Hope Channel on a Hotel TV Leads a Brazilian Family to Baptism

Maykon John Pereira da Silva worked far from his family in Brazil. One night in 2018, he turned on a hotel television and found Novo Tempo, Hope Channel in Brazil. He shared what he learned with his wife, and the couple and their daughter later studied the Bible and were baptized.

Maykon’s work kept him about 400 kilometers from his family, and he could return home only every 15 or 20 days. He watched Novo Tempo regularly during those periods away. “It made me feel welcome,” he recalled. When he returned to his home in Balsas, he told his wife, Luana, about the broadcasts. She became interested, and they watched together.

A conversation at an auto-electric shop led to an invitation. The owner invited Maykon to a small group, where the family learned that someone could come to their home to study the Bible with them.

Luís Carlos Cardoso da Silva and Cristina Meire Carvalho da Silva visited the family for those studies and became friends with the couple. “We wanted to learn more about the Bible and discovered that we could receive this knowledge in our own home,” Maykon said.

Maykon John Pereira da Silva and Luana Maria Cezar with Cristina Meire Carvalho da Silva and Luís Carlos Cardoso da Silva, the Bible workers who led the family’s studies. Credit: Personal Archive

Luís and Cristina also introduced the family to Pastor Juliano Silva, who connects with Novo Tempo viewers in Balsas. He invited them to Espaço Novo Tempo, a center where viewers of the channel meet for Bible classes and ongoing support, then walked with them as they continued their studies and prepared for baptism.

Maykon John Pereira da Silva and his family receive a visit from Pastor Juliano Silva and his team in Balsas, Maranhão. Credit: Personal Archive

For the pastor, that personal involvement is essential for people who first encountered the message through television. “For new members to be welcomed, the Adventist family must be involved in this process,” he said. “We need to integrate technological tools into the church’s missionary work.”

Maykon and Luana’s 12-year-old daughter also took part in the Bible studies, and all three were baptized. Work still takes Maykon to different cities, and he uses those trips to speak with others about the Bible. “Since I travel often and visit several cities, I take with me the commitment to preach the Word,” he said.

Maykon John Pereira da Silva records his testimony for Anjos da Esperança (Angels of Hope), a Novo Tempo program that tells the stories of lives transformed through media. Credit: Personal Archive

Translated and adapted for Hope Channel International by Jeanne Damasio.

As first reported by Notícias Adventistas: https://noticias.adventistas.org/pt/da-tela-do-hotel-ao-batismo-como-a-tv-novo-tempo-transformou-uma-familia-em-balsas/