How about a story that begins in a humble home? This is where the seeds of Igreja Batista Memorial Memorial de Osasco were sown.
In 1970, Alice de Souza Verissimo embraced Jesus Christ. It happened during her parents’ golden wedding anniversary. Pastor Steve Harold Montgomery led the service.
About a year later Waldemar Correa de Souza contacted Alice. Waldemar was a member of the Igreja Batista in Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo. He sent João Vieira to Alice’s home in Osasco. The aim was to start worship services at her home on Saturdays. It would be a preaching point under the care of a Baptist church in São Paulo.
Alice opened her home. It became a place to preach the Word of God. The Igreja Batista in Vila São Pedro took responsibility. Missionary Pastor Jerry Donald Ross led the church.
Later the Igreja Batista in Vila São Pedro passed the responsibility to the Primeira Igreja Batista in Vila Espanhola. This was due to geographical reasons. Pastor Helmut Risso was the leader.
For three years services were held in Alice’s house. Soon the first converts emerged. Alice’s daughter Nilvia and her brother Samuel also converted. Francisco Pires da Silva also opened his home for services. He lived in Osasco. Members of the Primeira Igreja Batista in Vila Espanhola joined the group.
The members wanted their own church in Osasco. Samuel found land in Jardim das Flores. Waldemar helped to get funds for the down payment. The Igreja Batista in Vila São Pedro initially paid the installments. Later the Igreja Batista in Vila Espanhola took over.
On April 8, 1977, the Igreja Batista in Vila Espanhola organized the congregation. It became an independent Baptist church. It was named Primeira Igreja Batista in Jardim das Flores. The church had about 20 members at the time. Some are still active today. Carmo Rosa became the church’s first pastor.
After some time Pastor Carmo Rosa returned to the Igreja Batista in Vila Espanhola. The Igreja Batista in Jardim das Flores was without a pastor. Moacyr Menha Junior became the church leader. He and his wife came from the Igreja Batista in Vila Espanhola.
The church wanted a pastor. None of its members felt called to the role. So the church prayed for a pastor who was faithful to the Scriptures.
After a few years God answered the church’s prayer. Eduardo Alves Cadete joined them. He was a member of the Igreja Batista Missionária in Jabaquara. He felt called to pastoral ministry.
After two years the church called Eduardo Alves Cadete to be their pastor. They knew him and his family well. They confirmed he met the biblical requirements for the role.
On August 1, 1987, Eduardo Alves Cadete became pastor. He continues to serve the Igreja Batista Memorial Memorial de Osasco. He serves with God’s blessings.
The church grew and prospered. The church needed a deacon. On April 12, 2003, Ivo Manoel das Chagas Filho became a deacon. On April 14, 2007, Valdir Rastelli Firmino also became a deacon.
In April 2012 the Igreja Batista Memorial Memorial de Osasco celebrated its 35th anniversary. Today it has about 100 members. The church can seat 250 people.
On February 20, 2016, the Igreja Batista em Casa Verde was founded. Fábio Luiz Moreira became the church leader. Moacyr Menha supported him.
With God’s help the Igreja Batista Memorial Memorial de Osasco proclaims the Gospel. It baptizes believers. It teaches the Word. It preserves biblical truth. “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”