Amazon Mission Trip 2026

What an incredible week in the Amazon jungle with a team of 27 from our church at Rolling Hills, plus another 23 Brazilians through Justice & Mercy International. There were 50 of us living on a boat this week, taking the Gospel, medical & dental clinics, Kids’ Clubs, clothes, food and more to villages up and down the Amazon River. It was such an amazing time to serve our Lord with an awesome, godly, passionate team of Christ-followers. Our God moved in a mighty way, and I am so thankful! Thank you all for your prayers, and here are a few highlights from the week:

1. Encouraging and strengthening our wonderful JMI pastors, wives and families. 

What makes this trip so special is that we go to the villages of the pastors we know, love and train at our annual pastor conferences. This is what makes this so unique and impactful. The pastors and the entire villages are so excited when we come. Our pastors are the gatekeepers for their communities - they know the people who need Jesus, the medical needs, the special needs children, where churches or schools need to be built, libraries added and have the ongoing relationships. When a team this size shows up and serves all day and night, it truly supports their work and impacts the entire village and area. Some of these villages have populations of 25,000 people. As one pastor noted, we could do more ministry and Gospel impact in one day than they could in an entire year. All glory to our great God.

2. So many people accepting Christ

The first town/city/village (25,000 people of Uricurituba), we led the worship service that night, and the next day we spent the day doing our medical/dental clinics, kids clubs and home visits. As we were concluding the day, we had a big crowd gathered at the church, and Kate, my daughter, said, “Dad, why don’t you go up and do a close like you do?” Truly, the Holy Spirit prompting. So, using two translators, we shared the Gospel to the entire crowd that had gathered. When I asked if anyone wanted to receive Jesus Christ, so many hands went up. It was a God moment. People prayed to receive Christ, and we all celebrated. Well, the next four days, in every town, city and village where we served, we shared the Gospel, and every day, many people responded. It was incredible seeing people accepting Christ and Revival happening in churches and villages along the Amazon.

3. Serving on mission with my family

What a privilege to serve alongside Lisa, Grace, Mabry and Kate on this mission trip. Grace and Mabry had the same spring break from their college, and God aligned it for us all to serve together. Watching my daughters lead worship, kids’ clubs and pray over people was incredible. They are truly gifted and called missionaries. Seeing Lisa pray over and encourage the pastor’s wives was so touching. Lisa loves being there so much. Our Justice & Mercy Amazon Staff Team is so special to us. We love them all so much. And, to have Anna Townsend here is seeing our spiritual family from church and JMI impacting countless lives for Jesus. I’m so thankful!

4. Everyone on the team using their gifts for God’s glory

Along with my family, we had an incredible team from Rolling Hills and JMA staff, translators, nurses, doctors, dentists, cooks and crew. It was so awesome to see our God bring this team together and everyone using their gifts for the glory of our great God. People taking their vacation time - Americans and Brazilians - was so inspiring. Everyone praying, loving and giving their best for an entire week. People sponsoring children, sacrificing and investing in the things that truly matter for all eternity. I love our church at Rolling Hills and JMI. I love seeing our God work through ordinary people to bring about an extraordinary life-change for His glory!

5. Seeing the glory of our God in His Creation

It is truly awesome to be on the Amazon River and to see God’s creation up close. As Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities and His divine nature have been clearly seen so that all men are without excuse.” You look at the beauty and the intricacy of God’s creation, and the only response is awe. The Amazon is the lungs of the earth. As we went on jungle walks and listened to our Jungle Guide describe how everything fits together, you simply can say, “Only God.” To see how God knit together every plant, animal, seed, tree, water, fruit and more to support life and to radiate His glory. This is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I left more in love with God and affirming God’s Soverignty. Thank You, Lord - You are truly an incredible, beautiful and awe-inspiring God!

If you have never been on a mission trip, then go. You will impact so many lives for Christ, and your own life will be changed. Go to the Amazon with Rolling Hills and JMI. Or, to Moldova, Italy or another place God puts on your heart. Also, I encourage you to sponsor a child through JMI. You can change a life for eternity. We know these kids. We have seen them, and we have seen the life change that happens through sponsorships. Join with God’s people and let’s change the world together - one life at a time. Let’s live our lives on mission every day.