Welcome to Whispers of Faith. I am Yury, and I am so glad you have found your way to this space.
At my core, I am someone deeply invested in the well-being, healing, and spiritual growth of people. My life and work are anchored entirely in the love and truth of Jesus, and my greatest passion is helping others experience the fullness of God’s purpose for their lives.
A Calling to Ministry I currently have the honor of serving as a pastor for Lagoinha Baptist Church. Over the past 15 years in pastoral and missionary leadership, my journey has been broad, hands-on, and deeply transformative. I hold two theological degrees, alongside specializations in leadership and mental health. My background has led me to serve in a wide variety of environments—from prison ministry and supporting children facing hunger and abuse, to youth leadership and couples ministry. Through church planting, public speaking, teaching English, and providing dedicated pastoral care, I have seen firsthand the incredible resilience of the human spirit when met with grace.
My Heart for the Community My daily work is rooted in walking alongside people during their most challenging seasons. As a Community Support Worker with Equip Mental Health Services here in Auckland, I have the privilege of offering practical support to individuals navigating mental health journeys. It isn’t just a job; it is a daily practice of empathy and active listening.
To deepen this calling and expand how I can serve our community, I am currently pursuing a Master of Applied Social Work at Massey University. Bridging my 15 years of pastoral experience with rigorous social work training allows me to bring a truly holistic approach to those I serve—caring for both the spiritual and the practical, everyday needs of a person.
Beyond the Work Before I am a pastor, student, or community worker, I am a deeply passionate father and husband. My wife, Deidre, and our two children are my greatest joy and my daily reminder of what truly matters. Whether it is managing the beautiful chaos of the daily school runs or cooking a quiet meal together at home, they keep me grounded and constantly teach me new facets of God’s unconditional love.
Why This Blog? I created Whispers of Faith as a digital sanctuary—a place to share stories, reflections, and insights in both English and Portuguese. Whether I am writing a devotional or sharing lessons from the frontline of community work, I understand that faith isn’t lived in a vacuum; it is lived in the messy, beautiful reality of everyday life.
Take a deep breath, stay a while, and be reminded of the hope we have in Him. If a post resonates with you, or if you simply need someone to pray with, please don’t hesitate to reach out through the Contact page.
