The Passing of Our Ministry Partner Adauto Lourenço

Today I say goodbye to a man God used to bless me so much. Adauto was a very well-known creation scientist in Brazil. He was the author of many books, the songwriter of “Mão no Arado” (“Hand to the Plow”), and an international speaker. He reached thousands of people. With a gracious, kind, and calm voice, he answered so many scientific and theological questions. He had a tender heart, and made the good fight his work. Even though he was criticized so many times, he didn’t look back. He preached the Word and taught the ones around him. He showed in his life the truths of God. He made the good news his labor.

Adauto Lourenço

Adauto Lourenço came to the university where I studied to give a lecture. He didn’t know it, but that day he planted a seed that led to the work I do today at Answers in Genesis. Adauto was used by God to bring me back to God when I was in college. Even though I was raised Christian, in college I was bombarded with evolutionary ideas, and I walked away from God and church. God used him to open my eyes, and that evening after Adauto’s lecture, God reconciled me to himself. In that same evening, I decided I wanted to do whatever was necessary (get a master’s degree or PhD) to become just like that man and do for others what God used him to do for me. He inspired me to become a tool in God’s hands. That challenged my soul.

In his lecture, he mentioned Answers in Genesis and highlighted its resources. I went online and started reading all the articles. Some years later, I saw that the Creation Museum was going to open its doors, and I decided to come to the US to volunteer in the museum and learn more about creation. In those five weeks of volunteering, I learned about creation, but it was Answers in Genesis’ teaching about the Creator that challenged my heart and mind.

Almost 15 years after that evening when Adauto spoke and planted a seed in my heart, I started working for Answers in Genesis as a PhD paleontologist in the research department. In 2021, I had the honor of serving with him in our first conference together.

Adauto supported the Answers in Genesis ministry in Brazil and was one of the confirmed speakers for our next conference there in October of this year.

He taught and influenced many, and this is how seeds are spread on the ground. He is now rejoicing with his Creator, the Lord and King who reigns sovereignly, the One who has all our days counted. Adauto put his hands to the plow. He put his life in Christ. He gave his hands to the Master, and now he rests in the presence of the One he loved, served, and honored during his life.

Thank you, Adauto, for serving our Creator, for supporting and blessing us with so many teachings.

Thank you for fighting the good fight, for teaching thousands to keep their faith. You finished your race. Your hands are not on the plow anymore—they now hold the hands of your Lord.