(Picture: McDowell teaching in Caracas, Venezuela)
Venezuela (1992)
In 1992 Stephen McDowell was invited to speak at two conferences sponsored by a number of national Christian organizations on igniting the flame of Godly reformation, one in Caracas and one in Maracaibo. Organizers translated into Spanish and printed 1000 copies of Principles for the Reformation of Nations (an earlier version of Liberating the Nations) for use as a tool for those attending the conferences to train others. Hundreds of people attended these multi-day conferences, and they in turn greatly impacted many others.
In 1993 a Frenchman working on his doctoral dissertation on the influence of evangelicalism on government and society in Latin American visited us in Charlottesville. He told us that while in Venezuela doing research he had come across numerous people and groups who were using the Spanish edition of our book. This significant impact on so many people is one reason he came to interview us and learn more about our work.
In 1996 Mark met with Cesar Espanol in Charlottesville who returned to his country and oversaw the publication and wrote a chapter on the history of liberty in Latin America which was included in a Spanish edition of our book Liberando las Naciones. It was printed in Venezuela in 1998. Our representative, Cesar Espanol, saw this as an invaluable tool for equipping Christians in Venezuela with the principles necessary to bring Godly reform to their nation.
Stephen returned to Venezuela in the early 2000’s to teach a seminar and at various churches.
(Picture: Stephen McDowell teaching in Brazil)
Brazil (1991, 1994, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2024)
Stephen spoke in Brazilia in 1991 and then returned in July 1994 to both Brazilia and Sao Paulo. Fabio Batista in Brazilia organized a series of seminars and talks at which Stephen McDowell spoke. About 100 people, many in training for the ministry, attended an in-depth two day seminar on “Liberating the Nations” that was held in the national capital. McDowell also conducted a seminar in Sao Paulo and spoke at various churches in both cities.
Fabio Batista of Brazilia had attended a Providence Foundation training course while in school in the United States. Upon returning to his home as our representative in Brazil, he established an organization in 1994 to facilitate Godly reform. He and his team put out a newsletter, organized classes, and presented many talks and seminars. Fabio appeared on national television and spoke to a state meeting of the Four Square Church attended by 600 pastors.
In 2007 our book Liberating the Nations was translated into Portuguese and 5000 copies were printed and distributed at a large transformation conference.
In March 2011, Stephen spent about 10 days in Brazil teaching in seven cities in the three southernmost states. His main purpose was to teach at the newly formed Transformation Institute. Rodrigo Tapia started “Instituto Transforma” with the long-term vision of raising up a new generation of leaders for the nation. His intensive year-long training program, followed by a year of practical application, will equip leaders in a biblical worldview so as to transform every spheres of life in Brazil. He has a similar vision to what we do at the Providence Foundation, with a desire to partner with us. Stephen’s sessions were filmed and are being used in the Institute.
2025 – McDowell Report
I just returned from a very fruitful trip to Brazil where I was teaching biblical worldview and principles of societal transformation to a diverse group of people in a variety of venues. I started in the city of Taubaté, where I was one of the instructors in a School of Government. Over 100 attendees from many states and professions (pastors, government officials, business leaders, educators, media) learned a biblical perspective of government and economics (my topics), education, politics, and cultural transformation.
Senator Damares Alves, who is one of only a couple of Christians in the National Senate, spoke at the conference. When I first met her she expressed that she felt like she already knew me since she had been reading my books. It is encouraging to meet many folks in Brazil who have been influenced by the work of the Providence Foundation. Seeds we have planted over the past 30 years of working in that nation are producing good fruit.
As the primary national leader who stands for life, godly morals, and the biblical family, Senator Alves receives many verbal attacks from the anti-Christian secular left. That coupled with no ability for her to stop the advance of radical homosexual and transgender policies has been quite discouraging to the Senator. Sharing the historical perspective of societal advancement often occurring with nations advancing a few steps and then going back one or two, with the overall movement forward, will hopefully bring encouragement to the Senator and others working for Godly transformation in Brazil. I have certainly seen the Kingdom of God advancing in Brazil in a mighty way over the past three decades.
New teachings and PowerPoints Presentations were developed and translated into Portuguese, including “Elements of Good Personal Finance.” Four of my books printed in Portuguese have been distributed throughout the country. These include: Liberating the Nations, Statism: the Idol of the Modern World, Watchmen on the Walls, and Ruling over the Earth, A Biblical View of Civil Government. A fifth book — Stewarding the Earth, A Biblical View of Economics — has been translated and prepared for publication later this year. The folks in Brazil have posted many of my teachings on YouTube if you’re interested in hearing me teach with an interpreter.
While in Brazil I also spoke to a National Council of Christian Leaders, taught seminars on economics and personal finance in São José dos Campos and Ponta Grossa, and spoke at a large church in Curitiba. This church is typical of many in Brazil: it is young, only about 20 years old, and growing rapidly, with thousands of members, many of whom are young. They are also recently awakening to understanding God’s call to disciple the nation. Young flourishing churches like this can be found all over the country. It is estimated that over 30% of Brazilians are Christians, with almost all of this growth occurring in the past 3-4 decades.
Brazil has many big challenges, but God is at work preparing His people to bring Godly transformation. We are thankful to play a part in God’s plan for Brazil. Your support enables us to do so. Thank you!
Vishal, Stephen, and Rodrigo with student organizers of a Truth and Transformation seminar held at UFMA University.
Stephen and Vishal before speaking at a Transformation Institute conference in Brazil.
Vishal, Mark, and Stephen with leaders of the Gravatai police force.
In May 2012 Stephen was in Brazil for 10 days teaching at meetings in four cities spanning the length of the country, from the southern city of Cachoerinhas to the northern city of Macapa, which is located on the Amazon River. While in the capital city of Brasilia he went with a small team of Christian leaders to the Supreme Court of Brazil where they were able to pray for 30 minutes. This was the first time something like this has taken place.
Brazil is experiencing great revival. Not only are many people being converted, but a growing number of Christians are recognizing their duty to disciple the nation at large. The founder of Transformation Institute, Rodrigo Tapia, invited the Providence Foundation to train pastors and leaders how to do this very thing. He is putting together a training program to distribute throughout the nation. This includes various teachings that Stephen and many other reformers have done at his institute, plus he has translated numerous Providence Foundation booklets that he will be printing and using to educate others.
Stephen returned to Brazil in 2013 and 2014, spending about two weeks teaching in a variety of venues, but most importantly working with the Transformation Institute to solidify their ongoing training program.
During the end of August and beginning of September, 2018, Stephen traveled to Brazil at the invitation of Rodrigo Tapia and the Transformation Institute. The trip began in the southern city of Gravatai where Stephen and Vishal Mangalwadi taught a two-day conference, at a pastors’ gathering, and at a YWAM base. They, along with Mark Beliles, conducted a half-day training event for the mayor, members of the police force, and over 100 members of the city government.
Vishal, Rodrigo, and Stephen then traveled to the northeastern coastal city of Sao Luis, where they conducted a multi-day conference on transforming Brazil to hundreds of people, spoke at a pastors’ breakfast, and taught a two-day seminar to many students at Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), the leading university in the area. These were attended by many pastors, lawyers, government officials, future leaders, and others desiring to see Brazil discipled. They also spoke at the largest churches in the area and while visiting a local Huguenot Museum learned that French Protestants played a part in the beginning of the city, erecting a cross for prayer when arriving in 1612 and writing laws based upon the Ten Commandments.
Two of our books (Liberating the Nations and Watchmen on the Walls) and six PowerPoint presentations are available in Portuguese.
(Picture: Representatives from Germany, Trinidad, and Brazil)
(Picture: Stephen teaching in Trinidad)
Peru (2008)
In the summer of 2000 a missions team from Morning Star International ministries visited Peru and used some of our materials and a slide presentation to train the city leaders of Taraporto. A member of the team, Daniel Strand, wrote: “We are so thankful for the material you sent to us! We were able to translate the “Liberating the Nations” presentation into Spanish. We made a presentation for the Mayor and her government department heads for the city of Taraporto, Peru. We had about 25 at that meeting, and after the presentation they asked so many questions on how to change their government, they stayed for another hour of question and answer!.” Another team member met with the Dean of the only university in that region and gave him a copy of the Spanish version of Liberating the Nations.
In 2008 Stephen traveled to Peru, where he taught church and government leaders in Lima and at a pastor’s school in Iquitos. A couple of our books were published in the country for use in the school for biblical economics.
(Picture: Stephen & Hector Pardo)
Columbia (2008)
A multi-day School of Transformation was conducted for leaders in church and state in Hector Pardo’s church in Bogota. Hector is a leading Pastor in the nation. Since he became a Christian around 1960, the Christian population in Columbia has risen from 15,000 to 8 million (about 20% of the population). Hector’s desire is to continue to train the rapidly growing Christian populace in Biblical transformational principles.
Stephen returned to Colombia in 2015 to help launch the Transformation Institute of Colombia, which will provide ongoing training in Biblical worldview. While there he also spoke at churches and was interviewed for a number of radio and television programs. [See first section above for more on our work in Colombia.]
2024 – Stephen McDowell Report
As you may know, I have been doing extensive work in Latin America in the past 14 or so years. I have visited Colombia about 15 times working with many churches, Christians involved in government, educational groups, political parties, YWAM schools, and various biblical worldview organizations. I recently returned from a two week trip where I taught in 5 different cities – Cali, Pereira, Valledupar, Bogota, and Cartagena. Over the years I have taught in about 20 different Colombian cities all over the country.
During my recent trip I spoke at 5 church services, conducted a biblical worldview seminar at a Baptist seminary, taught three networks of church leaders on biblical government, and instructed two 8-hour long Transformation Institute classes on biblical economics and business. I also taught political leaders in one of the national parties on governmental principles from the Bible.
In Cartagena I spoke on principles for national transformation to a city-wide pastors’ association representing 80 churches. They had been studying self-government, which I explained was one of seven foundational principles necessary for free nations.
While in Valledupar I had the opportunity to speak to the economics department at a public university. About 150 students, faculty, and staff (including the head of the department and the dean of the college) heard me teach on biblical economics (which I am sure was a first for them). They received it well, especially considering the socialist philosophy that dominates their instruction.
In Bogota, in addition to numerous in-person events, I was recorded in a studio teaching 8 hours on biblical economics which will be used in many future classes throughout Latin America, including in a state university in Venezuela.
Seven of my books are available in Spanish. These include: Liberating the Nations; Statism: the Idol of the Modern World; Watchmen on the Walls; Ruling over the Earth, A Biblical View of Civil Government; The Ten Commandments and Modern Society; Crime and Punishment; and In Search of Democracy. An eighth book — Stewarding the Earth, A Biblical View of Economics – is nearing completion. In addition, a number of articles and many PowerPoints are also available in Spanish.
God is certainly doing something of significance in Latin America. Not only are tens of millions of persons becoming Christians, but these new believers are coming to see their mission is to transform the culture as well as to convert individuals. Your support enables us to take part in advancing God’s kingdom in a way unprecedented in these nations.
(Picture: McDowell with Foundation representative from Bolivia)
Bolivia
In 1990, Pedro Moreno, having studied under Mark and Stephen in Charlottesville for a few years and then returned to La Paz, began working for the government there and organized the first national Protestant Prayer Breakfast at which he and the President of Bolivia spoke. Moreno opened an office for PF and started an ongoing study group. Hundreds of pastors and government officials, including the President and numerous national leaders, attended the prayer breakfast. Zarco’s desire to train Christian government leaders, as well as all Bolivians, in a Biblical worldview led him to travel to the United States to meet with us and discuss working together. When Zarco heard Stephen McDowell speak at a training course in the fall of 1999 and read some of our books, he discovered the materials he needed to help him in training others. He started a class for about 15 politicians teaching them the material in Liberating the Nations and Watchmen on the Walls. Soon after that pastor and former Congressman Orlando Zarco was named the Providence Foundation representative for Bolivia. Zarco has been working for many years to bring Godly reformation to his nation.
In the summer of 2017 Stephen spent three days in Cochabamba, Bolivia, teaching biblical principles of societal transformation to pastors, government officials, educators, and business leaders. Those in attendance included a man and wife who founded and run a Christian school in La Paz. The wife, Cecilia, recently wrote us:
“I would like you to know, that I shared your teachings with my teachers and students. The study of the law of God, of the Ten Commandments, opened my eyes to integral salvation and the essential subjects in a Christian education, we are also deepening this study with other authors. We are implanting these teachings very slowly but consistently in our Christian School, with my husband Oscar teaching the students in class and I teaching the teachers.
Now, we are starting a school of Christian leaders, where we will plan to teach biblical worldview, reasoning and fallacies, basic theology, history, and biblical designs. It is aimed at pastors and young Christian professionals. If you could help us it would be wonderful.
We are watching from Bolivia to your country, very happy of the changes that are happening, and with the hope that in Bolivia we can also see the hand of God one day and we can return to the biblical designs, which we know start with changed hearts.
I am sending you this letter to thank you and to tell you that the seeds that you planted here in Bolivia gave good results. Thank you, many congratulations and blessings from Bolivia.”
