Creating a Culture of Inclusivity
Before God worked in her heart through the Haggai Leader Experience (HLE), Samantha Cristine de Souza Miranda never dreamed she would be called to end Gospel poverty among women in Brazil.
“I did not like to be around women because there is usually so much gossip and jealousy. But at the HLE, God opened my eyes. I am now leading a cell group, Bible study, and prayer group — all just for women.”
To Samantha’s surprise, she began to genuinely enjoy her time spent with other women, looking forward to each coffee, meeting, and gathering.
“It is wonderful when we are together around the table. There’s no gossip, no jealousy, and no one feels above or below the others. We share our sins, we pray, we share testimonies, and I preach a Word. We walk together, taking care of each other as one body. In a Brazilian context, this is a wonderful, big miracle.”
In 2021, Samantha’s cell group organized two coffee outreaches for women. Through these events, seven women chose to follow Christ, and three renewed an earlier commitment to follow Jesus. Each woman received a Bible and devotional book and was invited to continue studying the Bible with the group. In 2022, the group has six of these outreaches planned.
“Praise the Lord, we are seeing people maturing, having their lives transformed, and being prepared to impact others’ lives.”
In addition to her work with women, Samantha is passionate about making sure her community, especially her church, is an inclusive place for people with special needs. Her son, Pedro, has special needs and inspires her to work tirelessly on behalf of others who face physical or developmental challenges.
“God has been using me to open doors and break accessibility barriers faced by people with special needs. At church, I’ve been working to change a culture of non-inclusiveness into a culture of welcoming people with special needs: providing better accessibility inside our church building facilities, providing alternative communications for them, and ensuring team leaders are trained adequately to meet their needs.”
Samantha says she always knew sharing the Gospel was part of being a Christian. But before completing HLE, she lacked a sense of urgency.
“I thought that by living a Christian lifestyle, sooner or later people would come to Jesus. I thought sharing the Gospel was a gift God gave to some. Now I am sure that is for all, and it is urgent.”
Written by Jill Clair Gentry
Creating a Culture of Inclusivity
Before God worked in her heart through the Haggai Leader Experience (HLE), Samantha Cristine de Souza Miranda never dreamed she would be called to end Gospel poverty among women in Brazil.
“I did not like to be around women because there is usually so much gossip and jealousy. But at the HLE, God opened my eyes. I am now leading a cell group, Bible study, and prayer group — all just for women.”
To Samantha’s surprise, she began to genuinely enjoy her time spent with other women, looking forward to each coffee, meeting, and gathering.
“It is wonderful when we are together around the table. There’s no gossip, no jealousy, and no one feels above or below the others. We share our sins, we pray, we share testimonies, and I preach a Word. We walk together, taking care of each other as one body. In a Brazilian context, this is a wonderful, big miracle.”
In 2021, Samantha’s cell group organized two coffee outreaches for women. Through these events, seven women chose to follow Christ, and three renewed an earlier commitment to follow Jesus. Each woman received a Bible and devotional book and was invited to continue studying the Bible with the group. In 2022, the group has six of these outreaches planned.
“Praise the Lord, we are seeing people maturing, having their lives transformed, and being prepared to impact others’ lives.”
In addition to her work with women, Samantha is passionate about making sure her community, especially her church, is an inclusive place for people with special needs. Her son, Pedro, has special needs and inspires her to work tirelessly on behalf of others who face physical or developmental challenges.
“God has been using me to open doors and break accessibility barriers faced by people with special needs. At church, I’ve been working to change a culture of non-inclusiveness into a culture of welcoming people with special needs: providing better accessibility inside our church building facilities, providing alternative communications for them, and ensuring team leaders are trained adequately to meet their needs.”
Samantha says she always knew sharing the Gospel was part of being a Christian. But before completing HLE, she lacked a sense of urgency.
“I thought that by living a Christian lifestyle, sooner or later people would come to Jesus. I thought sharing the Gospel was a gift God gave to some. Now I am sure that is for all, and it is urgent.”
Written by Jill Clair Gentry
Creating a Culture of Inclusivity
Before God worked in her heart through the Haggai Leader Experience (HLE), Samantha Cristine de Souza Miranda never dreamed she would be called to end Gospel poverty among women in Brazil.
“I did not like to be around women because there is usually so much gossip and jealousy. But at the HLE, God opened my eyes. I am now leading a cell group, Bible study, and prayer group — all just for women.”
To Samantha’s surprise, she began to genuinely enjoy her time spent with other women, looking forward to each coffee, meeting, and gathering.
“It is wonderful when we are together around the table. There’s no gossip, no jealousy, and no one feels above or below the others. We share our sins, we pray, we share testimonies, and I preach a Word. We walk together, taking care of each other as one body. In a Brazilian context, this is a wonderful, big miracle.”
In 2021, Samantha’s cell group organized two coffee outreaches for women. Through these events, seven women chose to follow Christ, and three renewed an earlier commitment to follow Jesus. Each woman received a Bible and devotional book and was invited to continue studying the Bible with the group. In 2022, the group has six of these outreaches planned.
“Praise the Lord, we are seeing people maturing, having their lives transformed, and being prepared to impact others’ lives.”
In addition to her work with women, Samantha is passionate about making sure her community, especially her church, is an inclusive place for people with special needs. Her son, Pedro, has special needs and inspires her to work tirelessly on behalf of others who face physical or developmental challenges.
“God has been using me to open doors and break accessibility barriers faced by people with special needs. At church, I’ve been working to change a culture of non-inclusiveness into a culture of welcoming people with special needs: providing better accessibility inside our church building facilities, providing alternative communications for them, and ensuring team leaders are trained adequately to meet their needs.”
Samantha says she always knew sharing the Gospel was part of being a Christian. But before completing HLE, she lacked a sense of urgency.
“I thought that by living a Christian lifestyle, sooner or later people would come to Jesus. I thought sharing the Gospel was a gift God gave to some. Now I am sure that is for all, and it is urgent.”
Written by Jill Clair Gentry
