AVM Combined Team - What a Blessing! (John 10:27)

With the assistance of Global Missions 365, AVM was able to facilitate our latest team that just came off the river. This team had members from Georgia, New Mexico and Kenya. Yes, Kenya Africa. What an incredible team God assembled. This team visited four different communities, held three church services, ministered to over 232 children in VBS, discipled in 46 different homes, had eight Bibles studies, two rededications to Christ and 11 people pray to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. All of this in six days! Praise God!! This was said from one of the Team Leaders:

As I work through all the post trip emotions, this has been on my heart and I wanted to share:

One of the hardest parts of a mission trip for me is saying goodbye. Not only because I dearly miss the people of the river, in country team staff, and this year, two team members from Kenya, but also because we have to say goodbye to part of our team from the states. Why is this so? Thanks to AVM and Global Missions 365 our team of five from NM had the opportunity to join with another team out of GA, as well as missionaries from Kenya! When I first spoke to GM365 about what it looks like to join teams they said, “we see teams meet for the first time at the beginning of the trip and it’s like they’ve always known each-other”. This was true for me with a team I went with last year and again this year! From the moment we met in the airport, we felt like family! After little sleep from traveling, we went into our first village that afternoon, and as we all worked together for the first time, you could clearly see God’s hand in our team’s unity. Thank you GM365 and AVM for bringing us all together. We know it’s God who truly puts these teams together, but you helped facilitate and for that I am grateful!

-Hanna

Jonesville Baptist Church

Jonesville Baptist lead by Larry Wooten have safely returned home. What a great mission this team had. They traveled down the Black River, “Rio Negro” to a community that AVM had not been to before. The team had the blessing of watching over 60 people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The team not only ministered to the spiritual needs of the community but also to their physical needs by having a dental and medical clinic. Below is a snipit of what Larry and the team experienced. Thank you Jonesville Baptist for answering the call to GO!


What we have been up to...

AVM Family,

Amazon Vision Ministries has been busy!  So far this year, we have successfully completed three trips and have several more trips planned and opportunities for you to join us.  

Richard and Christi Jennings started the year off in February leading a team to Feijoal in the Three Frontiers area.  They partnered with Project Indigenous teaching for 5 days in a seminary where they assisted in equipping Indigenous Christians in biblical truths from the Ten Commandments to the ascension of Christ.  The Mayaruna, Kokoma, Ticuna, Marubu and Yagua tribes were all represented. The team led three church services, one of which they shared the Lord's supper and one where seven people prayed to accept Christ.  They spent much needed time in intentional prayers for healing, discipleship and VBS.  The team was also able to have a street ministry at a soccer game where two people prayed to accept Christ.

AVM will be returning to Feijoal in January of 2026 to continue teaching at the invitaion of Pastor David Ticuna of the Mundial Power of God Church. 

In early March, Pastor Will King led a return trip to Nova Esperanca out of Manacapuru. The team presented the Gospel over 20 times and had four people accept Christ.  The team led seven church services and spent invaluable time in fellowship with the community.  Pastor Will King hopes to return to Nova Esperanca before the year is out.  

In late March, David Wood led a team to Terazzina 3 out of the Three Frontiers area.  The team spent time fellowshipping with the community.  Possibilities of planting a church here are in the talks.  More details to come on that...

The team was also able to travel to Feijoal to celebrate Mundial Power of God Church’s 16-year anniversary.  Pastor Eli was invited to preach at this celebration.  It was a great day of church and fellowship which assisted in solidifying the relationship between AVM and Feijoal.

AVM has several more trips planned.  The next trips will begin in June and will continue through September and possibly into October.  Come join us on the river!! We would absolutely love that.  Also, please be in pray for AVM, our board, our team leaders and team members!  Your continued support is very precious to us.  If you woul d like to donate you can click here. AVM Give

All for Christ!

Richard Jennings

Director of Operations

richard@amazonvisionministries.org

December 2024 Supply the River

AVM once again returned to the river to deliver food to the families in much need of supplies. What a blessing it was to be able to do this, especially during the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Along with the over 500 bags of food that were given out, toys were also given to families with young children. The bags of food were enough to supply a family for two weeks:

16 different communities/ 413 families and 186 children

This is such a special ministry to AVM and thank you to Allison Crepeau for making the journey and thank you to Pastor Eli and Victor for making it possible. Prayers and financial support are much needed and appreciated for this ministry with AVM. If you feel led, please visit our DONATE page; dontations can be made directly to the “Supply the River” fund: the link below will take you to the donation page

AVM Donations

Please watch the below short video of this wonderful Supply the River trip:

https://youtu.be/IBf0fVYUWXM?si=O1F7j2LR-yTiI8q9

New Director of Operations

AVM family,

I wanted to take a quick moment of your time to introduce myself. My name is Richard Jennings, the new Director of Operations of Amazon Vision Ministries.  

I have been with AVM since 2005 when I went on my first mission trip.  On that trip, I surrendered myslef to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  The trip made such an impact on me that I continued to go on teams, then began to build teams.  I became an AVM Board member three years ago and now here I am as Director.  This is something that I never thought possible or was even on my radar.  God has brought me here and it is an honor to be in this position as Director. My heart is to further God's kingdom in the West Amazon Basin and beyond.

I recall in 2018, I was on mission with Pastor Gary Crawford, co-founder of AVM, he shared with me Psalm 22:27-28 & 31: 

 "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.....they will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!"

This was the verse given to Pastor Gary by God to give him clear discernment on starting this ministry.

As the new Director we continue to move forward with the vision and mission of AVM:
  

 Vision  
 

"Establish communities of followers of Christ worshiping together and serving in ministry toghether and missions in the west Amazon Basin and Beyond"
 

Mission  
 

"Bring the hope of Christ to the people living in the western Amazon Basin of Brasil"

Please come join us on the river.  We have several oppurtunites that we are blessed to be a part of:

  • Supply the River trips

  • Trips out of Manacapuru

  • Trips out of Tabatinga

  • Pastoral Leadership and Training

  • Partnership with Project Indigenous - Equipping Indigenous Christians

I spent time earlier this month with Pastor Eli and Victor along with our in country coordinators.  Several new communities and oppurtunities have been identified and we are all excited to have you come on board with us and continue with the Great Commission.

God bless you all and thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please contact me for trip interest, support and prayer inerest or if you just want to chat!

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" -
Jeremiah 29:13

All for Christ!!

Richard Jennings

Director of Operations

Amazon Vision Ministires


Director Transition

January 1st, 2025

By Michael Allen 

Dear AVM Family,

 

It has been a blessing, privilege, and honor to serve as AVM’s Director of Operations for the last six years. This past Fall, I notified the Board of my intentions to step down and that I would assist in a smooth transition of leadership. I want to thank each one of you for your continued support as I served in our shared ministry, especially in the last year as my family suddenly and unexpectedly lost our son, Max. Your prayer and support have meant a great deal to myself, my wife, and children. In knowing me, you can be assured that this move was guided through prayer and discernment. The ministry is primed for growth, and the incoming Director, Richard Jennings, will be able to make an immediate impact.

 

During the last six years, we have navigated some difficult and uncharted waters. Not only did we survive - but through the grace of God - AVM thrived. Look at what we have overcome:

 

COVID-19

Amid a worldwide pandemic and travel lockdown, it was thought that this ministry could not survive without teams on the river. God had different plans and we thrived with a new ministry named Supply the River in which AVM would supply food and the gospel message to families along the river. Fueled by your generous giving and with the help of our dedicated Brazilian staff, we fed over 5,000 families and shared the gospel with over 25,000 souls! Praise God!

 

Passing of our Co-Founder

Joe Fincher, an AVM founder and friend to many, had a tremendous impact on all aspects of our operations, well beyond his formal roles as Board Member and treasurer. In the wake of his passing in 2020, AVM mourned our great loss, while also needing to transition Joe’s many responsibilities. At the onset, it was overwhelming because we knew that no one could replace Joe. However, we were highly motivated to keep his legacy alive and well. Through persistent prayer and diligent work, the ministry experienced supernatural continuity and we praise God for celebrating our 20th Anniversary.

 

Eli’s health

When Eli was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, we questioned if the ministry could survive since most of the in-country operations rested upon his shoulders. At this time, we were able to onboard new in-country coordinators and a full-time assistant so that ministry could continue as Eli courageously battled cancer. As a result of this setback, the future of AVM Brazilian operations is now in place. Not only that, but through the miraculous healing hand of Jesus, Eli is currently cancer free. Praise God!

 

As we look back, I am even more excited what AVM will do in the future. Our pastoral training conferences have begun, new doors have opened to work with the Hagekai, and many teams are committed to return to the River in 2025. Also, thank you for making our Christmas Supply the River project a success! Because of your generous contributions we raised $14,875! This supplied over 500 families with a week’s worth of food, over 500 children with toy bags, and the gospel was preached to all of them. Click here to see a video from this trip.

 

In closing, I am excited that Richard will be transitioning into the Director role. Richard and his wife, Christi, are long-time Board members who have a deep love for Jesus, the Great Commission, and the people of Brazil - especially the unreached. They boldly go where most will not go to share the hope of Jesus Christ. I ask that you pray for them and the vision that God has for AVM, now and in the future.

 

God bless you and may God continue to bless Amazon Vision Ministries!

 

“I will give thanks to you Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” -Psalm 9:1

 

In His Name,

Michael Allen

Former Director of Operations

Amazon Vision Ministries

Giving Tuesday 2023: Ministry Update

By Michael Allen

Dear AVM Family,

As you consider and plan your giving for today and the next year, please review the upcoming projects, open doors, and ministry opportunities that AVM has the privilege of being a part of. Some of these are new doors being opened and others have been years in prayer and planning just to get to this point.

Supply the River (2023 year-end)

What started in 2020 as a one-time mission to bring much needed food, supplies, and the gospel message to the Amazon River has turned into a dozen completed trips. Thanks to your support these trips have fed over 3,500 families and allowed over 20,000 people to hear the gospel message! Praise the Lord!

On December 15th our in-country staff, led by Pastor Eli, will embark on our 13th trip and we are seeking to supply the largest amount of food to date: enough to feed 500 families for a week. That would also be around 3,000 gospel conversations! In addition, we will be giving 900 children a gift bag with toys and the gospel message.

Click 
here to see a video from our Christmas trip in 2023.


Our goal is to raise $15,000 for this project. You can donate to this project now by visiting 
www.amazonvisionministries.org ​​​​​​and using the designated fund “Supply the River-Christmas ​​​​”, or by texting the word “give” to (352)677-2286.

Supply the Pastor: Pastoral Training Conferences (2024)

Earlier this year a door opened for Amazon Vision Ministries to assist a local indigenous group with pastoral training conferences to supply river pastors with much needed love, care, and theological training. During these 5-day trainings pastors and their wives from remote locations will be able to strengthen their Biblical foundation and be encouraged in their ministries. Click on
this link to hear from our team leaders about this project:


Our goal is to raise $30,000 for this project. This will cover the expenses for a January site visit and allow us to conduct two conferences in 2024. You can donate to this project now by visiting 
www.amazonvisionministries.org and using the designated fund “Pastoral Training Conferences”, or by texting the word “give” to (352)677-2286.

Hagekai Project (2024)

Hagekai or, Radical, is a program where Brazilian missionary couples are in-bedded in villages along the River for two years with the goal of establishing a church in that village. AVM is seeking to identify several of these Hagekai couples to support their ministry needs. This would give US teams an opportunity to partner with these couples, support their ministry, and ensure that evangelism and discipleship continue long after an AVM team leaves.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 for this project. This will cover the expenses for a vision trip to meet with several Hagekai couples and establish a relationship with them. You can donate to this project now by visiting 
www.amazonvisionminstries.org and using the designated fund “Hagekai Project”, or by texting the word “give” to (352)677-2286.

Ministry expenses (2024)

Our ministry is expanding and we are bringing on additional in-country staff to assist with the projects that are planned for 2024. To help off-set this we are seeking to raise $50,000 for operational expenses and for any new ministry doors that the Lord may open for AVM in the coming year. You can contribute to this now by visiting 
www.amazonvisionminstries.org and using the designated fund “General Operating Fund”, or by texting the word “give” to (352)677-2286.

In total, AVM’s fundraising goal for the next year is $100,000. Today, on Giving Tuesday, we are prayerfully seeking your continued financial support. Will you partner with our ministry through a one-time gift or a monthly pledge? You don’t have to be on the River to be a part of AVM. Every dollar works to bring the hope of Christ to the lost.

God bless you as you consider your future role in missions and our shared ministry, today and beyond!
​​​​​
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

 

The Hallelujah Man!

The below article was originally published in the Citrus County Chronicle on June 16th, 2023.

By Nancy Kennedy

Last November, when the opportunity to go on a medical missions trip to Brazil came up, Ken Hinkle felt God was telling him to go.

However, as Hinkle explained, he had been taking care of his wife, Martha, who had been going through cancer treatment for more than four years.

“I didn’t want to leave her,” Hinkle said. “Plus, I’m 73 and diabetic, I have a defibrillator and chronic kidney disease. But I knew God was saying, ‘I’ve got this.’ So, I stepped out in faith, put my trust in his hands that he would take care of Martha and signed up.”

Hinkle, the former Inverness city councilman and also a career sonographer, and a group from his church, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Inverness, recently returned from a nine-day trip to provide medical care to people in villages along the Amazon River.

They went as part of the Gainesville-based Amazon Vision Ministries, going to conduct a medical clinic for nearby villagers and do VBS (Vacation Bible School) for the kids.

“We went from Orlando to Panama City, Panama, then to Manaus, Brazil, then took a two-hour bus ride to Manicapura and then an eight-hour boat ride on the Amazon River just to get to where we were going,” Hinkle said.

Six weeks before the trip, his wife finished her chemotherapy and the following week a PET scan showed the cancer was gone.

“That was God’s answer to me that he was taking care of her,” Hinkle said.

So, at 73, the oldest person in the group, Hinkle took what he called a trip of a lifetime, providing medical care to some of the poorest people on earth.

The team had brought 10 50-pound bags of medical supplies, 500 pairs of reading glasses and a bunch of soccer balls.

“We did 40 or 50 ultrasounds, found some gallstones and an ovarian cancer, which was sad,” he said. “We did ultrasounds on three pregnant women and got to tell one that she was having a little boy, and she was thrilled.

“One woman, this was her 10th baby and she had never seen an ultrasound before, and she was ecstatic about seeing the baby before it was born. We saw more than 400 people in the clinic in six days.”

He said a lot of ministry took place, too.

“A young woman came in, depressed, wouldn’t lift up her head,” he said. “We learned that her 1-year-old son had drowned three months before.”

Hinkle said a nurse on their team had lost her own young son to a drowning accident years ago and was able to talk to the woman.

“She came all the way across the world because God knew this young woman would be there,” Hinkle said. “They talked for over an hour and the woman left with her head up and a smile.”

He said a few things surprised him. As poor as the people were, everyone had electricity and cellphones – and he saw push-button pay phones in the middle of the forest.

He said he also saw concrete roads in the middle of the jungle, but no cars.

“Everyone travels by boat,” he said, “long, skinny boats. The school ‘bus’ was a boat that goes up and down the river, stopping to pick up kids for school.”

Hinkle said while there he got a nickname.

One night he told his story about meeting and marrying his wife and about her cancer and how God has healed her.

“I’m a Baptist, and I’m pretty quiet in church,” he said, “but that night I raised my hands and shouted, ‘HALLELUJAH!’ After that they called me the Hallelujah Man.

“I’ve been a Christian for 53 years, and I’ve been on other mission trips in the U.S., but this one was different. This trip showed me what it means to totally rely on God. I’d been praying for Martha for years, many people have been praying for her, and I didn’t think I could leave her.

“But God said, ‘I got this,’ and I trusted him and he healed her. That doesn’t mean it (cancer) might not come back in the future, but for this point in time, he healed her.”

Nancy Kennedy can be reached at 352-564-2927 or by email at nkennedy@chronicleonline.com.

https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/local-man-ken-hinkle-steps-out-on-faith-for-missions-trip-to-the-amazon/article_98369dd9-bee9-5dae-9c86-7e6c277b6d1c.html. Accessed July 31st, 2023.

Supply the River: Tabatinga Edition!

by Michael Allen

Earlier this month Team One Chapel returned to the far west basin of the Amazon River in Tabatinga. Rich and Christi, led by the Lord, were able to bring the Supply the River food ministry to this part of Brazil. In addition to the food distributions they also had medical clinics, VBS, Bible studies, and 8 church services! In total they visited 5 different villages, supplied 200 families with food kits, and saw 120 patients in the medical clinics.

Pastor Eli, Rich, and Christi also taught discipleship lessons in Nova Ciudad which has become a training area to equip believers and send them out to more remote areas. The leaders in this training center have invited the team and AVM to be more involved in the training and equipping that is happening there. Please be in prayer over this as God may be opening more doors of ministry.

Team One Chapel will be returning to the River in September and has already started their process to build a team for the summer of 2024!

“…because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”

(1 Corinthians 16:9)

Team Cultivate Nashville

-By Michael Allen

 

In March Team Cultivate Nashville, led by Mike Taylor and Mark Jones, joined Pastor Eli on one of our Supply the River trips (see trip video here). During their trip along the Amazon River they were able to minister to and bring the hope of Christ to 7 villages. This included preaching the gospel message, discipleship, praying with and encouraging local missionaries, and supplying 300 families with food for a week. Overall, they were able to minister to nearly 500 people with many receiving Christ as Saviour!

 

Mike has expressed that they very much felt the Lord’s leadership during their time on the River. In one of the villages there was no church and no pastor, yet 50 people showed up to greet them and 35 attended a worship service! In that same village they were also able to lead a woman to Christ during a visit in her home! Praise the Lord! Mike also feels that God may be calling Cultivate to return and continue to work in 3 of the villages.

 

Please continue to pray for Cultivate Church and their leaders as they continue to look for opportunities to share the Hope of Christ in the West Amazon Basin of Brazil.

 

If you would like more information on how you can be a part of the Great Commission on the Amazon River please visit www.amazonvisionministries.org.