The Global Church is inviting you to participate in what God is doing in Curitiba in the state of Parana in Brazil. Our partner is ABASC, a Baptist Social Services organization lead by Brazilians. ABASC reaches out to a low-income area in the city of Curitiba and works with projects that create income, professional training and encouragement for people to desire to work. The goal is to equip and direct people toward employment, while sharing Christ with them. Projects include sewing classes, pet care workshops, and hair dressing. They also participate in sports and culture, working with people suffering from drug addiction, child daycare and tutoring. This trip is available for individuals, couples and families.  The trip will be led, staffed and implemented by Brazilian Nationals.

Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian State of Parana, and has a population of about 2 million. It is located in the south of Brazil, a short-flight away from Sao Paulo.

The following are ministry opportunities in Curitiba:

– Sewing and tailoring workshops

– Pet Care/Veterinary Medicine

– Hair Dressing and cosmotology workshops

– Sports ministry

– Ministry to people with addictions

– Children's Ministry

– Educational Classes

Besides these options, there are more. The goal would be to find out your skills and interests and match them with the ongoing ministries of church partners in the area.

Trips are Mutually Designed with local partners utilizing your skills for ministry, learning from the Global Church, and building relationships with believers in the region.  Individuals, couples and families are all invited to participate.

All trips are led, staffed and implemented by Brazilians and Latin American church leaders. Merge is an organization directed by a leadership team made up of non-American Global Church leaders from around the world. Once you fill out your registration form, and send in your deposit, the Merge Coach of Brazil, Jamerson Silveira, will contact you to develop an itinerary, ministry focus, and develop learning activities for you. Local nationals will be hired as interpreters, guides, ministry coaches, cooks, and construction supervisors (if needed). 

Housing – Hotel

Food – Usually teams are fed two-American/Canadian-style uncooked meals each day, and one cooked Brazilian meal made by local cooks, although more Brazilian meals are possible. Purified water is also supplied for teams. 

Flights – teams would fly to Curitiba, Brazil. 

Ground Transportation – Merge will hire local bus companies to drive your team around Curitiba, and from the airport. 

Learning – Learning activites with local church leaders and Merge staff will be designed into the itinerary.

Cultural Activities – Curitiba is filled with parks, a historical center and a vibrant downtown area.