Before we take a break from looking at different countries I thought we should look at one South American country having looked at countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. And since Michael and Janice worked in Brazil for a time as members of plfc it would be good to make it Brazil.
Like India, Brazil is one of those countries of extremes it has the 9th largest economies in the world and yet many live in extreme poverty. It is the largest country by area in South America and has the largest number of Roman Catholic adherents of any country in the world, and the Roman Catholic church still holds far more influence in the country than in many lands. That said, many (estimated as high as 10 million) practice one or other Spiritist cults alongside other religious practices.
In regard to the Coronavirus it has the 2nd highest number of reported cases in the world and it would appear that the number is still on the rise.
With that black backdrop it is good to know that there is one great light in Brazil. Evangelical Christians have increased in number from 2.9% of the pop in 1960 to 26.3% by 2010! That said it is very much numerical growth without spiritual growth, with all sorts of problems with “congregations filled with immature, unfed spiritual infants whose faith is overly based on emotionalism, petty legalism, and the personality of the leaders.” (quote from OW). Likewise Health, Wealth and Prosperity has taken a great hold in Brazil leading masses to this false presentation of the gospel.
Without question Brazil is a land of great gospel opportunity, and the needs for long term disciplining and training immense.
Joh 4:35-36 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
Please pray from Brazil.