The Keystone Ministry Project
Scranton, Pennsylvania

The Beginning: The Limas Come to Scranton

In 2001, a new ministry began in Scranton, Pennsylvania, focusing on the 3,000 Portuguese-speaking people living in the region. Few evangelical churches ministered to these people.  The new work began through the missionary efforts of Antonio and Debora Lima.

The Lima Family Debora and Antonio Children Ana Beatriz and Anthony

The Limas, who are natives of Brazil, came to the United States shortly after their marriage in 1999. Following a year in Newark, New Jersey, they saw unmet ministry needs in northeast Pennsylvania and moved to Scranton.

Upon arrival in Scranton, Antonio and Debora launched their new ministry by focusing on the needs of singles and new arrivals. They started the Christian Singles Association. Next they established Samaritan House Ministries to provide orientation, housing, jobs, Christian counseling, and English classes for those arriving from Brazil. Then they launched the Community Christian Church. As they ministered they continually prayed for God’s Vision for the work.

The Vision: Christian Ministry and Pastoral Assistance Across the Region

As Antonio worked in Scranton, God began to show him other communities across the region without ministry. He shared the needs with Wayne Long, then Executive Director of the Hisportic Christian Mission under which he serves. The result was the Keystone ministry Project—a new and larger endeavor to serve Portuguese-speaking people living in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The goal is to provide Christian ministry and start churches across the region. The Ministry would be a cooperative effort of individuals, churches, and organizations working together to serve these people in Jesus’ name.  

The Impact: Maximum Results from Minimal Investments

Since 2001, Keystone Ministry has initiated many positive ministries:

• Samaritan House Ministry (2000)
• Community Christian Church, Scranton, PA (2001)
• Agape Christian Church, Allentown, PA (2003)
• Clothing Distribution Mission to Brazil’s impoverished northeast region (2004)
• Church of Christ, Anápolis, Brazil (2005)

The greatest impact, however, is best seen in the lives of people who have drawn near to God through Jesus Christ:

• Men and women enjoy new lives in Christ.
• Couples living in illicit relationships are married.
• Lost and bewildered people received valuable assistance.
• Newcomers find places to live, schools for their children, and a friend when they need to go to court.
• Unemployed people find jobs.
• Unchurched Christians find a place of worship in a language they understand.
• Discouraged and inactive ministers are restored to Christian service.  

The Need: The Growing Number of Portuguese-speaking People Requires Increase in Funding

In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, ethnic peoples, fueled by immigration, are the fastest growing segment of the population. Portuguese-speaking people are part of this increase. The number and size of communities without churches and pastoral assistance in Pennsylvania and New Jersey continue to grow. It is imperative that concerned people invest in these people, extending God’s love and care to them.

Antonio and Debora launched their ministry by faith. They trusted God to provide for their needs. As the ministry grew so did their family, putting a strain on their finances.

Today, Keystone Ministry churches in Allentown and Scranton have facilities capable of serving more than four hundred people. There are, however, more than 5,000 Portuguese-speaking people living in these communities. Many are Christians who need pastoral care and assistance. Others need to hear and respond to the Good News of God’s love in Christ. In addition to these communities, there are many other areas with little or no pastoral ministry.

In 2001, it was relatively easy for the Limas and interested missions-minded individuals to underwrite the costs of the ministry. Today the size and scope of the work is significantly larger. What began as a vision of two people today numbers in the hundreds. Additional ministry operation money is needed. Gasoline to visit new people, along with other materials and supplies, must be purchased. Building rents come due every month. The evangelist needs to be compensated.

The need is for $35,000 per year in operation money which will allow the scope of the ministry to expand in these areas:

• Increase the evangelist’s availability for pastoral ministry and visitation
• Strengthen the ministry to children and youth
• Reinforce the leadership training program
• Intensify the evangelism and discipleship outreach

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