'We Say Yes' with our Irmãos e Irmãs in Central and South America!

Joel Pridmore share's about his recent trip to Brazil representing Elim Sound at the 'Elim Global Conference' for Central and South America

In April I had the privilege of representing Elim Sound at the 'Elim Global Conference' for Central and South America in São Paulo, Brazil. Many amazing Elim people are pioneering and persevering for the Kingdom across the continent and it was fantastic to meet them and be there and see first hand what God is doing. Nations represented included Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guyana, Honduras and Paraguay as well as some from an Amazonian region in Brazil whose journey, I believe, had taken as long as ours from the UK!

The daytime sessions took place at Casa Blanca church building and included leadership teaching and insights, 'Elim Global' discussions and powerful prayer and together. There was also plenty of opportunity for delegates to develop and strengthen new and existing friendships and ministry relationships, often accompanied by beautiful food prepared by the wonderful team from Elim Brazil - their hospitality was outstanding. I was able to lead worship during these daytime sessions with Paulo from Brazil and Violeta from Chile - both of whom I had met previously when they attended our first Elim Sound Global School of Worship in Malvern last year.

The evening celebrations were open to all and were a feast of sound, colour and joy! The scene was set for these by the opening dances performed by young people from the Elim churches in Sao Paulo, during which they waved the flags of all the nations attending the conference. I had the opportunity during these evenings to lead some songs, to share about Elim Sound and to give one of the offering talks!

I especially enjoyed delivering training on the Saturday afternoon for about 50 worship leaders and musicians. Many of these were from nearby Elim churches but there were also some from other church networks as well as a few conference delegates from other nations. We discussed 'Worship and the Prophetic' and 'Band Dynamics' and they seemed to appreciate my attempt to translate my Powerpoint Presentations into Portuguese (using Google Translate and my Portuguese speaking brother in law - thanks Jonny)!! The powerful time of worship and the prophetic flow that followed out of this session will remain a very special memory.

On the Sunday morning we attended a local church where the Pastor's son Ton Carfi, who is a very well known Brazilian singer and worship artist, was leading worship. At one point in the service, they handed me an electric guitar and invited me to minister! We proceeded to sing unrehearsed versions of 'How Great is Our God' and 'We Say Yes' - thankfully the band were able to play along and the congregation very graciously joined in.

I tried to learn what I could and communicate in Portuguese and Spanish at every opportunity... I couldn't quite manage the whole song but we did some of 'We Say Yes' in Portuguese during the final evening celebration!

 

As I flew out of Sao Paulo on the Monday, I did so with a real sense of the honour it was to be a part of this special few days. I left with new precious friendships and having deepened existing ones. It was so enriching to see what is happening in and through our Elim family in the region and exciting that we as Elim Sound get to be a part of God's wonderful story across the World.

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