers and JMI’s broader network of pastors, helping them grow in their understanding of God’s Word.
Pastor Esdras recently purchased JMI’s boat, The Discovery, which will continue to support his ministry along the river. We are so grateful to partner with him as he brings the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
The Work Continues
The Amazon remains a vast mission field, with many villages facing significant barriers to hearing the Gospel. As we celebrate what God has accomplished through this year’s mission trips, we are also prayerfully considering how to strengthen and expand this model of locally led missions. Our desire is to see more riverside churches equipped to reach their neighbors, disciple new believers, and raise up leaders for generations to come.
Please join us in praying for the people who heard the Gospel this year, the new believers beginning their walk with Christ, and the local churches carrying His love along the river. If you’d like to support this program, give here.
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