BRAZIL PARTNERSHIP

In 1958, IM sent their first missionaries to Brazil. Over five and a half decades, many missionaries were sent and a large investment was made in evangelism, discipleship, church-planting and leadership training. Dozens of churches were started along with several Bible Institutes and Bible Colleges in different places at different times. As Brazilian leaders for our churches were developed, the number of missionaries from North America began to diminish. IM no longer has resident missionaries since 2023.

Currently, Free Will Baptists have churches in the two most populous states, São Paulo and Minas Gerais, a new church-plant in the northeastern state of Alagoas, and a church in the nation’s capital – Brasília. All are led by Brazilian pastors. The Alliance of FWB Churches serves as the associational link, seeking to bring fellowship and cooperation among churches. Some have chosen to remain independent.

Throughout the history of the work in Brazil, national missionaries have been active in working among indigenous peoples (Native Americans) in the Amazon area as well as in the neighboring countries of Bolivia and Uruguay. Missionaries were also sent overseas to the Republic of Ireland, Ivory Coast, South Africa, China, and Turkey. They do not currently have missionaries serving overseas.

IM currently has a partnership with Free Will Baptists in Brazil with two on-going projects. The first is leadership training through the Bible College located in Campinas. The second project is working alongside local churches here to support a church planter in the state of Alagoas who is planting a church in an area where there are no other evangelical churches, where the climate is arid, and the communities are poor.