Brazil: The Fire of Revival
By Paul Strand
CBN News
May 15, 2007
CBNNews.com - RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - In 1906, when the Azusa Street Revival was bringing tongues-speaking, healing, prophesying Pentecostalism back to the world, mockers said it would be a flash in the pan, a momentary fad of misguided fanatics.
But Pentecostalism, 100-plus years later, is now a fiery revival sweeping much of the planet from Africa to Asia to Latin America.
This revival consists of more than 500 million Pentecostals and charismatics. And that makes it the world's fastest growing religious movement.
Some Muslims and Mormons might dispute that, but there's no doubt that if this growth rate continues, Pentecostalism is set to become a dominant influence in many nations.
Take Brazil, the world's largest Catholic country, where some 40 percent of the people now describe themselves as Pentecostals, neo-Pentecostals ,or charismatics, and thousands more come every week as the revival races on.
Those in the midst of it say a major reason this revival's spreading so quickly is because each believer is armed to take the Gospel to his home, his neighborhood and his own particular marketplace.
Popular Christian artist Aline Barros points out that Christians are now in every kind of job at every level in Brazil, making a difference.
Barros said, "Today in our society you find doctors, people involved in education, politicians, entertainers who are infiltrated in all sectors of society."
And these transformed believers are learning to use their vote as well as their witness.
Surveys show that the neo-Pentecostals and charismatics tend to be more politically active and have more unshakeable convictions on many issues than their secular counterparts. They vote and they campaign, and they're beginning to change the way some of their Latin American governments.well.govern.
CBN News was in Brazil during Carnival, a time when heads of government hand over the keys of their cities or states to King Momo.
Michael Shea moved to Brazil years ago just to be used of the Lord during this revival.
He points out Momo is nothing more than the devil in disguise, so Brazilians are asking the wicked one to come rule over them.
But Shea says the revival's changing that in a number of cities.
"Mayors have been challenged, especially Christian mayors, to repent for having given the key of the city to this King Momo in the past," Shea said, "and to instead give the key of the city to Jesus."
Spirit-led voting along with Christians dedicating their lives to God and worshipping Him have led to many changes in some Brazilian cities.
Shea said, "The crime rates go down. You can see political changes happen. The Lord touches a city government and decisions are made that are beneficial for the people of the city."
Such changes, such good make the Gospel behind them ever more appealing.
Barros said, "People are hungry not just for food and water, but for the Word of God, and that's what's attracting so many people."
In Belo Horizonte, a city of some three million people, many people are feeling the revival fire bursting out that's now sweeping Brazil.
That's why they call it the 'manger of the revival.'
And that's because of churches like Lagoinha Baptist, the holder of the dubious honor of being the first Brazilian church booted out of the Baptist Convention back in the 1980s because the church was enthusiastically embracing and moving in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Marcio Valadao says God has blessed.
"In 1998 there were more or less 5,000 members," he said. "Today we have surpassed 35,000."
Lagoinha Baptist itself sees some 150 people won to Christ every Sunday at its seven jam-packed, joy-filled, colorful services.
Valadao's daughter, Ana Paula, leads worship at the church.
Ana Paula said, "This is something only the Holy Spirit can do."
But it's what the church and its members are doing outside the church walls that reveals why this revival -- this movement -- could come to affect an entire culture.
Four years ago, Lagoinha Baptist bought a local cable TV station and has now turned it into a 24-hour-a-day broadcasting powerhouse to the entire nation -- featuring some 40 programs aimed at reaching every kind of possible audience
"We try to take the message of the Gospel to every single person," said Valadao.
The network's manager, who doesn't accept a salary, says as soon as any money comes in, the network uses it to create another new show.
Anna Paula explained, "We have children's shows, music shows, we have preaching, Bible studies, we have shows for women where we have all kinds of.well, even cooking."
Even CBN is involved in the action, with its own staff of Brazilians producing their own version of "The 700 Club."
And everyone we visited is trying to do every program, every video, every concert with such excellence, it'll attract not just by its spirit, but by its undeniable quality.
This can be seen in the work of Barros, recent winner of two Latin American Grammies.
They've allowed her to rise above being pigeon-holed as "just a Christian singer."
And she says that since the awards come from outside the evangelical community, it's opened many new doors for her to perform and witness.
Along with leading worship at her dad's church, Ana Paula Valadao heads up the Diante do Trono worship team.
From the start they've pledged never to charge for their concerts and give every dollar from merchandise sales to missions.
Their popularity has skyrocketed. When they appeared in Brasilia, a city of 1.5 million, 1.2 million people showed up for the concert.
Two million came out in the streets to help them tape a video in Sao Paulo.
"The church today is understanding that they must go beyond the four walls of the church," Barros said.
Valadao said, "The place for the salt is not inside the salt shaker -- in other words, the church needs to be in every area of society."
And now these people dedicated to the kingdom of God are beginning to shape the world around them.
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