Our Missionaries


Our missionaries are normal people from all walks of life who have dedicated their lives to serving and following Jesus wherever He calls them. Want to meet them? Check out our Missionary Directory.

Jener and Vanessa Chaves

Jener and Vanessa Chaves

Missionaries to Brazil Central Caldas Novas

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Ministry Description

Serving the Lord as the administrator of Word of Life Caldas Novas, and as a receptionist for the Inn. We are also involved in various aspects of the ministry, including Day Camps, Camping Ministries, Inn Ministries, Leadership Training, etc.

About Jener

I wasn´t born in a Christian home, but I was the first one in my family to go to church, at the age of 6. Some of the Sunday school teachers from church would go by my house and invite me to go to church and although my parents were not Christians, they allowed me to go. As time went by, my whole family started going to church as well, but I was not sure about my salvation. On one occasion, when I was 17, we were at a barbecue among church friends and each of us had to say how we met Christ. When it was my turn, I didn´t know what to say. Then a couple of friends asked me if I was sure I was saved, and although I had been going to church all those years, I was not sure. That´s when I understood that I was a sinner and that only Jesus could save me from my sins and give me eternal life. In 2006 I was invited to work on staff at Word of Life Caldas Novas and I felt God´s calling to work in this ministry full time. I went to Bible Seminary in Atibaia, Brasil, in 2009, got married in 2010 and that same year we became full time missionaries with Word of Life Brazil in Caldas Novas.

About Vanessa

I was born in Brazil in a Catholic home, although we hardly ever went to church. The first time I heard the gospel was at school, in second grade, when someone from a local church came to share the Good News with our class. At that time we started going to evangelical churches as a family, but it wasn´t until I was 15 that I truly understood that I was a sinner and I needed Jesus to save me from my sins and give me eternal life. My family moved back and forth to the US. I ended up finishing High School and going to College in Texas. After I graduated from College I decided to go to Word of Life Bible Seminary in Atibaia – Brazil in 2004. I studied Christian Education for 3 years and right after graduation from Bible School I went to work as staff at Word of Life Caldas Novas. I met my husband there, he was also on staff. We got married in 2010 and have been serving together as full time missionaries at Word of Life Caldas Novas since then.

Life Verse

Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.