The Transformation Process in Sabara

Monday, June 9 –

 Sabara - 

This community was really the birthplace of the city of Belo-Horizonte. Then when gold was discovered there, the outlying communities grew up and took a lot of the territory. This is considered a strategic place – it was the governmental center for this state. There was much witchcraft and sorcery, and dark Catholicism. First Baptist Church is a church plant from Lagoinha in Belo. They started with a radio station. They took the towers down some time ago. They have slowly built the church and the school that they now have. When we went there, they were in the midst of laying granite flooring. 

We met the founding pastor – his son, Ronaldo, has been showing us around during these past

 days. Ronaldo’s family was all there, a city councilman, who is a believer, and other pastors and leaders from the church. They showed us around, and showed us a couple of videos they made of the history of the church and the city. Then we prayed for them. – It was a powerful time of prayer. I was so deeply impressed by the founding pastor and his wife, and the perseverance they have had to build the church and reach the community. We prayed for Ronaldo and his wife and I was really quickened by the Lord regarding the many tears they have shed. 

Later, we prayed for the teens, and I was prompted with a word of encouragement for their daughter, Stephanie (in English) for her heart for the Lord and intimacy with Him. Another had a word about her worship and walking the globe in worship and intercession. She was in tears as were most of us. Then we had some snacks - and went up on the mountain. 

This was a lot different than the Sunday night experience. Not the heavy presence, but we did some repentance regarding the USA importing division among the churches. Later, Ronaldo sent an

 email to Bruce, stating that there had been a breakthrough among the pastors in town, and they were now committed to unity.)

 Overview of Sabara –

In 2001, the church went around the city and anointed all the entrances to the city.

In 2001 – They marched around one of the churches seven times – later their city Festival was a disaster. 

In 2002 – They had a March for Jesus, and prophesied over the land.

In 2004 – they anointed every street every three hours for 7 days.

In 2008 – There was a big accident at Carnival – a truck tipped over and killed a number of children. The mayor declared that there would be no more Carnival.

 On one highway, there had been lots of accidents – especially at one corner. The church walked the street and anointed it. Later the city made it a two-way street, and there have been no more accidents.

 In early 2008, they had a conference about conquering the city. Ronaldo developed thrombosis in his legs, and ended up in the hospital, and was supposed to be there during the conference. The Lord told the church to start walking around the church. They did that 7 times and four days later, there was not a mark on his leg and he was able to be in the conference.

 The motels in town were pretty much used for prostitution. They went to all the motels and make declarations against prostitution. They piled up 14 stones at the entrance of the hotels and anointed them. In 2003 during Carnival, they camped out in church – As they were there the Lord told them that there were principalities on each of the seven hilltops around the city. Each one had a principality that commanded over Belo Horizonte and a large part of the state. They prayed and cut those off – They saw several changes take place. Some of the principalities have stayed because of sin. They are mobilizing their people to take authority. In 2003 they went to the doors of every known drug dealer and anointed them. Each day they wake up before daybreak and cancel the sins over the city.

They made banners saying Jesus is Lord over Sabara and put them all around the city.

At 6 pm, the Catholic churches ring their bells – so as a strategy, all the Christians started singing worship songs at 6 pm

They explained that Lord gives them these strategies, as they wait on Him.

They used to have a problem with flooding. One year a pastor came from the outside and said that he saw a spirit of Leviathan in the river. They went down to the river and did some proclamations, coming against that spirit. No more floods ever since then.

 Although the Lord gives them strategies, the most important strategy is love. They started doing “Acts Day” with practical helps to the community. Luke 6:38

He has given them many strategies to love people, confront the enemy and not be afraid.

They have had 3 or 4 Acts Days – One time a woman came crying – she said she asked God that she would be able to go to a beauty salon on time in her life. She had never been able to go to a beauty salon. She was 41 years old and never been able to get her hair done. The Lord told him to go to the slum area. He said, Lord, if you want me to go, I’ll go. He went, not knowing where he was going. He took a woman to go with him. God was preparing them for that certain time.

On one Acts Day, a woman came and asked who was candidating to be a politician. She asked three times, saying if you are, I would vote for you! They replied, if you want to know who the candidate is, I’ll tell you, it is Jesus. She cried and said that this love is different when it comes from people who have love in them.