Brazil has a lot of problems….including rampant crime and crushing poverty. But there’s also some very good news coming out of the South American country.
Evangelical churches are thriving in Brazil, particularly in the country’s poorest communities. Brazil is a traditionally Catholic country, but evangelical churches are providing what many poor Brazilians need.
According to Christian Today, many poor Brazilians are drawn to evangelical churches because the churches are the one thing in their communities that are caring for them and providing for their physical and spiritual needs.
Pastor Antonio told the website, “The government doesn’t help us so God is the only option for the poor.”
Antonio grew up in a poor neighborhood in Brazil. He got into drugs and felt he had nowhere to turn until he found the church.
He said, “There are a lot of problems here in the favela,” referring to the Portuguese term for a slum….adding, “Poverty, a lack of work, crime, mental health issues – the church helps with these things.”
Churches are a stable presence in poor communities, providing education, security, and economic development, as well as spiritual help.
About 20 percent of people who live in Brazil’s major cities live in favelas, so there is a great need for the help the churches are providing.
About 20 percent of Brazil’s population is Protestant, with most of these people identifying as evangelicals.