Brazilians in a Promised Land: Keys to Developing a Thriving Portuguese-speaking Presbyterian Ministry

There are an estimated of 1.3 million Brazilian immigrants living in the United States (approximately 460,000 Brazilian Americans as of mid-2019). The Brazilian population in the United States is relatively small, and the lack of knowledge of Brazilian immigrants and the tendency to stereotype based on the perception and assumption has had a negative impact on many Brazilian ministries.

There are only thirteen Brazilian ministries within the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the total number of Brazilians' membership within the PC(USA) is approximately seven hundred people. Some of these ministries have existed for over twenty years, but very little information has been given about their existence and experiences.

Brazilian ministries that thrive most in the PC(USA)'s body cherish their own identity, understand what those essential factors and keys are, and embrace the challenges and opportunities in a cross-cultural experience. Every thriving Brazilian ministry is made of people who reflect the image of God in the migration context and plays a unique model to love outcast Brazilians living in this promised land.