Letter of Recommendation from Pastor Robert Johansson of Evangel Church NYC
Greetings!
If you are considering joining Steve and Dianna Butcher of Amazon River Churches on a short term mission trip, allow me to attempt to influence your decision.
- I just returned two weeks ago and I want to go back!
- It’s such an awesome endeavor. Where else are you offered the opportunity to make an impact the kingdom of God in a significant way in just a few short days? You get to build a church! What an honor.
- Your faith will grow exponentially as you call upon the Lord at every turn along the way and He faithfully answers. HE is sooooo GOOOOD!
- Your team will bond in a way you never could have expected. We left New York City loosely acquainted and returned a true family.
- Once you meet our Brazilian brothers and sisters, your entire perspective will change. You will begin to note what is most important in life and adapt an attitude of gratitude. Their contentment, sincere humility and servitude are staggering.
- In the cities you will be burdened by the prevailing sense of darkness, hopelessness and bondage you see in the masses of people; on the river, you will be exposed to a childlike simplicity, curiosity and hospitality that are rarely seen no matter where you’re from. You will want to do something, anything to make a difference in these precious lives.
- Steve and Dianna. They are sold out for Jesus. Watching them pour themselves out and into the lives of everyone they meet is in itself a life altering experience. They are strong, courageous and a threat to the kingdom of darkness. They are prayer warriors who truly understand who we are in Christ and all that we have at our disposal in and through Him. They are patient, loving, kind, thoughtful, and have a great sense of humor too! Their love for God and His church is pure. They seek nothing for themselves. They strive to make Christ known and to bring Him the glory He is worthy of. I love them deeply and I am so thankful to have them in my life.
If you hear God’s still, small voice speaking to your heart specifically about Amazon River Churches, hear Him out! You’ll regret it if you don’t. You don’t want to miss this move of God. Expect to be changed, your heart to be burdened and your priorities to be called into question. You will work hard, laugh heartily, your spiritual eyes will be opened and you will cry at times for no apparent reason (okay, maybe that’s just me).
If I can help you by answering questions or sharing more details, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My email address is Ladyfeb14@aol.com
Because of Calvary,
Christine : )Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
It is a great privilege to be able to recommend to you Steve Butcher and Amazon River Churches (A.R.C.) ministry. I met Steve in Rochester shortly after the Lord called him to build river churches in the Amazon. Linking up with A.R.C. has enriched our own vision in church planting and has put us on the brink of a major advancement of the kingdom of God in our region of the Amazon!
Having planted over 15 churches in the rain forest, we know that a 60 X 24ft brick building usually takes at least 3 months to put up. So when I first heard of Steve’s idea to build a church in 5 days from start to finish, I thought the only way to cure him was to bring him into the middle of the jungle to show him what life here is really like! However, it was God that showed all of us that A.R.C. truly was His plan after all!
In the weeks and months that followed, I have come to deeply appreciate Steve. I find him a man of purpose and integrity who is fully devoted to Christ. His vision to provide opportunity for anyone who wants to make an eternal difference in reaching thousands of unreached Brazilians is intriguing and captivating. His genuineness and sacrificial giving has won the admiration of already hundreds of Brazilians and church pastors. And I must say, the 5-day church building pilot project was an amazing accomplishment and engineering wonder for a jungle church!
The goal is hundreds of churches, to reach hundreds of river communities that currently have no church. I would encourage anyone, whether a new believer, or seasoned pastor, who desires to make his or her life count in the most ripe and vast mission field of the world, to join Steve in building A.R.C. churches for Project Amazon.
Scott Toth
PAZ Regional Director of the Castanhal Base
Senior Pastor, PAZ Central Church, Castanhal
Letter of Recommendation For Amazon River Churches
Steve Butcher while attending the church I pastor felt he heard a call from God to build churches in Brazil. He has proclaimed this to many and through many obstacles has held true to the vision the Lord has given him. He has now put together a system that a team can go to Brazil and in one week or less build a building that can be used in a remote Amazon village for a church. During the fall of 2007 a team under Steve’s supervision built the first prototype of these churches with success. The Brazilians themselves are amazed at the building that is produced, that will last for many years, and built in such a short time.
Steve is under the covering of both his local church and the PAZ (Project Amazon) ministry in Brazil. If you are not familiar with PAZ and Scott Toth I have been there several times and know the leadership of the organization well. PAZ is also an affiliate ministry of Elim Fellowship in Lima NY. Steve at this time feels to work with Scott Toth in the building of these churches and I can recommend Scott and Steve to you.
Building a church in Brazil is only the beginning of the experience. When you have a team come down to Brazil you will not just leave a building that will go on for years to bring in fruit for the Kingdom of God you will be personally changed also. This ministry will bless Brazil, your local church, and you personally.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me personally.
Yours truly,
Philip McNeill
Sr. Pastor
Word of Life Christian Fellowship