34 years ago, God gave John D. Hemphill Jr. a vision. A vision of long-lasting friendship and evangelism. That vision was to continue bringing a team down to Brazil to spread the Gospel and to create bonds between churches here and churches there. He helped build churches and community and ministry centers all over Southern Brazil. 

Like Paul, when God called him to go on his 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys, John was called to come back to the churches he helped build. His God-given vision was fulfilled. Friendships were made, the Gospel was spread, and God had his hand in those places.

While continuing to lead teams to Brazil over the years, other opportunities to other countries opened up including medical mission trips to Guatemala, Peru, hurricane relief/ rebuild in Jamaica and a  ministry trip to Egypt.

Brazil was just in his blood. In 2014, led by his son Rob Hemphill, a team of students traveled down to Brusque, Brazil to begin Mission: Possible. They worked with the same church John helped construct. John was lucky to go on the first 3 trips; however, due to medical reasons, he was not able to attend the rest of the trips. His heart was still there. Everyone we worked with in Brazil knew who John was and constantly asked about him and continuously prayed for him to get better so he could come back. 

John Hemphill's legacy in Brazil was one only God could bring about. He would constantly tell people this: "I've tried and tried and tried, but no matter what, I can never find a way to out-love the people in Brazil." This is a huge part of what kept him wanting to return and share God's love. He could have chosen any other place to do this, but he knew he had a constant calling to Brazil. A calling that has carried on to his son and grandson, Robert and James respectively. 

As we honor his life for the rest of ours, we would like to ask that instead of donating flowers, gifts, money to us, etc., that you would instead donate to this fund. This fund is going to go directly to 3 of the churches/community ministry centers that he helped build and returned to every year. These are:

- Nurrevi - a men's rehab ministry, in which he helped build.

- The CADI - a community center built in a favela in Florianópolis. The government did not, and still does not, recognize this community. In response, John and a team helped start and build the CADI. After-school classes and sports clinics are held there for the children to participate in. A local church runs this community center now and consistently holds Vacation Bible Schools for these children of the community. 

- PIB de Brusque - A baptist church in downtown Brusque, built by John and a team from FBC WInter Park in 1995, that included his son Rob. In 2014, Rob and John reached back out to this church through the help of god friends and missionaries, Ron and Alana Greenwich. We worked with them year after year, and eventually they gained a foothold in the public schools and english learning facilities around the city. A lot of the original faithful members still attended the church, and they have become life-long friends to every team Rob and John bring down.

This was an easy decision to make when thinking about where the donations should go, as John would have never even second-guessed it. If you cannot donate, we would ask you to continuously pray for these facilities. God is still doing amazing wonders in each of them. 

We love you all and appreciate your consideration.

Love, the Hemphill family and the Brazil teams!