Tom and Linda Gilmer : September 2025 Prayer Letter

Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Linda Gilmer – Church Planter, Bible Translation in São Paulo, Brazil

September 2025
Dear Friends of Zion:
Linda and I are grateful for your faithful prayer and financial support.

On April 31st, the 58th anniversary of our first church, Templo Batista de Indianópolis (TBI), was celebrated with a potluck dinner and much Christian fellowship. You may remember that, in 2022, TBI swapped its properties and buildings for a smaller plot of land in a less expensive area a few blocks away, where a sevenstory building would be built with underground parking. The building is completed, and the “finishing” process is underway and awaiting the “habite-se” (Occupancy Permit), a government fiscal certification that declares the construction safe to open to the public. The original location was a block and a half from the Ibirapuera Shopping Center. The new building is four blocks away on the street that leads directly into the Shopping Center garage. Pedestrians go by constantly. The dedication of the new building is on the horizon!

Researching past prayer letters and documents for Linda’s writing a short history of the church, we found a sketch of a seven-story building we dreamed of in 1986. The actual building is almost identical–built nearly 40 years later, at a new, better location, free from the floods that tormented the church frequently at the original site. The ideal is to have a Christian Day School at the church during the week. Two or three more years will be required to obtain government permission for that. In the meantime, we work toward that goal.

On April 30th, we celebrated the 59th anniversary of our arrival in Brazil and my 84th birthday. What a birthday present I received! The oncologist that did the surgery on my left ear informed me that my right ear needs the same procedure. Pre-operative exams are scheduled. Soon my ears may look the same size again!

May God continue to bless.

Yours for the Messiah,
Tom and Linda Gilmer

PRAISE:

1.Professions of faith: 5.
2.T.B.I. deaf ministry expanding and other projects progressing.
3.Multiple events by Jewish organizations in recent days gave opportunities to meet new people and witness.
4.Celebrated our 59th anniversary in Brazil and 58th anniversary of our first church.

PRAYER:

1. Salvation decisions of Jews and Gentiles.
2. Release of Jewish hostages.
3. Wisdom and help for Pr. Marcos (a) as the finishing touches are being done on the new church building and (b) as members are being prepared for new ministry opportunities with the larger building.
4. Tom´s upcoming surgery on his right ear.
5. Linda’s complete healing from erysipelas.