The Methodist Church in Brazil is the result of the mission endeavors of the two Methodist Episcopal Churches in the US in the nineteenth century.
By the 1930s, the Methodist Church of Brazil had attained its autonomy and embarked on a process of self-determination and discovery.
Structure
200,000 members
900+ churches and congregations
Hundreds of ordained clergy and dozens of national missionaries
8 regional conferences - 6 autonomous conferences, 2 missionary conferences (which are unable to support themselves financially)
About 25,000 children and 28,000 adults attend Sunday School every Sunday.
49% of all Methodists go to Sunday School.
The Mission programs set up by the Methodist church include day cares, tutoring programs, literary programs, and drug rehab clinics.
Women are allowed to be ordained, just like in the United States.
Commissioned Methodist Missionaries now in Brazil:
Eluzinete Pereira Garcia is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of t he United Methodist Church assigned to a public health ministry in Latin America and the Caribbean. Based in Brazil, she coordinates and promotes Comprehensive Community-Based Primary Health Care (C.C.B.P.H.C.), a primary healthcare program in partnership with CIEMAL, the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean. “Health is the promotion of life, therefore I integrate in the workshops I facilitate all aspects of health: spiritual, psychological, physical and environmental/social,” Lu explains. “In his ministry, Jesus clearly demonstrated this concept of health. He said ‘I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly.’” “I believe that my mission is and will continue to be promoting the good news of abundant living so people and their communities will work together, making opportunities for life and health possible,” Lu says, describing her call to service. “C.C.B.P.H.C. is based on principles of the Kingdom of God, which are peace, justice and empowerment of the people and communities.” Lu has worked with C.C.B.P.H.C. since 1998. During that time she has seen God work through the program many times, such as during a training session attended by a severely depressed woman whose life had been afflicted by arthritis. “Her self-esteem was very low, she felt she was no longer capable of helping others or herself. She had tried to take her life twice,” Lu recalls. “During the training experience she felt empowered, her faith was renewed, her self-esteem was restored and she shared with the group ‘I was dead and now I am alive.’ Later, I visited her in her work place and saw her interacting with children. I could see that she was indeed alive again and sharing God’s love with them and the community.” A native of Parana, Brazil, Lu has a degree in education and pedagogy from the Methodist University of Sao Paulo, San Bernardo do Campo. Before beginning her work with C.C.B.P.H.C., she worked as the assistant secretary of educational programs for the Methodist Church of Brazil from 1996-97, and before that, as the coordinator of social programs for the mission region of Amazonia from 1993-95. Lu is married to Natanael Garcia Marques, a pastor of a Methodist church in Brazil. They have one son, André, 13. Eluzinete Pereira Garcia is available for Covenant Relationship support in Virginia Annual Conference. Missionary code: 14208Z E-Mail: eluzinetegarcia@hotmail.com
Gordon Greathouse is a United Methodist missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries serving in the Fourth Region of the Brazilian Methodist Church since 1978 along with his wife, Maria Tereza. After their first assignment directing the Conference Camp in Nova Almeida, Espirito Santo, the Greathouses were called to Belo Horizonte, Brazil's third largest city. In this second assignment, the Brazilian Church asked them to develop a community center with programs that promote self-esteem through self-help projects in which people from slum areas gain skills to become more economically independent. During the last few years, the community center has worked with Habitat for Humanity building 200 low cost two bedroom homes. In 1996, the community center was turned over to local leadership. The mayor's wife, who recently visited the center, has said its daycare is considered the best in the city amongst those receiving public funds. Following 14 years as founder and director of Sao Gabriel Community Center, Gordon was asked to work with the bishop to develop a new urban ministry program for the region. The first year was spent meeting with and working with local churches in order to develop a common analysis of the city's problems. He is now helping to develop and implement a common strategy of response both in terms of evangelism as well as social action. Born in Portland, Oregon, Gordon received a B.A. in philosophy from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and a master of divinity in church history and social ethics from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Before going overseas, he served as a seminar designer for United Methodist Seminars on National and International Affairs. Gordon is married to Maria Tereza Greathouse and they have three children: Robert, Mark and Jose. Gordon Greathouse is available for Covenant Relationship support in Florida Annual Conference, North Georgia Annual Conference, Oregon/Idaho Annual Conference, South Georgia Annual Conference. Missionary code: 07695Z
Teca (Maria Tereza) Greathouse is a United Methodist missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries serving in the Fourth Region of the Methodist Church in Brazil along with her husband, Gordon, since 1978. Born and educated in Brazil, Teca is a teacher who was deeply involved in rural education in the Amazon region prior to her marriage. Utilizing radio and on-site visits, she helped build hundreds of schools in isolated regions and train teachers from local communities. She continues to use these teaching skills in service as a missionary. Following their first assignment directing the Conference Camp in Nova Almeida, Espirito Santo, the Greathouses spent 14 years founding, developing and directing Sao Gabriel Community Center in one of the largest poorest neighborhoods outside Belo Horizonte -- Brazil's third largest city. Their program works to promote self-esteem through self-help projects in which poor people from the slum areas gain skills to become more economically independent. Today, the Sao Gabriel Community Center operates a wide variety of programs that have gained widespread interest. Its woodworking shop, weaving center and community laundry provide training and employment for the poor. In addition, the center offers professionalizing courses for teenagers and adults that better prepare them for the job market. After-school programs with sports and tutoring help underprivileged children advance through school. Working mothers are able to leave their children at a day-care center or kindergarten. Since 1996, Teca has served as the Brazilian coordinator of the Latin America Network of Programs Supporting Children sponsored by the Latin America Council of Churches. She is also working with the national coordinator of educational programs of the Brazilian Methodist Church especially in the area of editing training materials and leading workshops. Maria Tereza Greathouse is available for Covenant Relationship support in Florida Annual Conference, North Georgia Annual Conference, Oregon/Idaho Annual Conference, South Georgia Annual Conference. Missionary code: 07696Z
The Rev. Dr. Robert Stephen (Steve) Newnum, a United Methodist missionary since 1980, is currently serving as Academic Dean and Professor at the Methodist Center for Instruction and Training (CEMETRE), in Maringa, Parana in the Sixth Region of the Methodist Church in the southern area of Brazil. Steve also teaches at the Maringa University Center. The metropolitan area of Maringá has a population of around 500,000 and is the economic pole of the surrounding area. Steve is involved in other activities including the ecumenical movement, work with indigenous people, the local pastor's council, and the evangelical commision of the Worker's Party. He has previously served at CEMETRE in the position of president, vice-president, and dean of students. Dr. Newnum also taught in Lodrina at the seminaries of the Presbyterian and Missionary Churches. Dr. Newmun formerly served for six years developing a new church in Joinville as well as congregations in the cities of Blumenau and Camboriu, including one year of parallel service as District Superintendent of the state of Santa Catarina. With his responsibilities at CEMETRE, Steve has served three years as pastor of the Methodist Church in Apucarana and four years in Londrina. Prior to coming to Brazil, Steve served eight years in United Methodist churches in the North Indiana Annual Conference. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Mathematics at Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana, his Master of Divinity at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and a Doctor of Religious Sciences in Theology and History from the Methodist University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Dr. Newmum is married to Maria Aparecida Severino Newnum, who teaches at the Methodist Center and is involved in the activities mentioned above. Maria also participates in the Municipal Women's Council by representing the local pastors council. R. Stephen Newnum is available for Covenant Relationship support in Minnesota Annual Conference, North Indiana Annual Conference. Missionary code: 08451Z
Eluzinete Pereira Garcia is a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of t he United Methodist Church assigned to a public health ministry in Latin America and the Caribbean. Based in Brazil, she coordinates and promotes Comprehensive Community-Based Primary Health Care (C.C.B.P.H.C.), a primary healthcare program in partnership with CIEMAL, the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean. 
Gordon Greathouse is a United Methodist missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries serving in the Fourth Region of the Brazilian Methodist Church since 1978 along with his wife, Maria Tereza. After their first assignment directing the Conference Camp in Nova Almeida, Espirito Santo, the Greathouses were called to Belo Horizonte, Brazil's third largest city. In this second assignment, the Brazilian Church asked them to develop a community center with programs that promote self-esteem through self-help projects in which people from slum areas gain skills to become more economically independent. During the last few years, the community center has worked with Habitat for Humanity building 200 low cost two bedroom homes. In 1996, the community center was turned over to local leadership. The mayor's wife, who recently visited the center, has said its daycare is considered the best in the city amongst those receiving public funds. 
Teca (Maria Tereza) Greathouse is a United Methodist missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries serving in the Fourth Region of the Methodist Church in Brazil along with her husband, Gordon, since 1978. Born and educated in Brazil, Teca is a teacher who was deeply involved in rural education in the Amazon region prior to her marriage. Utilizing radio and on-site visits, she helped build hundreds of schools in isolated regions and train teachers from local communities. She continues to use these teaching skills in service as a missionary. Following their first assignment directing the Conference Camp in Nova Almeida, Espirito Santo, the Greathouses spent 14 years founding, developing and directing Sao Gabriel Community Center in one of the largest poorest neighborhoods outside Belo Horizonte -- Brazil's third largest city. Their program works to promote self-esteem through self-help projects in which poor people from the slum areas gain skills to become more economically independent. Today, the Sao Gabriel Community Center operates a wide variety of programs that have gained widespread interest. Its woodworking shop, weaving center and community laundry provide training and employment for the poor. In addition, the center offers professionalizing courses for teenagers and adults that better prepare them for the job market. After-school programs with sports and tutoring help underprivileged children advance through school. Working mothers are able to leave their children at a day-care center or kindergarten. 
The Rev. Dr. Robert Stephen (Steve) Newnum, a United Methodist missionary since 1980, is currently serving as Academic Dean and Professor at the Methodist Center for Instruction and Training (CEMETRE), in Maringa, Parana in the Sixth Region of the Methodist Church in the southern area of Brazil. Steve also teaches at the Maringa University Center. The metropolitan area of Maringá has a population of around 500,000 and is the economic pole of the surrounding area.