History of The Movement
The Free Will Baptist movement is expanding in Brazil, the result of the labor, vision, and obedience of God´s servants, pioneer missionaries Bobby and Sue Aycock. They came to Brazil in 1960, where they served the Lord for more than forty years.
From the beginning, Brother Bobby said their desire was to start one church each year. The first part of their ministry was spent in the state of São Paulo, where they started two churches and a mission work.
After a survey trip to the needy state of Minas Gerais, the Aycock family moved to Barbacena in 1972. Bro. Bobby started a radio ministry there that reached into the homes of many Brazilians. He built the First Free Will Baptist Church in Barbecena in 1978. After seven years of teaching and pastoring in the United States during the 80´s, the Aycocks returned to Brazil in the early 1990´s. They resumed the pastorate of the First Church in Barbacena which had been in decline and began to see fruit. Several were called to the ministry and a Bible Institute was formed to train pastors.
While pastoring and teaching, the Aycock´s vision was for expansion. By faith, they built four churches in five years. They began to place qualified seminary students in leadership roles. In 1997, Bobby Aycock´s son, David and his wife, Annette, along with their four children joined the effort in the Barbecena work. David is currently living in Barbecena, serving as the director of the seminary, pastoring the Hope Free Will Baptist Church that he founded, and continuing the legacy of his father.
The Moore family came to the Barbacena region in 2005, adding to the growth of the movement.
Bobby and Sue Aycock officially retired from missionary service in Brazil in 2007. However, through occasional visits and mission trips, they continue to be actively involved in the movement they started.
In speaking to a youth group, Bro. Bobby commented, "If I had 100 lives, I would give them all to build churches here in Brazil! "
From the beginning, Brother Bobby said their desire was to start one church each year. The first part of their ministry was spent in the state of São Paulo, where they started two churches and a mission work.
After a survey trip to the needy state of Minas Gerais, the Aycock family moved to Barbacena in 1972. Bro. Bobby started a radio ministry there that reached into the homes of many Brazilians. He built the First Free Will Baptist Church in Barbecena in 1978. After seven years of teaching and pastoring in the United States during the 80´s, the Aycocks returned to Brazil in the early 1990´s. They resumed the pastorate of the First Church in Barbacena which had been in decline and began to see fruit. Several were called to the ministry and a Bible Institute was formed to train pastors.
While pastoring and teaching, the Aycock´s vision was for expansion. By faith, they built four churches in five years. They began to place qualified seminary students in leadership roles. In 1997, Bobby Aycock´s son, David and his wife, Annette, along with their four children joined the effort in the Barbecena work. David is currently living in Barbecena, serving as the director of the seminary, pastoring the Hope Free Will Baptist Church that he founded, and continuing the legacy of his father.
The Moore family came to the Barbacena region in 2005, adding to the growth of the movement.
Bobby and Sue Aycock officially retired from missionary service in Brazil in 2007. However, through occasional visits and mission trips, they continue to be actively involved in the movement they started.
In speaking to a youth group, Bro. Bobby commented, "If I had 100 lives, I would give them all to build churches here in Brazil! "
