River of Fire

PARTNER REPORT-- RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

By Donna J. Schambach

“’And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and

they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

It felt like the epicenter of world revival. From Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, the United States, and several regions of Brazil, ministers converged in Rio de Janeiro for the 2008 Heiress Conference. Each speaker was on a special mission from God, seeking to impart some spiritual gifts into an estimated 3,500-5,000 women.

Opening night was a jamboree of worship through song, dance, theater arts and multi-media presentations. Riveted to our seats in sheer Holy Ghost joy, we watched as a troupe of some 200 participants, ranging in age from 7-37, set the stage for the story of God’s woman, fully-redeemed by the power of the Risen Christ.

These “performers” were church members, raised up under the outstanding leadership of Pastors Marco and Jucara Peixoto, who have served God together in ministry for over 23 years.

Pastor Marco, a former rock and roll musician and ex-drug addict, and Pastor Jucara, a woman raised by powerful Holy Ghost parents, have been united in ministry for the purpose of taking a city for God.

They told me when they were single people, they had no real intention of marrying. Both were entirely sold-out to soul winning. After 3 years of prayer, fasting and seeking the heart of God, they felt released to marry, and God has been using them and their three exceptionally beautiful and gifted daughters—Julia, Rachel and Lydia—to raise up a generation of soul winners.

My heart felt an instant connection with these extraordinary leaders. As I probed into their early history, I learned why. Pastor Marco is a “tent” man. He loves to win souls with tent evangelism. In fact, his tent evangelism is quite different from that which I have known my entire life.

In Rio, as many know, every February inaugurates the most lavish celebration of Mardi Gras, called “CARNIVAL”, right there, on Copacabana Beach. Some 3 million people flock to the beaches, invoking demons to enter their bodies.

Custom is to visit white tents to have fortunes told.

Well, Brother Marco has white tents on the beaches, too, which also display signs reading “Fortunes Told.” But when these demon-seeking sinners walk into his tents, they find out their future is Hell, unless they receive Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.

The results are phenomenal each year. Hundreds repent of their sins and experience  mighty deliverances, often with screaming-demons leaving their newly-redeemed bodies on the sands of Copacabana or Ipanema.  Hallelujah!

There I was in Rio, an evangelist from the United States, desiring to leave a deposit in these choice saints of God.  I found myself crying out to God that very first night for my nation. We Americans who have been lavished with the good blessings of God, must have greater results than we’ve had! We need to have the sold-out to soul-winning fervor of these Brazilian brothers and sisters.

Saturday was my day to minister. The Lord gave me a word to those 3,000 or so women, on what it truly means to be an heiress. I spoke about the shared inheritance we have with the Son, from Psalm 2, that is, the nations for our inheritance and the ends of the earth for our possession.  Our future lies in our desire to win souls for Jesus.

Then, in the afternoon, I began to minister on the Fire of God. The Lord gave me a prophetic word that this church would no longer live in RIO DE JANERIO (translated, “river of January”) but from now on they would live in RIO DE FUEGO, or River of Fire!

I spoke about the fire of God that goes before Him to scatter His enemies; the fire that Jesus said He would bring on the earth in the Last Day; and the fire that comes from the Exalted Christ Himself. We His saints are not called to simply “reflect” His light, but we are to be ignited with, fueled by His mighty Presence in our lives—He is the Fire of God!

During the morning and afternoon services, we also ministered to the healing of the women. Dr. Robin Harfouche came to the microphone with a word that God was healing women of tumors—they were instantly disappearing. After a quick check, many women lifted their hands to testify that tumors had, in fact, disappeared from their bodies.

I, along with Dr. Robin Harfouche and Revivalist Robyn Rodgers, also had the precious opportunity of laying our hands on several rows of pastors and pastors’ wives for healing and an impartation of the miracle anointing on their lives. The Holy Ghost was pouring out His blessings, giving several words of prophetic encouragement.

These services had international impact, being transmitted live to a daughter-church in Miami, Florida, which is experiencing revival growth, too.  Also, church leaders of Europe and other parts of the world were returning to their missions with a new zeal.

On the last night of our trip, I was able to share the Word of God with the entire church, both men and women. The message from Hebrews1:1-4, was a message of faith, encouraging believers to embrace the word of the Lord for their miracle. That night faith reached to the heavens, as souls came to receive Jesus as Lord, and several testified to receiving instant healings in their bodies.

God privileged me to encourage so many of His women in Rio de Janeiro. Yet, I feel the most encouraged, as I have witnessed the power of God to take a city, through two who dare to believe their God, and work tirelessly to see their vision become reality.