Brazil is the largest country in both South America and Latin America with just over 210 Million people. I find myself in Sao Paulo – a city of 17 million people. It is the largest country to have Portuguese as an official language and the only one in the Americas. Although the predominant religion consist out of 64,6 % Catholics only 22 % are known as Protestants. Like most big cities violence and drugs rule most of the poorer areas which makes the role of the local church even more important.
Local churches in some of the gang areas struggle to grow but do play an important role in the communities. While walking through the streets where this small church is situated in we were constantly aware of drug lords doing business. The commitment of the local church we visited was phenomenal. The people of Brazi are in a class of their own – friendly, vibrant and ….. committed.
Against this backdrop the Apostolic Church in Brazil decided to envision the whole church to plant brand new churches through evangelism and discipleship in these difficult areas. A whole team of pastors completed the first leg of their training to strategize their efforts. This church has for many decades not planted many churches and were ready to change the status quo.
Pastors and leaders mapping their churches and planning new ones in difficult areas.