Avançar

Working with the urban poor in Rio de Janeiro for over 24 years has
opened my eyes to the many difficulties children, teenagers, young
adults and older adults face on a daily basis. I have seen
organizations from other countries come in with plans and money
without an understanding of local customs and culture. The mindset
often seems to be, “put enough money in the project and it will be
successful!” I do believe that money is one way of helping,
but how do you sustain any help when the money dries up or the
volunteers go home?

In the favelas of Rio there is a cycle of poverty and hopelessness on
so many levels. The children and teens give up on their education for
many different reasons, and the hope of going to university is seldom
a reality.

Entrance into university in Brasil requires passing a highly
competitive exam called the Vestibular. Most students spend a year
or more preparing at private schools, which are financially out of
reach for those who need them most—young people living in the
favelas.

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Breaking this cycle of hopelessness and poverty

became a dream.

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To provide a preparatory school that would change lives one
student at a time.

Although we had church buildings inside the favelas, security
concerns—especially at night—made it difficult for professors to
safely come and go. So we moved to Plan B: finding a building just
outside a major favela and close to the home of our new director,
Pastor Douglas.

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When I shared the vision with Pastor Douglas, he said his street
would be the perfect location—but there were no properties for sale!
As we prayed and sought direction, we took the next step. Two men,
one from Alabama and one from Tennessee, traveled with me to Rio.
One week before we left the U.S., Pastor Douglas called to say that
within two weeks, three properties had become available on his
street.

The one property that God said yes to was a 3-story martial arts
building. Location – perfect, size – perfect renovations – a lot! We
returned home, shared the vision and took the next step.

In 2019, with the help of volunteers from Tennessee, Georgia, and
Alabama, we purchased the building. Renovations followed.

In 2020, we welcomed our first students, using the first floor of the
building. We created classrooms, bathrooms, a small kitchen, and a
large open area. Students had a safe place to study, eat lunch, and
access to free internet. It became a safe place to study in an
environment of learning and discipline.

Pastor Douglas serves as the director and spiritual leader of Avançar.
We are able to pay our professors slightly above the standard rate,
allowing them to teach students from the nearby favela across the
main road that separates it from surrounding neighborhoods.

Every student is required to pay something. They need to contribute
to this life-changing opportunity. We scholarship many at different
levels and are able to do this because we are debt free. The building
is paid for and any renovations are done in order of priority and are
paid for at the time of service.

Scholarship funds come in through individual donations, churches
and even VBS offerings.

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But has this made a difference? Are lives being changed?

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From 2020 through December 2025, 68 students have passed the
Vestibular. Of those, 14 were accepted into public universities
and technical schools, and 54 were accepted into the Brazilian
Military University.

In 2025, Avançar was awarded by the city of Rio as the #1 private
preparatory school in acceptance rates to institutions of higher
education.

As we move into 2026, we are incorporating programs for younger
children as they move forward in their education, so they will have the
tools needed to pass the entrance exams.

We have witnessed the hope that radiates from those who have
graduated and moved on to university. Families are forever changed
and harmful cycles are broken. These students have become
heroes—examples to others who longed for more but never believed
they had a chance.

What an exciting journey we are on as we see lives changed
physically and spiritually.

To God be the Glory!