Ever wondered about a church born from humble beginnings that grew into a global phenomenon? That’s Renascer Rudge Ramos. Let’s uncover the story of this unique place of worship.
Renascer Rudge Ramos is part of the Igreja Renascer em Cristo. It is a Christian denomination with its headquarters in Sāo Paulo. Apostle Estevam Hernandes and Bishop Sônia Hernandes founded the church in 1986.
Initially, Estevam and Sônia Hernandes were advisors to Cássio Colombo. Colombo founded Igreja Evangélica Independente de Indianápolis in 1975. After breaking ties with Colombo, the couple started their own ministry. Soon after, they established Renascer.
In its early days, Renascer attracted many young people. Music played a big role in services with diverse styles. These included rock, reggae, rap and samba. Later, the church also appealed to business people and self-employed professionals. Renascer is considered a neopentecostal church like IURD. These churches emphasize Prosperity Theology.
At one time, Renascer had over 1000 temples in Brazil. However, that number decreased to 315. Most of these temples are in the state of São Paulo. There is also a small presence in the United States and Angola.
Despite not being the largest church, Renascer draws large crowds to events. One such event is the Marcha para Jesus. It has taken place annually in Sāo Paulo since 1993. The marches feature gospel musicians and attract political leaders.
Renascer played a key role in popularizing the term “gospel” in Brazil. In the early 1990s, Estevam Hernandes and Antônio Carlos Abbud founded Gospel Records. They registered the term with the National Institute for Intellectual Property.
Like Edir Macedo and IURD, Renascer ventured into communications. They partnered with Abbud Associados. They also rented programming space on other stations. In 1996, they launched Rede Gospel de Televisão.
However, the church has faced controversies. Estevam and Sônia Hernandes were investigated for money laundering. In 2007, the FBI arrested them for failing to declare over $56000 in cash. They were sentenced to five months in prison.
Kaká, the famous footballer, was once associated with the church. He allegedly donated millions to Renascer. In 2008, he offered his FIFA World Player of the Year trophy for display in the main temple. However, Kaká and his wife left the church in 2010. They cited mishandling of money by the leadership.
Today, Renascer Rudge Ramos continues to be a place of worship. It is part of a church with a complex history. It reflects the changing landscape of religion in Brazil. From its musical roots to its global presence it remains a noteworthy institution. Its story includes triumph, controversy and transformation. Renascer Rudge Ramos stands as a testament to the dynamic nature of faith.