Spiritual battles continue day and night across the globe, including in the heart of the remote rainforest. The following example was featured in The Washington Post recently.
Rupert Shelley, Director of Mission Partnerships at international mission agency Crosslinks, says it reminds us how ‘the gospel is indeed growing and bearing fruit in extraordinary ways across many parts of South America’.
Sao Miguel stands on the Purus river, a tributary of the Amazon in northern Brazil. Once firmly Roman Catholic, it has been rocked over the last few years by the arrival of evangelical Protestantism. Two individuals encapsulate this struggle: on the one hand stalwart Catholic priest Father Moisés Oliveira; on the other Pastor Leudo Alencar, a charismatic evangelical leader, each vying for the souls of the local inhabitants.
The river serves as a metaphor for the turbulent currents of spiritual change sweeping through São Miguel. Once, Father Moises’ annual visits were community events, the only time for mass and sacraments. But the arrival of Pastor Leudo in 2020 ignited a fever of conversions, fracturing families and friendships.
Moisés challenge is clear: how to stem the tide of evangelical fervour eroding the foundations of Catholicism in São Miguel and across Latin America. The region’s bishops have sounded the alarm, urging radical change to address the Church’s waning influence. As Father Moisés sets off for Sao Miguel, he grapples with the harsh reality of dwindling congregations and encroaching evangelicalism.
Pastor Leudo also sees São Miguel as a battleground for souls. From humble origins, he rose to prominence as an evangelical leader, challenging the entrenched power of Catholicism with raw charisma and fervent preaching. Despite facing opposition and accusations of being a false prophet, Leudo remains steadfast, believing he is called by God to spread the gospel along the Purus.
Caught in the middle is 23-year-old Rosa Costa Desouza, once a devout Catholic, now drawn to the faith of the Bible by the promise of renewal and spiritual liberation. Her journey reflects the internal struggle of many in São Miguel, torn between tradition and innovation, loyalty and newfound belief.
On the day of Sao Miguel’s annual Mass, Father Moisés stands before a half-empty church, symbolizing the fissure that now divides the community. Adelson, a pillar of the Catholic faithful, finds solace in the devotion of those who remain. But Rosa and many others have left for ever.
Rupert Shelley added: ‘Living in a largely secular, some might say post-Christian, Europe, stories such as this can seem from another world, or a bygone age. Yet current Crosslinks Mission partners serving in South America tell us that, as evangelical Protestantism advances, the pressing need is for high-quality ministry training for all those who seek to teach the Bible.
‘There is no doubt that the church in the UK can and must play their part in this, resourcing and equipping our Christian brothers and sisters for faithful Biblical ministry.’
