Santarém, birthplace of Project AmaZon, is becoming recognized throughout Brazil as a city where God is moving in powerful and new ways. As I write this article, pastors and leaders from all over Brazil are on their way back to their homes and churches full of vision and passion to win Brazil for Christ. Over 1,300 participants came from 24 of Brazil’s 27 states and took part in the 9th National MDA Conference. They came to be equipped with the same wonderful vision and discipleship tools that PAZ uses here in Santarém to win many for Christ and see them all transformed into healthy disciples of Christ. Yes – quality and quantity can and should go hand in hand!

Participants encounter God during praise and worship (Click this or any of these pictures to see them full size)

Fruitful pastors such as Abe Huber (Fortaleza), Geraldo Oliveira (Santarém), Leôncio Martins (Santarém), Jeff and Becky Hrubik (Santarém), Aluízio Silva (Goiânia), Odilon Vergara (Curitiba), Sabá Liberal (Boa Vista) and Sandro Oliveira (Fortaleza) shared about the powerful MDA vision. The Word had a huge impact in the lives of all who participated. The conference also included two very special nights with Tommy Tenney.

Over 15,000 people celebrate the multiplication of cell groups

What makes the conference so powerful is the fact that it’s held in Santarém, where the MDA vision was born out of a passionate desire to see the lost won for Christ and every Christian well discipled. Participants not only learn about MDA, but they see it in action. They go to the weekly leadership trainings (TADEL) where over 4,000 leaders pack into the services to be equipped. They visit cell groups that are multiplying all over the city and at the stroke of 8 PM shoot off fireworks (along with all the other cell groups in the city). The whole city erupts in a huge celestial celebration of multiplication! On the last night of the conference they participate in the huge Mulitiplication Celebration, where this year over 15,000 packed into a local soccer center to celebrate the huge harvest we are experimenting. They go to one of the 40 service options each Sunday, perhaps to one of the seven services at Central. They go on a trip to a local river community and see how the vision has had an impact in the little communities all over the Amazon. They drink in the vision and soak in it to be able to take it to their cities and church families.

Geane and the PAZ worship team lead us to God's throne

This year was the first year that Ministério PAZ de Louvor & Adoração, Santarém (PAZ’s Praise & Worship Ministries in Santarém) led the worship and was extremely blessed with God’s favor and Spirit of unity. God’s presence manifested so strongly that lives were changed forever by the powerful encounters with God through praise and worship. Pastors and leaders from all over Brazil were asking for a CD from our worship ministries – a goal now set in motion from God’s amazing outpouring on us.

Our largest building proved too small to hold all the people wanting to learn the MDA vision. But the solution and the miracle is in front of us: the new Cathedral of Love, a 10,000 plus seat church that will stand as a powerful monument to the huge movement happening in the middle of the Amazon jungle, at the very end of the earth. Lord willing, construction will begin by the end of November! And to think, this is just the beginning!

Participants surrender to God's powerful presence

Pastor Abe Huber details healthy discipleship

Great drama performances and dances are part of our celebrations

Pastor Genildo (Belém) delivers a powerful message

The Panterão is packed for our Celebration of Multiplication

PAZ Pastors intercede for their flock and other leaders