SDAapostasy.org

SDA APOSTASY

South America: Largest Adventist Church Dedicated in Brazil
Campinas, Brazil .... [Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN]
-------------------------------------------------------
What is recognized as the largest Seventh-day Adventist house of
worship in South America was dedicated and officially opened on the
campus of the São Paulo Adventist University, (UNASP) near the city of
Campinas, Brazil.

"In this part of the world we do not build large churches," commented
Williams Costa Jr., communication director for the church in the
region. "We are more inclined to have smaller congregations, and have
more congregations at the same time. But this one is different. This is
a university setting."

On what was a high day for the local congregation, the official opening
of the new church brought thousands of believers. Even before the
dedication ceremonies began, there was standing room only. With a video
link to another campus hall, there were 4,500 congregants joining in
the convocation. The university church at what is known as Campus
Engenheiro Coelho will house the 2,200-member congregation.

The ceremonies had a special touch as Pastor Jan Paulsen, Adventist
world church president, participated in the event. He congratulated the
congregation on their new sanctuary, saying it is "one of the most
beautiful churches I have seen anywhere." In a dedication sermon he
challenged the believers to be involved with the community. Like Peter
and the disciples, Jesus is challenging "us to get down the mountain
and mix with ordinary people. Don't go and hide away. Be social. Mix
with people," he said. Paulsen pointed out that the Christian's journey
is empowered by the Holy Spirit who "helps you to identify with Jesus
Christ.

"Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus," he encouraged the congregation.

Paulsen, on his sixth visit to Brazil, recognized the vibrant Adventist
witness in South America and in Brazil, in particular. His visit was
connected with two live television Let's Talk conversations with youth
of the church in South America. Several students from UNASP joined
Paulsen in Jacarei on Sunday, April 23, for the live satellite
broadcast of Let's Talk .

The 2,500-seat UNASP church will be used by the local congregation and
for university functions. There are more than 3,000 students taking
courses at Campus Engenheiro Coelho, and according to the president of
the three-campus university, Dr. Euler P. Bahia, about 50 percent of
students are not Seventh-day Adventists. However, he said, "Many of
them join us for our worship services and spiritual life of the
campus," he said.

There are more than 2.6 million Adventists in South America worshiping
in nearly 19,000 congregations. According to church records about 659
persons there join the church each day. In Brazil alone, there are 1.6
million church members in 12,000 congregations.

Source: Adventist News Network

How can anyone pastor a church of this size? It's impossible. A church this size cannot be pastored effectively. It then becomes a BUSINESS instead. A LARGE business! Do the math for tithing on 2200 people and you will be shocked!