For decades, Brazil held the title of the “world’s largest Catholic country.” Yet a rapid demographic change has been occurring since the 1970s. Evangelicals went from just 4 percent 40 years ago to nearly one-quarter of the population.
These churches began preaching in Brazil early in the 20th century, maintaining a low-profile fashion. The two main branches of evangelism found in Brazil were Pentecostal churches, first created in the U.S. with the influence of Baptists and Methodists, and Neo-Pentecostal churches, which have gained prominence – but are considered more radical than traditional churches.
The latter group gained popularity in...