As we consider the Church today, we can gain insight by looking back in history to see how and when the gospel was first brought to Brazilians. Out of 212.5 million, 191 million people in Brazil claim to be Christians. So, how did it get to this point?
How Was the Gospel Brought to Brazil?
In 1500, Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral landed in Brazil en route to India. Three decades later, Portugal colonized Brazil by establishing its first settlement in São Vicente and a government in Brazil. Portugal’s colonization brought both its rule and Catholicism to the country.
When Portuguese settlers first came to Brazil, they deemed the country to be the “Island of the Holy Cross” and celebrated Mass. Jesuit missionaries established Catholic schools and missions to indoctrinate the indigenous population. For the next 400 years, Catholicism became the official religion of Brazil, institutionalized into the political and social systems.
Because of its strong Catholic ties, there was a limited Protestant presence in Brazil for many years. In the 19th century, many European Protestants came to Brazil due to a shift in politics that was more welcoming to Protestants. Since the late 20th century, evangelical Protestantism and Pentecostalism have been growing more rapidly within the country.
What Does the Church Look Like Today?
Despite about 90% of the population associating with Christianity, many Brazilians are only nominally Christian. Brazil may have the world’s largest population of Roman Catholics, yet most only attend church occasionally out of tradition. Many build their faith on a false gospel mixed with other religions.
A historian once said, “Brazil is considered the largest Roman Catholic country in the world, but ‘Brazil is a Spiritist country, not a Catholic country.’” In other words, the Church faces syncretism as many Brazilians combine some of the beliefs of Roman Catholicism with indigenous religions.
Pray for the Brazilian Church to avoid division and syncretism.
Additionally, Brazil has unreached people groups in hard-to-reach areas, particularly unreached tribes located in the Amazon Rainforest. It is difficult for missionaries to travel to and live among these ethnic groups, and there are language and cultural barriers. When sharing the gospel, missionaries often face opposition due to the tribes wanting to hold onto their own religions, cultures, and traditions. There is even opposition from the government, with laws that prohibit missionaries from sharing the gospel with indigenous tribes.
How Can You Pray for the Church in Brazil?
With the presence of various denominations and other religions, we can pray for the Brazilian Church to avoid division and syncretism. Pray for a firm foundation to be built and for Scripture to be preached and taught. Between the prosperity gospel, nominal faith, and secularism, pray that the gospel may be spread and known throughout Brazil.
As we hope to see unreached people groups hear the gospel, pray for missionaries committed to long-term discipleship and church planting to be sent. Pray for their safety and endurance as they go to hard-to-reach areas of the country. Lastly, pray for open minds and willing spirits so that we may see more and more Brazilians know Christ as their savior.
Selah Lipsey is a Content Writer at Radical. She is a graduate of Samford University where she studied Journalism and Spanish. Selah and her husband Jeremy are members of Redeemer Community Church.
