Tom and Linda Gilmer : February 2026 Prayer Letter

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

Dear Friends of Zion:
Thank you for “holding the ropes” for our ministries by your prayers and offerings, which touch not only Brazil but other countries and people who speak Portuguese but live elsewhere, such as in Israel. We are deeply grateful for the generous offerings received during the Christmas season. The Lord provided in advance for unpredicted ministerial and personal needs. To God be the glory for His provision!

The three salvation decisions last month took place at our front gate. A man selling plastic bags–looking more like a beggar than a salesman, with two children in tow–came by at a very inconvenient moment. His wife had left home, and he had no one to take care of the children. GOD gave me grace to patiently talk with them and present GOD’s plan of salvation in CHRIST. Even the children understood and called on the LORD. We shared with them how to find a Baptist church in their distant area of São Paulo, how to download the BBN Radio App and also watch our first church on YouTube. They all left with Bibles that were donated by one of the Bearing Precious Seed ministries. How privileged we are to have so many resources available to help new believers grow in the LORD.

Brother Francisco Aires feels called to be an evangelist. He is a wee little man who loves street corner evangelism geared to children and the curious. I was able to help him see how, as a retiree, he can do a great work of evangelization through the local church. He now witnesses in the area around T.B.I. (Templo Batista de Indianópolis), our first church, of which he is a member, and conducts a short Thursday-noon service at T.B.I. for any passerby who cares to come in. God has used him in the conversion and liberation of many alcoholics.

Maria do Espírito Santo Souza is also a vibrant soulwinner, a certified caregiver who works in private homes and hospitals and loves Israel. She feels called to be a missionary. I have shown her that, even without the title, she is already being a very effective lay missionary. Even so, she plans to enroll in the main Bible Institute with which we cooperate or the online Seminary that Pastor Marcos (pastor of T.B.I.) conducts. She opened the door for Sunday afternoon services in a rest home near T.B.I. where several Jews reside. She is very active with a hospital chaplaincy office and enjoys the freedom to witness, distribute tracts, New Testaments, or even whole Bibles furnished through our Bible ministry. Maria reports salvation decisions almost every week. Praise the Lord! May He continue to bless.

Yours for the Messiah,
Tom and Linda Gilmer

PRAISE:

1. Salvation decisions: 3
2. Body of last Israeli hostage released and returned to Israel.
3. New Thursday noon meeting at T.B.I. (first church).
4. Weekly informal meeting at a home for the elderly, where several Jewish people reside–another new outreach for T.B.I. (first church).

PRAYER:

1. Salvation decisions of Jews and Gentiles.
2. Upcoming conferences.
3. Linda´s healing from erysipelas and foot and knee issues.
4. Tom’s Documents: Permanent residence card and Brazilian driver’s license
5. Wisdom for Pr. Marcos, preparing members for new ministry opportunities in the new building.