Missionaries > Brazil

After graduating with a degree in Chemistry, Diego Lacerda began teaching the subject and dedicating himself to biblical studies. He studied at the Maranatha Seminary and Bible Institute (SIBIMA), where he earned a Bachelor of Theology with an emphasis in missions in 2015, and a Master of Theology (ThM) in Systematic Theology in 2019. He served as a professor in undergraduate programs at SIBIMA and the Charles Spurgeon School in Fortaleza until 2018.

In November 2013, Diego and his wife Vanessa began their ministry at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church. Initially serving as associate pastor, Diego became lead pastor in late 2014. Together, they worked in ministries with children, teens, young adults, and adults. Vanessa, who holds a degree in Environmental Engineering, also served in the AWANA ministry from 2004 to 2018. As pastor of Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, Diego helped plant a new church in the Bom Jardim neighborhood and trained new pastors. The Lacerda family concluded their ministry in Fortaleza in December 2018, having served six years at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church.

In November 2018, their son Noah Lacerda was born, and on February 9, 2019, the Lacerda family moved to Southern Brazil to engage in church planting and leadership training among German, Italian, and Gaúcho (cowboy) communities. Initially, the Lacerda family joined two teams in two different cities. In Sapiranga, they worked with Mark Stucky and his family until January 2024. Today, that church has its own building and a faithful membership. Mark Stucky continues serving in Sapiranga.

The other city where the Lacerdas started and still continue their ministry is Dois Irmãos. They are working with a team from ABWE, where Pastor Diego serves as the lead pastor, overseeing preaching, evangelism, and discipleship. The missions ministry is also being developed in Dois Irmãos, and the church has begun investing in church planting in other regions.

In 2019, their daughter Julia Lacerda was born.

That same year, Diego began teaching at the Southern Bible Seminary, and in 2020 he became the seminary director, a role in which he continues to serve.

​

Thank you for praying for them!