Because I go, you go too

2026 Pastors’ Conference Recap
By Sarah Rodrigues, Amazon National Director

“I was about to give up when God met me here at the Pastors’ Conference and changed everything.”

I have heard words like these countless times from faithful pastors and their wives. Serving in some of the world’s most remote regions—places that take up to 20 days by boat to reach, often without electricity, clean water, or proper schooling—these men and women lack almost everything, yet experience God’s presence abundantly.

Fourteen years ago, we held our first Jungle Pastors’ Conference with just 20 people. We could never have imagined that one day we would care for, equip, and empower nearly 500 pastors and spouses. At these gatherings, they find a safe place to share their struggles, receive counseling, rest, enjoy good food, and grow through teaching in theology, leadership, missions, and spiritual formation.

This year’s conference theme, “Church Without Walls,” reminded us of Christ moving toward those He died for, and His commission: “Because I go, you go too.” Though these pastors have already sacrificed so much, they, like all of us, need reminders of God’s ongoing call to carry the gospel beyond geographic and social barriers to reach the poor, marginalized, and forgotten. Throughout the week, veteran pastors encouraged the group by sharing how God had convicted them to go to places they had previously delayed visiting or avoided altogether.

After the conference, one couple serving in an extremely isolated area shared how God had convicted them to go even further, reaching nearby rivers where the gospel had yet to be shared. Knowing how much they had already sacrificed, I was struck by how God was calling them, and all of us, to step beyond what was familiar and comfortable once again.

Another leader shared that he felt called to leave everything behind, take a small boat, and go to the riverbanks. I reminded him that God might simply be anchoring him in what matters most, using everything he has built to push him out further, just as Jesus commissioned us to do.

What moves me most is the reach beyond the conference. These pastors care for 9,374 families and serve a network of 465 communities across the Amazon. Behind those numbers are real lives encountering Jesus through practical care, relationship, and presence.

God is moving powerfully, inviting us to join Him in reconciling every person, family, and tribe to the Father. As villages are transformed through the gospel, I pray He receives all the glory, that more partners join us, and that the jungle surrenders to the One who created it.

You might think this work requires extraordinary people. But if you knew me, you would see a regular city girl from Rio de Janeiro who simply said the craziest “yes” of her life. Extraordinary things do not happen through extraordinary people, but through ordinary people willing to obey an extraordinary God. As you look to the coming year, my prayer is that you will listen and obey whatever the Lord asks of you.