Just a few weeks ago, thousands of police and soldiers battled it out with gangs in the streets of Rio de Janeiro's toughest neighborhoods. Over 120 people died ... mostly young men caught in the vortex of hopelessness.
In the shadow of those same streets, a new Jesus movement of warriors - men from across Brazil - are transforming a nation for Jesus Christ.
This week in Rio, over 500 men completed courses in Maximized Manhood. 167 men were commissioned. Thousands attended events to celebrate what is happening in this city - and it's happening in hundreds of cities across Brazil.
CMN Director Marcos Pohl and his team have invested over a decade of hard work and seed-planting. Now they're reaping a harvest while accelerating on a fast-expanding track - over 11,000 CMN groups across Brazil.
A dad in Rio graduated with his two teenage sons. A stark contrast to the young men caught up in gang warfare.
These men told us of their commitment to be evangelists for the Kingdom. As Paul Buchanan prayed for them, we all sensed that thousands more young champions are rising up.
The men's meetings were magnetic, loud, intense, powerful ... lots of tears and hugs and high-fives and the joy of the Lord. Families restored, hearts renewed, men receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
What happened in Rio won't stay in Rio because it's spreading. The fire of the Holy Spirit leaping from city to city.
Right now, I'm on a plane flying home from Brazil, tired, missing Christmas prep, yet fired up at what the Lord is doing through CMN. It's Christmas - the season to focus on Jesus. He came to harvest. Let's harvest!
Let's not just finish this year; let's launch next year. It's beginning already. HARVEST!
Salvations! Restored families! New dads!
