Salvador is known throughout Brazil for having a vibrant, unique culture. It boasts the fourth largest population in Brazil with almost 3 million people.

The Adventist Church has experienced significant growth here, with churches scattered throughout Salvador. Despite the strong Adventist presence, there are still unentered areas of the city.

Global Mission is working to identify areas with no Adventist presence and establish new congregations there.

Josenildo’s neighborhood is one of these unentered areas. He was known as a drunk nuisance whose bad habits disrupted his family life and the whole community.

Arivaldo, an Adventist, lived nearby and ran into Josenildo often on his way to work. Arivaldo knew he was looking for work, so he offered him a construction job building churches.

It didn’t take long for the two of them to become friends. Arivaldo treated him with respect, which made Josenildo wonder why he was always so kind. Over time, Arivaldo asked if he was interested in Bible studies, and the two began reading the Bible together.

“Before I met Jesus, I didn’t have happiness. When I came to know Jesus, my life was transformed, and today, for God’s glory, I’m happy. My family was also transformed.”

Josenildo was baptized and changed for the better. Even his neighbors took notice of his transformation. When the usual loud music from his home stopped one day, everyone wondered if he was ok. When they checked on him, they saw that Josenildo was a changed man. He spoke kindly to them and treated them respectfully, and they wanted to know what inspired these changes in his life.

Josenildo used this opportunity to minister to his neighbors. Every Friday night, they gather in his living room to talk about their week. They bring their concerns, requests, and praises here. Josenildo points them to the Bible, showing them a Creator who cares deeply about them. There’s even something for the children as Josenildo’s daughter leads an activity in the hallway.

This group has grown close, and as a result, 10 people have already been baptized this past year, and more are studying for baptism.

Small groups like this are the core of church planting in Salvador. Small groups develop into congregations, and these congregations divide into more small groups that spread throughout the city.

Nearly five years ago, the church leadership in Salvador’s state of Bahia had an ambitious goal of building 1,000 churches in five years. They reached their goal, and the final church is being built where a new congregation will worship soon.

The goal of building 1,000 churches across the state isn’t just for the purpose of having new buildings. The church buildings represent ever growing congregations of believers who, like Josenildo, have been changed by Jesus.

“Jesus is good. Jesus transforms. Just as He transformed my life, He can transform anyone’s life.”

No matter the struggles someone may face, Jesus has the power to transform theirlife. And more lives are impacted as churches are planted throughout the world. Thank you for helping us change lives by supporting church planting through Global Mission!