Members of First Baptist Church taking part in two-week mission trip to Brazil


Members of First Baptist Church conducting mission trip to Brazil ... Left to right - Front row: Steve Kiley, Cristina Smith, Valeria White, Deb Kiley, Denise Beyer, Diane Roth, Lin Barthel; Back row: Larry Straate, Pastor Duane Smith, Michael Smith, Brent Beyer, Michael Roth Jr., Mike Roth Sr., Larry Barthel. Submitted photo.

Fourteen members of First Baptist Church of Waukon are scheduled to depart Wednesday, June 4 for Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil on a mission trip, returning Wednesday, June 18. This is the fifth mission trip to Brazil organized by co-leaders Pastor Duane and Cristina Smith. The couple enjoys planning overseas mission trips for First Baptist Church with the intent of sharing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

The mission team will present to churches, schools, and one-on-one with individuals in the city of Vitoria da Conquista. Cristina Smith’s brother and sister-in-law, David and Debbie Thompson, are the team’s hosts and have served as veteran missionaries to the area for 40 years.

Vitoria da Conquista is located in the east-central part of Brazil and home to 370,879 residents (as of 2022) and the third largest city in the state. It boasts a unique blend of modern urban life and traditional Brazilian charm. It is considered the “coffee capital” of Brazil. The region produces high-quality coffee beans that are sought after both nationally and internationally.

The city is a tapestry of diverse cultures, heavily influenced by Indigenous, African, and Portuguese heritages. In recent years, Vitoria da Conquista has embraced technology and innovation, particularly in agriculture. The city has implemented precision farming techniques that improve crop yields and reduce environmental impact. Local farmers are increasingly adopting these technologies, positioning Vitoria da Conquista as a leader in sustainable agricultural practices in Brazil.

Cristina Smith carries dual citizenship with the United States and Brazil since her parents were missionaries to Brazil for 42 years of their lives, and she was born in Brazil. Due to this fact, she is fluent in the Portuguese language and has a passion to take teams to Brazil to learn of its beautiful culture, people, and share the love of God.

This particular team has been in weekly training sessions since January of this year, preparing a presentation of songs, drama, and (translated) testimonies. Each testimony contains a life-story combined with how Jesus Christ has transformed his or her life, communicating Jesus’ forgiveness and the transforming power of the cross.

A report on the mission will be shared by team members at First Baptist Church Sunday, June 29 at the 10 a.m. service. The community, family, and friends are welcome to attend.