our history

We have a long history that began in 1952 through the ministry of Pastor Eduardo Lessa. After serving in the Amazon River communities as a translator he felt called to be a missionary on the river.

His ministry has evolved into Amazon Vida under the leadership of his son Pastor Elmer Lessa. The vision was to start a work in the Amazon village of Parintins that would touch other areas of the jungle and eventually the world.

Over seventy years later, First Baptist Church of Parintins is still growing today despite the hardship and persecution that he encountered. The church has seen second and third generation churches planted in the surrounding villages.

Amazon Vida is the result of the outreach ministry of First Baptist Church of Parintins to the surrounding villages. The ministry has expanded to include a network of churches and six seminary extensions that serve three countries with training in theology, community development and vocational training.