Overviewof our work in Brazil
Since 1973, when our first center was established in Rio de Janeiro, the Family International in Brazil has been a force for positive change. Our work, which originated among the disaffected youth of that generation, has matured into a diversified ministry, while continuing to focus on reaching the youth of Brazil with the message of God’s love.
Missionary communities are active in major cities, from the Amazon in Brazil’s equatorial north to the extreme southern capital of Porto Alegre. We engage in evangelization, traditional social work, distribution of Christian publications, Bible studies, seminars, and cutting-edge projects using theater, music, and multimedia resources. The result: millions of lives touched by God’s love and Word.
Project Highlights
Evangelization
| Our traditional emphasis on personal evangelism––which we consider the most effective means for sharing our faith with others––has remained at the core of our current, multifaceted outreach ministries. In homes, schools, shops, and offices, from beaches to restaurants to radio, you’ll find Family members, young and old, sharing the Gospel.
Seminars
| Addressing today’s pressing issues such as drug abuse, materialism, decaying moral values, and the challenges posed by the Internet, these seminars challenge the audience to examine and evaluate their own lives. The presentations are a mixture of theater, music, comedy, and digital multimedia that have captured the imagination of audiences in schools, universities, and companies.
Assistance for the needy
| Jesus’ example of feeding the hungry, healing the sick, encouraging the disheartened, and tending to the needs of those around Him serves as a model for the Family’s aid projects. In conjunction with other organizations, sponsors and volunteers, Family members contribute to a variety of educational, health, nutritional, inspirational, and recreational initiatives. These ministries offer assistance to Brazil’s enormous underprivileged population and are an important focus of our work.
Bible studies
| The Family International’s traditional emphasis on in-home Bible studies has been consolidated into a well-organized curriculum of basic Christian teachings known as the 12 Foundation Stones. In cities across Brazil, Family members administer this 12-month course to an ever-growing number of enthusiastic participants.
Leadership training
| The Family International in Brazil offers multifaceted training programs in the form of seminars, retreats, counseling, and advanced courses to prepare the attendees--the leaders of tomorrow--for their role in guiding others into a life of Christian service.
Audio-visual resources and publications
| An array of DVDs, audio CDs, CD-ROMs, books, and magazines bring Christian values to viewers and readers of all ages. Materials such as the award-winning Treasure Attic series are used by families and schools across Brazil. The Family regularly participates in major national expositions of educational materials, broadening its partnership with recognized educational and religious institutions.
Contato magazine
| Inaugurated in1999, Contato, the Portuguese-language version of the Family’s Activated magazine, is distributed to over 10,000 subscribers and readers. Its inspiring testimonies, devotional readings, and profound Bible studies are a continuing source of spiritual sustenance to thousands of Brazilians.