Brazil
A country with a turbulent history and great hope

On the evening of 22 April 1500, the Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral set foot on Brazilian soil for the very first time, near what is now the city of Porto Seguro in the state of Bahia. This marked the beginning of a long history filled with change and challenge – a history that continues to shape the country to this day. It was not until 1534 that actual colonisation by the Portuguese Crown began, and it would take until 7 September 1822 for Brazil to gain its independence. Finally, on 15 November 1889, it was declared a republic.
Today, Brazil is a country of superlatives: the fifth largest in the world and, with more than 214 million people, one of the most populous. Since 1960, Brasília has served as its modern capital, and the official language is Portuguese. Yet there is another, less well-known side to Brazil’s history.
The heritage of German immigration

In 1824, Dona Leopoldina, the Austrian empress and wife of Dom Pedro I, called upon destitute German families from the Hunsrück and Moselle regions to settle in southern Brazil. Many followed, and in the early 20th century thousands more Germans, Poles, and other groups arrived to seek a new life in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. They cleared forests, built towns, and laid the foundations for a German-descendant population that remains deeply rooted in many parts of Brazil to this day.

Our mission – hope and help since 1965

Since 1965, it has been our calling to reach these often-forgotten people with the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ. Despite the growth of Christian faith in Brazil, many within the German-descendant communities have heard little of this message. That is why we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to sharing the Gospel, particularly in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná.

Many of those of German descent live in simple, often very modest conditions. Some are illiterate or have limited access to education. For generations, they have struggled for a better life. This is where we step in: alongside proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, we also provide urgently needed social support.

Our projects - bringing hope together
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In the cities of Tucunduva and Santo Ângelo in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, we operate day-care centres in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, where we provide children not only with care but also with a future perspective. This work is supported by OBRAMIS - Obra Missionária Siloé, a mission founded in 1977 by missionary Horst Krüger ✝. The work includes early childhood education (ages 0 to 5), the “Learning and Growing” project for children and young people aged 6 to 17, as well as the “New Steps” programme, which offers children from the poorest backgrounds new opportunities by teaching them handicrafts that can later provide an income.

Furthermore, we work with the (National Congress of the Churches of Christ), an association of more than 1,000 churches across Brazil, to spread the message of Jesus. This organisation is especially active in small towns in the rural south and provides strong social assistance to those in need, whether through loss of employment or illness. This is an area we support in particular. The impact of this work is highly visible and is recognised and valued by local authorities. In the event of natural disasters (such as the severe floods of 2024), immediate help is provided so that people receive clothing, food, and shelter – regardless of age, ethnic origin, disability, nationality, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, or social standing. Everyone is treated with respect and welcomed with love.

We also give special attention to the STARTEEN project in the Porto Alegre region, which strengthens young people in their faith and guides them towards a socially stable life. Our goal is to expand this programme to other cities in Brazil, as it has received particularly positive feedback. Young people facing difficult social circumstances, often struggling with addiction and hopelessness, find support, acceptance, and the sense of belonging they have been missing.

In the Amazon Basin, we support local workers (mostly Indigenous) in various locations, who serve among different Indigenous peoples and provide both medical and social assistance. With the help of local institutions and authorities, they also teach Portuguese, as well as essential knowledge of agriculture and soil cultivation. They help establish community centres and procure boats for different groups. Other areas of work include Bible translation and the development of written languages and alphabets, so that these languages can be preserved and passed on to the younger generations. This life-changing work stretches from the southern Amazon region to the border with French Guiana – part of the European Union – where we frequently cooperate with partner organisations with a stronger presence on the ground.

The Brazilian Parliament with both chambers in the Capital Brasília

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Rio de Janeiro - the "wonderful city" at the Guanabara bay

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A view over the metropole of São Paulo, Brazil's industrial and economical centre

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Indigeneous people in the Amazon basin

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Traffic in Brazil mega-cities

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The new cities at the Atlantic Ocean in the south

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German and Italian influences in the State of Santa Catarina

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