Meet Belo Horizonte's New Director
"He is faithful, even when I am doubtful or scared.”
Pedro Albuquerque is stepping into a demanding role. As the new director of CO Belo Horizonte, Pedro will be the first indigenous staff to lead the Brazilian ministry.
In the midst of overwhelming responsibility, Pedro finds strength in God’s past faithfulness to meet his present needs.
“He is way more committed to His mission and to the expansion of His Kingdom than I, or any other mission agency, will be.”
Q&A with Pedro Albuquerque:
How are you uniquely equipped for this role, especially as a Brazilian yourself?
"My hope is that, as a Brazilian, I might be more sensitive to specific cultural aspects and challenges that might affect one's trajectory to become a believer. I believe that as God continues to transform and redeem my personal history as well as my wife's and our marriage, He will also lead us to pour into our team and students' lives in a way that speak truth to them."
What are some of your hopes for the ministry's future?
"As a team, we have been working towards building a "Multicultural Movement with a Brazilian Identity." I hope that as we become Brazilian-led, that will take us a few steps closer to that goal.
With that, I'd love to see a new generation of Brazilian disciples being developed in their faith, helping others to get to know Jesus as well.
I’d love to see a generation of young Brazilian men who fear the Lord with all their heart, stepping up in godly leadership, leading the local church, being godly husbands and fathers.”
What role has CO played in your own life?
"I became a believer through the Campus Outreach Ministry almost 14 years ago. My sister, who was a sophomore, got me connected with the ministry. It was such a different experience for me to be around such a loving group of people. In a short time, people were interested in getting to know me, my family, my struggles, my thoughts about spirituality, and my worldview.
I was engaging in community and experiencing relationships on a level that I never had, even with my oldest friends. That kept me around and made me ask, 'what was different about that group of people.' "
They were normal people with personal challenges and struggles, came from broken families, and had pretty much the same issues other people had. But as I continued to get to know them better, ask questions and engage in deeper relationships, I kept getting the same answer: it is all about Jesus! All that love, all that hope, and all that joy that I was experiencing with that community pointed to Jesus, and I realized I didn't know Jesus the same way they did, but I was convicted that I wanted that for my life. After a few months of studying the book "More than a Carpenter," attending church services, and having many conversations, I surrendered my life to Jesus.
How can we pray for and with you?
1. For our team in Belo Horizonte to experience unity and intimacy with Christ as we go through big transitions.
2. For our disciples in Belo Horizonte to grow in their faith, vision, leadership, and likeness with Christ
3. For a new generation of disciples and leaders who will embody the vision and mission of the great commission
4. For our local church, Comunidade Horizonte, as we are about to enter a season of interviewing candidates for the senior pastor position
5. For Priscila and I to continue to grow in God's grace and truth in our marriage as we take over more leadership.
