The country of Brazil occupies one-half of both the land surface and population of South America. It is the world’s sixth largest country in both area and population and has the largest population of Catholics. The evangelical Christian population is a minority and can often face resistance by the dominant Catholic church.
Though it is rich in resources, many Brazilians have a fatalistic worldview that perpetuate cycles of poverty and hopelessness. Lack of jobs, substance abuse, and underage prostitution are prevalent problems, especially in the Northeastern region. This area of Brazil is known as the Sertão, or “countryside,” and has a population of more than three million people. CMF Brazil and CMF USA are addressing these issues through holistic ministry initiatives.
CMF has been working in Brazil since 1957, and nearly all ministries are now overseen by Brazilian ministers and lay leaders. There is an ongoing church planting ministry through a CMF-led partnership of Brazilian and American churches. Several new churches have been established in the last few years through the efforts of this partnership. CMF missionaries partner with local pastors and missionaries who, in turn, empower members of the community to address these pressing issues.
