When you ask God for guidance, expect Him to turn challenges into amazing opportunities.
“Why did you bring me here, God?” This was Pastor Tercio’s honest prayer when he arrived in MENA as the new literature ministries leader over two years ago and surveyed the regional challenges to such a ministry.
“How can I develop a strong program?” he prayed.
Little did he realize that his years of experience in the publishing ministries of both the South and North American Divisions of Seventh-day Adventists had already equipped him for this challenge. Almost two decades earlier, while serving in the U.S., health workers had approached him requesting materials they could use in their outreach. That experience opened his eyes to the value of having systematized, published resources that could accompany a lifestyle program—something that would not only inform but also guide people step by step toward lasting change.
Upon returning to Brazil, Pastor Tercio collaborated with a physician to produce just such materials, laying the foundation for a model that combined literature, health principles, and personal follow-up—while also providing medical workers with an immensely fulfilling, effective, and self-sustaining ministry.
Pastor Tercio realized that the program could be especially useful in MENA, where health ministry creates natural opportunities to connect with people. But to be effective, the materials had to be authentic to this region—written from the ground up for local realities. Recipes and natural remedies needed to reflect what people already use and trust in their homes and markets. Stories and illustrations had to arise from daily life here, not adapted from somewhere else.
In collaboration with Marcia McEdward and the Health Ministries team, the vision expanded to not only create these region-specific resources, but also to train those sharing them to serve as lifestyle consultants—walking alongside people for ten weeks and making the program both practical and personal.
Though the task was daunting, with the support of Dr. Luiz Fernando Sella and a team of others, the first steps were taken, and God opened the way. Training began earlier this year in one of MENA’s locations and the second training in Beirut this September marks the next step in the Breakfree journey as workers are prepared to launch three programs in three different countries.
Over ten days, 32 participants immersed themselves in training that combined classroom learning with lived experience—sharing natural meals, practicing home remedies, and walking through the ten-week program in a condensed form. Presenters included the authors of the materials, Dr. Luiz Fernando Sella and Dr. Daniela Kanno, Dr. Mario Martinelli, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Publishing Director, Serghei Costas, regional director for the Lay Institute for Global Health Training and Outpost Centers International, and MENA presenters Tercio Marques, Alexander Clemente, Cindy Porto, Yesneth Alvarez, and Ricardo Palacios. Roberto Brandon Tygret from Amazing Facts attended, exploring ways Breakfree could be partnered with their ministry—an indication of how this initiative may be used beyond MENA.
Participants of the training left a wealth of knowledge, as well as confidence and purpose to guide others through what they have now experienced for themselves.
One participant shared, “This is a wonderful way to meet people and follow up with them in their homes. I had been praying about how to connect with people, and this is like Jesus’ method—mingling with people, desiring their best good, their health and wellness.”
Another couple reflected, “We want to begin in our local church, where there is great need, and then extend to the community. The program was a blessing because it helped us see from God’s perspective the benefits of health and the guidance He has given us.”
Others saw in Breakfree a tool to inspire whole communities to refocus on health—body, mind, and spirit. A participant from the literature ministry commented, “This will help us be able to connect with people to share such a beautiful message.”
As the training concluded, a sense of mission filled the room. Participants returned to their countries with tools in hand and a vision in their hearts: to let the health ministry open doors to stronger churches and service to the community.
Let us pray: God our healer, thank you for binding our wounds, healing our infirmities, and leading us in ways of life. Guide these medical ministers to those who are seeking healing and please provide more people to serve in this way.