---------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute. ---------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS: This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words. If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale, please give the following source credit: Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693. ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Project Brazil" (an article from the Christian Research Newsletter, Volume 2: Number 6, 1989, page 8). The editor of the Christian Research Newsletter is Ron Rhodes. ------------- To the newcomer arriving after sunset, the beach has a nightmarish quality. Christians immediately sense the spiritual oppression of the place. There is rhythm everywhere: the dull rush of the waves, the incessant beating of drums, the chanting and rhythmic singing. The filthy sand is strewn with idols and candles. Every few feet there are mediums, their faces grotesquely contorted, falling into violent trances as their "spirit guides" impersonate lurching Indians, African demigods, drooling children, aged slaves, lustful Gypsy wenches, and other entities. The ghastly scene stretches as far as the eye can see, and towering above the haze is a 15-foot statue of the sea goddess _Iemanja,_ mounted on a large cement pedestal smeared with wax and blackened by the flames of countless candles. In Africa, Iemanja had earlier been portrayed as rotund, black, and adorned with fish. This Brazilian rendition of the goddess, however, is slender, Caucasian, her gaze cold and empty, dressed in a flowing blue dress, pearls falling from her outstretched palms. Thousands of worshippers dressed in white wade in and out of the diseased waters bearing petitions as well as gifts -- champagne, perfume, flowers, cosmetics, and mirrors -- for this goddess is vain. In centuries past, Iemanja was pleased to receive not only trinkets, but squealing children as well. Tradition says that the offerings that sink to the bottom, she accepts; but those that are tossed back to the beach by the waves, she rejects. Moving slowly through the crowds by twos are Christians, discreetly carrying Bibles and tracts entitled "How to Receive Divine Light." They stop and converse with spiritists and bystanders, asking questions and offering alternatives. Usually, as one believer talks, the other prays silently; sometimes the exchanges last only moments, but often they continue until a hand reaches for a tract. Many are led away from the sand to a quieter place where they can sort things out with a counselor, have their questions answered, pray, and even receive deliverance. Dozens find new life and freedom in Jesus Christ. *Background* The spiritists at the beach are the spiritual heirs of the 3.5 million African slaves imported to Brazil by their Portuguese captors over four centuries ago. Most practice the blend of African, European, and Amerindian spiritism known as Umbanda, which many acknowledge to be the nation's unofficial religion. Although Brazil is widely known as the world's largest Roman Catholic nation, in truth most of its people are spiritist in orientation -- the greater part of these being involved in Afro-Brazilian religions. An estimated 70 million Brazilians are active spiritists, occasional participants, or sympathizers, making Brazil the world's largest spiritist nation. *Beginnings* Perhaps the greatest challenge we faced in establishing the Christian Research Institute in Brazil was the overwhelming, ubiquitous fact of spiritism in its many forms, as well as the Evangelical churches' general indifference to it. Why is outreach to spiritists a neglected field of evangelism in Brazil? One of the chief problems is the Evangelicals themselves, who are either too _ignorant_ or _afraid_ of the spiritists and their sinister practices to share the gospel, and who generally consider it best to simply avoid them, as one would a garbage dump or a graveyard. CRI has had an uphill battle in trying to persuade Brazilian Christians to venture into the surreal landscape described above. But God is faithful, and each year upwards of two hundred believers of all denominations make the journey to take part in the evangelistic campaign. CRI led its first campaign in 1984. Although a similar outreach had been tried the year before in Rio, nothing of this sort (and especially on this scale) had ever been attempted in Sao Paulo. In 1984, as Christians fanned out across the sand to witness, a series of Christian speakers and musicians ministered from a platform directly across from the statue of Iemanja -- a disruptive strategy that drew plenty of attention, and more than enough hostile confrontations as well. From 1985 onward, we've emphasized personal evangelism exclusively, which yields a better harvest. *The Outreach Today* Because we (at CRI) believe no one should enter such a potentially dangerous situation unprepared, and because fear tends to diminish as understanding increases, a series of regional training sessions is held during the six weeks prior to the event each year. Christians learn what spiritism is and where it came from, what the Bible has to say about demons and spiritual warfare, and how the evangelistic work will be carried out on the beach. At the end of the day, they choose whether they will serve as evangelists, counselors, or intercessors. This year's event will take place December 9 and 10. It will be a spiritually-punishing, 24-hour marathon for both organizers and participants. *Please make a special effort to stand with them in prayer as they go where all too few believers have gone before. And remember not only those who carry the Good News, but also those who hear it.* ------------- End of document, CRN0014A.TXT (original CRI file name), "Project Brazil" release A, March 21, 1994 R. Poll, CRI (A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- YOURS FOR THE ASKING The Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late Dr. Walter R. Martin -- is a clearing house for current, in- depth information on new religious movements and aberrant Christian teachings. We provide well-reasoned, carefully-researched answers to concepts and ideas that challenge orthodox Christianity. Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various topics that is yours for the asking? We offer a wide variety of articles and fact sheets free of charge. Our informative newsletter is freely available upon request as well. Write or call us today for information on topics of interest to you. Our first-rate staff will do everything possible to help you. Christian Research Institute P.O. Box 500-TC San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 (714) 855-9926 --------------- End of file.