Inspired by the German language Lebensbrotkalender, the first copy of The Messenger was created in 1984 by Peter Pauls. Peter was a man greatly used by God.
He believed that his inspiration was a plan from God, so that everyone would know the Word and the truth. With over 30 years of existence, The Messenger continues to grow with each passing day, and has been a small book of great help to many people who receive and acquire it. Peter Pauls was honored as an honorary citizen of Palmeira by Law No. 2,477 of June 14, 2006, due to the relevant services provided to the municipality, through the common good, solidarity and religious values.
In 2008, Peter Pauls was honored by the National Congress, and described as an enlightened person who knew how to put his talent at the service of the community. A remarkable, supportive, truly exemplary person, who we need so much in this country as an example of conduct and support for the community. With the invaluable support of his friends, he dedicated his entire life to alleviating poverty in the localities and helping needy people so that they could have a better and more dignified life.”
Peter Pauls, son of Peter and Ana Pauls, had 10 other siblings and was the oldest. He lived in Ibirama, Santa Catarina, and at the age of 15 he left home to study, with the intention of returning to his community a few years later to teach his siblings and other young people. After spending six years in a seminary in Rio Grande do Sul, he returned and fulfilled his obligation. In Witmarsum, in the late 1950s, Peter became a teacher and taught in adapted classrooms for students who made sacrifices to be able to get to their places of study. He graduated in Germanic literature from the Catholic University of Paraná, in Curitiba, and since then has carried out various pedagogical, intellectual and social service activities.
Pauls was the founder of the gymnasium in He graduated from high school in 1960 and from high school in 1975 in Witmarsum. He taught several subjects, assisted by other professionals from Curitiba, Ponta Grossa and Palmeira. He visited Germany dozens of times to conduct studies and research, and gave lectures in the United States and Canada. He also published a book in German, in which he tells the story of Witmarsum, in addition to five other works that addressed the trajectory of the Mennonites. Peter was also the author of several articles and reports on Brazilian issues for newspapers in Germany, Canada and Brazil.
On August 19, 1988, he founded the AMB with the intention of reducing people's material and spiritual needs. The religious entity is supported by donations and is non-profit. In all projects developed by the organization, the dissemination of religious values is used as a “driving force” for the economic and social restoration of people from all corners of the country.
AMB helps families and children through sponsorships, promotes courses and seminars where people can learn about essential issues, such as hygiene, health, responsibility and education, in addition to offering scholarships so that young people who come from humble families have the chance to have a good education.
In these projects, in addition to emergency and temporary aid, the organization promotes the distribution of clothing and food, construction of houses and care for the sick, as well as aid that has long-term effects.
Pr. Peter Pauls 1933 / 2016