Reis, José Amador dos (1891–1935)

José Amador dos Reis was a canvasser, Bible instructor, and the first ordained Brazilian Seventh-day Adventist pastor in Brazil.

Early Years

Born on November 15, 1891, in the city of Rolante, state of Rio Grande do Sul, José Amador dos Reis was the last son of seven children of Luduvina and Rodrigo Amador dos Reis.¹ Around 1904, the Reis family was one of the first to come to the Adventist faith through the evangelistic work of the first missionaries who arrived in that region. At twelve years of age, José Amador was baptized in the Rolante River.² Around 1907, the first Adventist school of Rolante was organized in the Amador family house, and in 1913, was transferred to the church building. Today, Escola Adventista Pastor Ivo Souza [Pastor Ivo Souza Adventist School] has more than 100 years of uninterrupted service.³

José had his first studies at the local public school and later enrolled at a school in Cantagalo, a nearby town.⁴ In early 1911, at nineteen years of age, he was invited by H. Tonjes to work as an evangelist/canvasser, then publishing director in the Rio Grande do Sul Conference, which covered the entire state. José Amador accepted the invitation, being at first assisted by the director in order to be better instructed in this new activity. He canvassed over the next two years, visiting farms and villages, commonly traveling on muleback.⁵

His first canvassing colleagues were Antônio Souza and José Mendes de Oliveira.⁶ During 1912, these three worked in many cities such as Rolante, Campestre, Cantagalo, Conquista, Santa Maria da Boca do Monte, Canoas, Taquari, Venâncio Aires, Santa Cruz, Candelária, Passo Fundo, and Soledade.⁷ In 1913, along with José Mendes de Oliveira, Amador canvassed in the cities of São Gabriel, Lavras, Caçapava, and Dom Pedrito.⁸

Ministry

Around April 1913, Emanuel C. Ehlers, president of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference, invited José to be a Bible instructor in Porto Alegre, the state capital, assisting in a series of meetings held by Pastor Ehlers. In 1914, Amador’s name appears in the report of the ninth session of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference, having received a credential as a Bible instructor.⁹ On September 21 of that year, José Amador married Amélia Ritter (1894-1991), in the city of Taquara, also in Rio Grande do Sul State.¹⁰

In 1915, the administrative board of the local field decided to offer a preparatory course to their workers, something that had never been done in the country before. Henrique Meyer led the course, which opened on May 17 of that year. Twelve subjects were offered; among them were biblical doctrines, universal history, Adventist Church work organization, language, and methodology. The course took place in the city of Candelária, Rio Grande do Sul, and lasted for three months.¹¹

On July 8, 1915, the couple's only son, Romeu Ritter dos Reis (1915-1993), was born in Taquara.¹² Romeu graduated from theology at Brazil College (now Central Adventist University of Sao Paulo) in 1935, and was a lecturer, copywriter, and teacher in the Church for 18. After this period, he dedicated himself fully to the educational area. He was director of the College of Law Ritter dos Reis Institute, current Centro Universitário Ritter dos Reis (UniRitter), and was founder and first director of Paraná Adventist Academy (now Parana Adventist College¹³) and of Porto Alegre College of Education, Sciences and Letters (Fapa). He also served as a lawyer in the Porto Alegre forum.¹⁴

After attending the course in Candelária, José concentrated his work in Porto Alegre, but he often traveled to visit families, groups, and isolated churches scattered throughout the state.¹⁵ By interacting with many German and American pastors, he learned German and English.¹⁶ By that time, he had already learned much of the German language and started to accompany and interpret for Ernenputsch, a German missionary who began working in Brazilian territory in Rio Grande do Sul.¹⁷

At the end of 1915, he held a series of meetings in the city of Sertão.¹⁸ On February 25 of the following year, he received a licensed minister credential at the annual meeting of Rio Grande do Sul Conference.¹⁹ In early 1917, he contracted smallpox and doctors discouraged him in view of the diagnosis. However, he regained his health, and the conference gave him an opportunity to study in Brazil,²⁰ thus becoming the first seminary student at that institution.²¹ The course was conducted from July to December 1917;²² and after the end of the program on January 2, 1918, he returned to Rio Grande do Sul.²³

At first, the local conference decided to send him to the city of Cruz Alta, but that decision was postponed. José Amador stayed in Porto Alegre for six months, serving as translator for the American missionary H. F. Neumman and helping him learn Portuguese.²⁴ After that period, on June 30, 1918, he left for Cruz Alta²⁵ where he held two evangelistic series. During this time, the credentials committee recommended that he be ordained to the pastoral ministry. After the conclusion of the series of meetings, he was charged with the responsibility of conducting evangelism throughout the entire mountain region of the state, making long trips to visit churches and groups.²⁶

In 1920, the 14th annual assembly of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference was held in Porto Alegre from April 1 to 10. On the last day of the event, on a Sabbath afternoon, José Amador dos Reis was ordained to the ministry, thus becoming the first ordained Brazilian pastor. The ceremony was conducted by Pastor W. E. Howell, representing the General Conference. J. W. Westphal, field secretary of the South American Division, and Pastor John Lipke joined Howell at the consecration and laying on of hands.²⁷

After his ordination, José Amador served in Cruz Alta for another year. In the meantime, an Adventist school was opened at the local church, for which Amélia Ritter dos Reis was chosen as teacher.²⁸ Shortly after, in March 1921, the 15th annual assembly of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference was held at Santa Maria. The event aroused such interest in the city that the conference decided to send one of its workers there, choosing pastor José Amador.²⁹

José conducted a series of evangelistic meetings there shortly after his arrival. Afterward, he traveled to many places throughout the state holding baptisms in Botucaraí, Três Vendas, São Vicente, Jaguaraí, Palmeira das Missões, Rolante, Conquista, and Campestre.³⁰ He also worked in São Leopoldo and held baptisms in Taquara do Mundo Novo and Cachoeira, located in the city of Três Vendas.³¹ In Santa Maria, he studied philosophy and logic with a lawyer,³² but also faced health problems.³³

In 1926, José Amador assisted F. R. Kümpel in a series of meetings in Porto Alegre.³⁴ Months later, he left for São Borja, where he held other evangelistic series together with Siegfried Hoffman.³⁵ Then he received a call from the São Paulo Conference to be pastor of the São Paulo Central City Church, which, at the time, held their worship services at a small rented hall on Pedro Américo Road.³⁶ José Amador dos Reis traveled to São Paulo in June of that year. From October to December, he led a series of meetings in the district of Brás, along with the evangelist Pastor Jerônimo Garcia and Bible instructor Iracema Zorub.³⁷ As a result of that work, a church was built on the same site where the meetings had been held.³⁸ In addition, during May 1927, he conducted baptisms in rural areas of the state such as in Nova Odessa, Rio Claro, and Jaú.³⁹

In October of the following year, he started a new evangelistic series in the Vila Mariana District, assisted by Rodolfo Belz and Iracema Zorub.⁴⁰ At the time, there were no printed Bible studies. José Amador himself prepared Bible study guides so the people who desired to be baptized could study by themselves, in addition to the personal assistance of a church worker.⁴¹ Over time, the hall rented by the church that assembled at Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves Avenue, Travessa São João Avenue, became too small for the number of members who gathered there.⁴² On June 10, 1928, José participated in laying the cornerstone for a new church that later would be built at 88 Rua Taguá, Liberdade District.⁴³ In December, he made another trip throughout the state, at the request of Pastor Jerônimo Garcia.⁴⁴

Last Years

On December 29, 1928, a Sabbath, José Amador held the São Paulo Central Church’s first baptism at the unfinished building, baptizing 38 people. He also carried out other pastoral activities during the day. When he returned home late at night, he felt

the first effects of the disease that years later would lead to his death. A few days later, during the quadrennial meeting of the South-Brazilian Union, he had a fever and was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, which was confirmed by X-ray. At that time his lungs were already compromised by the disease. He had to leave his job and Rodolfo Belz took his place in early April 1929.⁴⁵

José went to Caldas Novas, Minas Gerais, where he spent some time in search of a suitable climate for his recovery. He then moved to São José dos Campos, São Paulo State, to be treated at the local Hospital Evangélico [Evangelical Hospital].⁴⁶ That same year, on May 18, the São Paulo Church was dedicated. However, Pr. José Amador do Reis, disabled by the disease, was unable to attend the ceremony.⁴⁷ After more than half a year in São José dos Campos undergoing medical treatment, he decided to return to Rio Grande do Sul since the medical care was not working. He made this decision in part due to his mother's request, who was very worried and insisted in letters that José needed to return to Rio Grande do Sul. At the end of 1929, he left for Rolante, where he stayed for many months before moving again, now to Canela, a place the climate of which was favorable to his condition and helped him improve. Within a short time, he began to give Bible studies to a group there.⁴⁸ Afterward, he moved to Gramado, a place where the cold weather affected his health again.⁴⁹

In 1933, José Amador moved to Cachoeira do Sul, a warmer city located in the same state. Feeling that his health was getting worse, he returned to Rolante, where he preached at the local church a few times. In March 1935, he was already sensing his death, and during a local youth conference asked Pastor Jerônimo Garcia to officiate at his funeral. Shortly after, he woke up during the night with severe hemoptysis. Days later, on May 23, José passed away and was buried at the Pioneers Cemetery, located in the backyard of the Rolante Church. The funeral was held by Pastor A. C. Harder, because Jerônimo Garcia was unable to do so due to a cold.⁵⁰

Contribution

José Amador dos Reis is an important figure for the SDA Church in Brazil as the first Brazilian Adventist pastor who was ordained to the ministry. As a canvasser, Bible instructor and pastor, he had a successful ministry and took the Adventist message to many people and assisted in the organizing many churches throughout the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In addition, he carried out pioneer work in the state of São Paulo, holding fruitful series of meetings in São Paulo City, particularly in the districts of Brás and Vila Mariana, where he was known for his efforts in constructing the Central Church building. Interestingly though, he received an invitation to be president of the São Paulo Conference, but rejected it saying, “I am a pastor and evangelist and in this work I will remain until my death.”⁵¹

Sources

“Dr. Romeu Ritter dos Reis.” Revista Adventista, April 1993.

“Pastor José Amador dos Reis.” Revista Adventista, July 1935.

“Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Adventista, August 1918.

“Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Adventista, February 1918.

“Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Adventista, February 1924.

“Setenta Anos Educando.” Revista Adventista, December 1983.

Amador dos Reis, José. “Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul.” Revista Adventista, April 1918.

Belz, Rodolpho W. “São Paulo (Capital).” Revista Adventista, February 1930.

César de Azevedo, Roberto “Instituo Adventista de Ensino, 90 Anos Depois.” Revista Adventista, March 1988.

de Oliveira, Gideon. “José Amador dos Reis, Um Herói do Adventismo no Brasil.” Revista Adventista, October 1950.

Johnson, J. B. “Serviços de Inauguração do Novo Templo de S. Paulo.” Revista Adventista, July 1929.

Nielsen, N. P. “Encontrando Observadores do Sabbado.” Revista Adventista, July 1926.

Nielsen, N. P. “Notas de Progresso.” Revista Adventista, February 1926.

Pinheiro, Paulo “Escola mais antiga do Brasil faz 75 anos.” Revista Adventista, May 1989.

Ritter dos Reis, Romeu. “Amélia Ritter dos Reis.” Revista Adventista, April 1991.

Ritter dos Reis, Romeu. “José Amador dos Reis cem anos depois.” Revista Adventista, November 1991.

Schmidt, Ivan, José Amador dos Reis Vida e Obra, Porto Alegre, RS: Instituto Ritter dos Reis, 1970.

Schmidt, Ivan, José Amador dos Reis, Pastor e Pioneiro, 1st edition, Santo André, SP: Brazilian Publishing House, 1980.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Washington D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1921.

Notes

1. Ivan Schmidt, José Amador dos Reis, Pastor e Pioneiro (Santo André, SP: Brazilian Publishing House, 1980), 13, 15.↩

2. Ibid., 16.↩

3. “Setenta Anos Educando,” Revista Adventista, December 1983, 30; Pinheiro, Paulo, “Escola mais antiga do Brasil faz 75 anos,” Revista Adventista, May 1989, 26.↩

4. Ibid., 16, 17.↩

5. Ibid.↩

6. Gideon de Oliveira, “José Amador dos Reis, Um Herói do Adventismo no Brasil,” Revista Adventista, October 1950, 28.↩

7. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 20, 22.↩

8. Ibid., 22, 23.↩

9. Ibid., 23, 24.↩

10. Ibid., 26; Romeu Ritter dos Reis, “Amélia Ritter dos Reis,” Revista Adventista, April 1991, 34.↩

11. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 27-30.↩

12. “Dr. Romeu Ritter dos Reis,” Revista Adventista, April 1993, 27.↩

13. In South America, a college is a secondary level school.↩

14. Ibid., 29.↩

15. Ibid., 32.↩

16. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 33.↩

17. Romeu Ritter dos Reis, “José Amador dos Reis cem anos depois,” Revista Adventista, November 1991, 44.↩

18. Ibid., 34.↩

19. Ibid., 39.↩

20. Ibid., 41-43.↩

21. Roberto César de Azevedo, “Instituo Adventista de Ensino, 90 Anos Depois,” Revista Adventista, March 1988, 38.↩

22. José Amador dos Reis, “Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Adventista, April 1918, 10.↩

23. “Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Adventista, February 1918, 13.↩

24. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 47.↩

25. “Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Adventista, August 1918, 16.↩

26. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 52, 71.↩

27. “South American Division of the General Conference,” Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1921), 213; Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 66.↩

28. Ibid., 72.↩

29. Ibid., 73.↩

30. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 72, 73; “Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Adventista, February 1918, 13.↩

31. “Rio Grande do Sul,” Revista Adventista, February 1924, 11.↩

32. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 73.↩

33. Ivan Schmidt, José Amador dos Reis Vida e Obra (Porto Alegre, RS: Instituto Ritter dos Reis, 1970), 33.↩

34. N. P. Nielsen, “Notas de Progresso,” Revista Adventista, February 1926, 10.↩

35. N. P. Nielsen, “Encontrando Observadores do Sabbado,” Revista Adventista, July 1926, 10.↩

36. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 83; Ritter dos Reis, “José Amador dos Reis,” 45.↩

37. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 83, 84.↩

38. Ibid., 87.↩

39. Ibid., 89.↩

40. Ibid, 90, 91.↩

41. Ibid., 93.↩

42. Ibid., 95.↩

43. Ibid., 97, 98.↩

44. Ibid., 101.↩

45. Ritter dos Reis, “José Amador dos Reis,” 45; Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 105, 106; Rodolpho W. Belz, “São Paulo (Capital),” Revista Adventista, February 1930, 7.↩

46. Ritter dos Reis, “José Amador dos Reis,” 45; Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 106; Belz, 7.↩

47. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 108; J. B. Johnson, “Serviços de Inauguração do Novo Templo de S. Paulo,” Revista Adventista, July 1929, 12.↩

48. Ibid., 106, 107.↩

49. Ritter dos Reis, “José Amador dos Reis,” 46.↩

50. Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 111-113.↩

51. Ritter dos Reis, “José Amador dos Reis,” 46; Schmidt, Pastor e Pioneiro, 118.↩