Faithfully discovering Christ and diligently obeying His Commision to all believers to share the Good News of Salvation for everyone. We accept the responsibility and accountability for the Gift of Salvation. We believe God has Divinely equipped every person uniquely to serve humanity and to worship God.
THEREZINHA BARBALHO
Pastor Therezinha Barbalho felt called to the pastoral ministry at the age of 18. She attended the Seminary at the Adventist University of Sao Paulo, UNASP, where she graduated in Theology with emphasis in Biblical Languages, in 1990.
After graduation she was called to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Belém, São Paulo, where she served as a Bible worker for two years. In 1993, she went to Law School, graduating in 1998, as a licensed lawyer in Brazil. Even as she worked as a lawyer, Therezinha continued serving as a volunteer minister for 13 years in that same church in Belém.
In 2004, Therezinha received a call from the New Jersey Conference, in the United States, to be the associate pastor at the Luso-Brazilian SDA Church in Newark, where she worked for five and a half years.
Pastor Therezinha accepted a call from the Potomac Conference in 2009, to be the senior pastor of the Richmond Brazilian SDA Church. There she had the opportunity to hold her first baptismal ceremony, which was followed by many others during the five years of her ministry in Richmond.
In 2014 she attended seminary at Andrews University, where she completed the Master of Divinity degree with emphasis in Mission.
Following seminary, she was called by the Potomac Conference in 2017 to be senior pastor of the Silver Spring SDA Church, where she works to date. Therezinha enjoys working with her Silver Spring Church family. Her goal is to make Jesus known and loved by the downtown community of Silver Spring and its surroundings. Her favorite Bible promise is "I will go before you and will level the Mountains" Isaiah 45: 2.
As one who has a passion for human diversity and loves to serve all who need to hear the gospel of salvation; regardless of race, color, social status, or beliefs; her greatest dream is to see Jesus return within her lifetime.
Therezinha has been married to Zeli Leite, a maestro pianist and composer, for 26 years. They have a beautiful, lovely daughter, Rafaella, who is the inspiration of their ministry.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Christian church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to enhance quality of life for people everywhere and to let people know that Jesus is coming again soon.
Adventists believe a Trinity of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—make up one God. They made salvation possible when Jesus, the Son, came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem and lived a sinless life in accordance with the Father's will. When Jesus was crucified for the sins of the people of the world and arose from the dead on the third day, victory was won for everyone.
When He returned to heaven following the resurrection, Jesus left the Holy Spirit to serve as our Comforter and Counselor. He promised to return to earth a second time to complete His plan of salvation and take His people to heaven. Adventists are among the believers who look forward to that day.
Adventists believe that God is concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything—the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat each other, and care for the world around us—is part of His plan. Our families, our children, our jobs, our talents, our money, and our time are all important to Him.
