Get to Know the de Oliveira Family

Ministry Description

Since August 2024, Richard has served as the Executive Director of Word of Life Northern Brazil. His role includes overseeing team leadership, making administrative decisions, preaching in churches, teaching at the Bible Institute, and engaging in other ministry opportunities.

Yohanna is involved in teaching at the Bible Institute and mentoring women, including students and missionaries.

Learn more about the ministry in Brazil North Belem.

About Richard

I am Brazilian and was born into a Catholic family. During my childhood, my parents divorced. At the age of 17, I put my faith in Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord.

In 1994, I began my studies at Word of Life Bible College in São Paulo, Brazil, earning a bachelor's degree in Theology with a major in Pastoral Ministry in December 1998. During my time there, I met Yohanna, and we married in September 1999. We have two children, Ruth (born in 2001) and Nathan (born in 2003).

From 1998 to 2004, I served as a pastor at my home church. In January 2005, we moved from Southeast Brazil to begin ministering with Word of Life in Northern Brazil. During this time (2005-2019), I served as the director and teacher of the Word of Life Missionary Institute. In December 2006, I completed my Master of Divinity (MDiv) in Practical Theology at Faculdade Teológica Sul Americana in Londrina, Brazil. Later, in May 2016, I earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.

In December 2019, my family and I transitioned from our ministry in Northern Brazil to serve with Word of Life Hungary, where I led the Bible Institute until June 2023.

In July 2024, Yohanna and I returned to Word of Life Northern Brazil, where I now serve as Executive Director.

About Yohanna

I am Brazilian and came to faith in the Lord Jesus at the age of twelve in a church in Recife, Brazil. With the support of my family and church, I enrolled at Word of Life Bible College in São Paulo in February 1994. There, I met Richard, and we married in 1999. A year earlier, I had graduated with a bachelor's degree in Theology, majoring in Missions and Christian Education.

From 2005 to 2019, our family served as missionaries with Word of Life in Northern Brazil. I was working in various ministries, including teaching, organizing women's conferences, and discipleship. In May 2010, I earned a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Columbia International University in Columbia, SC, USA.

Now, my husband and I are once again serving in Northern Brazil.

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Contact Information

richardoliveira@wol.org
Skype: richard.everson.de.oliveira