The historic re-election of Lula de Silva came in spite of a strong campaign mounted against him by the evangelicals. In Brazil, evangelicals account for nearly one-third of the population – more than 70 million people. Over the past fifty years, this bloc has become one of the country’s most powerful political forces, comprising thousands of churches, media empires, and hundreds of deputies and senators. Between megachurches and favelas, television studios and the congressional chamber, this film explores how evangelicals have learned to influence every Brazilian election.
We follow Pastor Silas Malafaia, an unapologetic kingmaker, omnipresent in the media and on the campaign trail, who embodies the intersection of faith, money, and power. Gravitating around Malafaia are elected officials, influential pastors, and strategists from the Evangelical Parliamentary Front, which has become a key player in Congress. Opposed to LGBT+ rights, abortion, sex education, and gender policies, these churches advocate for a conservative vision of society based on moral order, the heterosexual family, and the fight against what they call “progressivism” or “cultural Marxism.” This ideological framework now extends beyond the purely religious sphere and manifests as a structured political strategy, combining voter discipline, media power, and economic influence.
We also follow Estevam Hernandes, organizer of the March for Jesus; Pastor Eurico, a political strategist for the “bancada”; Valdeci, a pastor in a Rio favela; and João Vitor Ota, a 17-year-old influencer and preacher. As a counterpoint, we meet Henrique Vieira, a left-wing pastor, and Pastor Átila, who leads an inclusive church.
Between megachurches and favelas, television studios and the congressional chamber, this film explores how a political force has learned to influence every Brazilian election. A movement with global ambitions, active in more than a hundred countries, and a steadfast ally of Israel.