More Than 60,000 in Southern Brazil Gather to Celebrate 160th Anniversary of Adventism
20 December 2023 |
Southern Brazil recently witnessed grand celebrations marking the 160th anniversary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, according to a recent article by the Adventist News Network. Over 60,000 people participated in events across Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul, featuring music, baptisms, and community outreach.
The Curitiba event, titled Impacto Curitiba, drew a crowd of 26,000 at Club Athletico Paranaense’s stadium. It was one of three major gatherings, with the others being Impacto Santa Catarina in Florianópolis, and Impacto Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, attracting 8,000 and 28,000 people, respectively.
The story of Bruna Ferreira, a non-Adventist saleswoman, encapsulates the impact of these celebrations. Ferreira was a lady who hadn’t been to church in years. Her journey began with a book titled “The Third Millennium and the Prophecies of Revelation” by Pastor Alejandro Bullón, which her son had borrowed and forgotten to return. An invitation from a rideshare driver led her to the celebration event in Curitiba, where Pastor Bullón, a globally recognized Christian figure with over 50 years of ministry, was the keynote speaker for the celebrations. His sermons focused on Christ’s unconditional love and appealed to those distanced from the church, and Ferreira was moved by the events.
A notable aspect of the celebrations was their emphasis on community service. In addition to celebrating the community contribution of Adventist education, there was an emphasis on the Mutirão de Natal campaign, a holiday effort to build relationships with families in need and provide them with resources, ultimately connecting them to the local church. Attendees were encouraged to bring non-perishable food, resulting in the collection of approximately 102,000 pounds of food. This food was distributed to needy families through various organizations, showcasing the church’s commitment to social welfare.
The events featured baptisms, with a total of 185 individuals baptized. They also included performances by musicians Jeferson Pillar, Daniel Ludtke, and Matheus Rizzo, along with choirs formed from various Adventist churches and schools.
The celebrations not only commemorated the historic journey of the Adventist Church but also demonstrated its ongoing dedication to faith, community service, and global impact.
