Jews for Jesus in Brazil

The Brazilian branch is the only one we have in the whole Latin America.  The country is home to around 170,000 Jewish people, most of them in São Paulo (80,000) and Rio de Janeiro (50,000), respectively its two biggest cities, about 300 miles away one from the other, which is helpful, to not make it so hard for us to make visits eventually in São Paulo.
Our office is in Rio, at Copacabana, one block away from the beach, close to the main Jewish area in the city. 

Rio de Janeiro, the most popular Brazilian city in the world, is truly an international city, where you can meet people from every country and race; tourists who come to enjoy its natural beauty.  It is also a place where Israeli backpackers go after serving the Army.

Outreach Opportunities

The most challengeable outreach we have every year is during “Carnaval”, which happens usually on February, sometimes March.  During this time most of the churches are on spiritual retreats, so it’s not so easy to recruit Christians willing to be on the streets with us.  It’s the wildest moment of the year, and we are available, reaching out people starting about 3 PM to 3 AM.  Sometimes even when they are drunk, they thank us for being out there, showing that we care for them.

One thing that is being the issue in Brazil nowadays is the choice for Rio to be the Olympic Games city for 2016, and Brazil to host the Soccer World Cup in 2014.  With the experience we got in 2007 for the Pan American Games in Rio, we are planning and expecting to have amazing outreaches during those times.

Maybe you want to volunteer with us in one of these moments to share the joy of the gospel here in Brazil.  Even if you can’t come, you can help us with your prayer and financial support.

If you’re passing by Rio de Janeiro, please visit us at our office.  If you don’t want to hand out tracts with us, it will be a privilege to personally share with you the blessings, challenges and plans we have before us.

Events

During the year we celebrate the Jewish holidays adapted to the Messianic view, where we show in a Jewish manner how Jesus is the fulfillment to each one of these prophetic biblical feasts.  These are uplifting moments that we have the presence of both Jews and Gentiles, believers and unbelievers, who are glad and interested to know more about Jesus.

Resources

We want to be available to you and for the Jewish people in Brazil.  We have weekly visits and phone calls, and also a Thursday night Bible Study.

If you know someone Jewish in Brazil and want us to be in touch with them, we’ll be more than glad to contact them.  We just need you to give us their contact.

Partnerships

Right now we’re also looking for Brazilian people and churches in the U.S.  If you never heard about us, or want to know more about our work, please contact us.  Maybe we can even schedule a meeting in Portuguese at your church.  We’re regularly traveling to the U.S.