‘We’re really excited to share that in October, we launched our first Eden team in Brazil! The team are based in the favela of Santa Marta in Rio de Janeiro, which is home to around 7,000 people and – fun fact – was made famous as Michael Jackson shot a music video there in the late 90s! It was the first pacified favela, meaning there is a police presence there, but people still continue to struggle with the effects of poverty and crime.

‘Working in partnership with Baptist Church of Santa Marta, are team leaders Felipe and Kyra. Having spent a year at our Message HQ in Manchester as part of the Message School of Evangelism, they returned to Brazil with a passion for Eden and a vision to get involved with launching the first team there. 

‘They have spent the last two months building a team of 17 people, all from the local community, to prayer walk and seek God for his plans for the area. As they’re building relationships with those in the favela and sharing the gospel with them, the team are seeing many come to church and get baptised! As well as serving at the local church, the team are planning a holiday club for children in January when they have their summer holiday.

‘Please do be praying for the team that they will quickly see where God is at work in the community and build deep relationships as they establish the team there. We are especially praying for the right accommodation for our team leaders after delays with some of the options that we have initially explored.

Thank God for this new team and all that he will do in and through them!’

Stay in the loop with what Eden Santa Marta are up to by following Message Brazil on social media here.