Sao Paolo, Brazil – The personal warmth and the inspirational energy of their shared vision were palpable when Bishop Manoel Ferreira and GPFF chair, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon met in Sao Paolo, Monday.

The two men first met in 2008 and the rapport was immediate. Bishop Ferreira was so inspired by the GPF vision that he organized and hosted a Global Peace Festival in Brazil in December 2008. It had concluded with a rally of 20,000 at the Nelson Nilson stadium in Brasilia where Bishop Ferreira told the crowd that despite Brazil’s many social and economic challenges its most urgent problems were moral and spiritual.

Brasilia, Brazil - With more than 20,000 noisy Brazilians of all ages filling the Nelson Nilson stadium with noise and enthusiasm, Bishop Manoel Ferreira, the tireless chairman and promoter of the Global Peace Festival (GPF) held in Brasilia last weekend could perhaps at last afford himself a quiet smile of satisfaction.

“This is a very important time for Brazil,” he told reporters. “We are one of the fastest growing nations in the world, and it is time for us to show the world what we can do.” Although Brazil has its full share of social and economic problems, the most urgent problems facing its 180 million people are not primarily material or economic, but moral and spiritual, Ferreira said.

Brasilia, Brazil - Bishop Manoel Ferreira mobilized his family and the Assemblies of God Church leaders in Brazil to prepare for the Global Peace Festival in Brazil and to make it into a successful event. After attending a breakfast planning meeting, they invited GPF chair Dr. Hyun Jin Moon and his party to visit the Brasilia headquarters of the Assemblies of God Church. Bishop Ferreira asked Dr. Moon to offer a prayer of blessing, and afterwards they planted trees in the courtyard.

Seven hundred people attended a meeting at the main conference hall of the Brazilian congress. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Nelson Marquezelli, presented a plaque in recognition of the Global Peace Festival activities in 18 countries so far in 2008. The session closed with prayer.

Keynote Address delivered at the Global Peace Festival, Brazil, December 7, 2008

 
Before I begin, I want to take a moment to thank my dear friend, Bishop Manoel Ferreira, for his tireless efforts to make this Festival in Brasilia a reality. I know that many others have prayed and worked hard to prepare for this day, and I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all of you. Thank you, and may God continue to bless your efforts for global peace!

Recently the eyes of the world have been on the great changes taking place in the United States. With Barack Obama’s ascendency to the highest office of the world’s only remaining superpower, people around the world are waiting in anticipation, hoping to witness the beginning of a new era of peace, prosperity and cooperation.

Gama, Brazil - On United Nations International Volunteer Day, December 5, Global Peace Festival-Brazil sponsored several social impact projects in Gama, a satellite city of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.

Volunteers planted 150 trees and cleaned ten green areas and public squares. They also collected food to send to Santa Catarina's disaster area. A hundred volunteers had a great time working together for the sake of others, cleaning and caring for the environment.

Brazil - Organizations promoting peace participated in a public forum on world peace at the Brazilian Congress on November 27, sponsored by the External Relations Commission.

The arrangements for the public hearing in Plenary Auditorium #11 were made by Congressman Nilson Mourão, based a proposal by Pastor Laurindo, an Ambassador for Peace with the Universal Peace Federation.

Speakers at the head table included Mr. Rafael Singer, who is in charge of Israeli commercial affairs in Brasil; Mr. Sarkis Karmiriam, Department Director for the Middle East for the External Relations Ministry; and Mr. Pedro Laurindo da Silva, National President of the Christian Friends Association Brazil-Israel, Haverimbril. Mr. Salahm M. Alquataa, First Councilor from the Palestine Embassy, was invited to participate but could not attend.

Gama, Brazil - On December 1, in the city of Gama, the Community Health Agents and GPF staff participated in a parade announcing the Global Peace Festival in Brazil on December 7.

As part of an educational campaign in honor of World AIDS Day, we delivered flyers to people at the bus terminal about how to prevent HIV / AIDS. Approximately 100 volunteers participated in the parade and spent the day talking to people about AIDS prevention.

Itapecerica de Serra, São Paulo - A social impact project was held in the city of Itapecerica da Serra, São Paulo, on November 23. Approximately 50 people participated, including representatives from different associations and churches in the region: Assembly of God, Itapecerica Family Federation, the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principle-Brazil, and the city hall.

It was an important opportunity to show the community the importance of the Global Peace Festival and social service as a way to achieve a culture of peace through the motto: “One Family under God”.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The Global Peace Festival (GPF) initiated a Social Impact Service project in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the Jacarepaguá district on October 19. Approximately 120 people participated in the activities of distributing food and clothing to less fortunate residents in the community, painting walls near the Residents Association, and generally cleaning up the community.