The future of the Brazilian church hinges on the next generation.
As the burgeoning evangelical population matures and begins to send its own missionaries, many throughout Brazil still need to be reached with the gospel, discipled, and trained so that the Brazilian church can continue to become firmly rooted and grow as a force for world missions.
Camp Paradise does just that. Running onto the lush, tropical campus, children and teens exuberantly join in activities designed to develop their natural athletic, artistic, and academic abilities—and point them to Christ. The camp brings youth from greater Recife, on Brazil’s northeastern coast, and many arrive with struggles, hurts from broken families, or confusion from Catholic and spiritist beliefs.
“We want our campers to know Christ and grow in all aspects of life,” shared ABWE missionary and camp director Dan Cook. “We view camp as a maternity ward, where, in a short period of time, new babes in Christ are born and fed spiritually.”
Since the camp was founded 60 years ago, hundreds of campers have committed their lives to Christ. Many of the 50 staff leaders—volunteers from local churches—were saved as campers and now use the training and discipleship they receive as camp counselors for vocational or lay ministry. Others are now dispersed around the world, sharing their faith through professional or ministerial roles.
As Camp Paradise pours into Brazilian youth, the future is dawning—and it is bright.
