Assembly of God New Zion Church

Pastor Marcos Lourenco preaches at the Assembly of God New Zion church in the Mangueira slum of Rio de Janeiro. Evangelical churches have risen dramatically in Brazil, in particular in Rio's slums where the presence of the state is hardly felt. Part of this increase, at the expense of the traditional Catholic Church, is the local, grass roots aspect of the churches. Most Pastors are independent, local, and can attend to the population in a personalized way which attracts people in ever increasing numbers. In absolute numbers, Brazil, the region's biggest country, has more Pentecostals than anywhere else in Latin America. (Austalfoto/Douglas Engle)

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