Because of the GLS | Brazilian Leaders Find Courage to Transform the Country

Val Abreu

When Val Abreu, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, first heard about the Summit, she didn’t think she was a leader or that the Summit was meant for someone like her. It wasn’t until she came across Marcus Buckingham’s session on a Summit DVD that she began to discover her leadership strengths, and realized she had something to offer. Drawn in, she got more involved with the Summit and now serves as the producer for all the Summit site locations across Brazil, a country she loves dearly.

Building on the strengths of Brazilian leaders to transform the country

“Brazil is known for its creativity and its beauty,” Val shares. “And what I love about Brazilians is that they always find a way. They find a way to make things happen. Brazil has a love and a passion, and when we build into that energy, it really could make a difference.”

Val believes that if the leaders of Brazil could discover their value in Christ, develop their own strengths and apply this to their lives, transformation will be inevitable. “My prayer is that Brazilians will see they have a voice,” she shares. “I pray they will see that they have influence. We can’t be victims. We can’t sit back and let things happen.  As Christians we need to use what God has given us.

“When we see our value in who God is, then we are able not only to love Him, but love others as well,” Val continues. “I’d love to see Sao Paulo understand this, and not be so consumed with ourselves that we don’t recognize the needs of others. If we in Sao Paulo grasp this, you’ll see a city that’s different. You’ll see a Sao Paulo that’s clean, thriving, loving one another, impacting each other and helping each other grow.”

Transformation requires courageous leadership

Val realizes transformation like this requires courageous leadership—leadership that is encouraged through the GLS. This is a big reason why she so values the GLS and sharing it with leaders across Brazil. One example she shared was of a pastor who’s been blessed by the GLS. He is pastor in the middle of a very remote area of Brazil. He was so impacted that he reached out to the educational sector of his community. And because of the encouragement he received, he now has a voice with the mayors and all the teachers who are now receiving leadership training through the GLS.

“When one of the speakers shared the story about Jeremiah and he broke the vase on stage at the GLS and said, ‘I’m going to do what He calls me to do even though it’s hard,’ it stuck out to me. We need to be bold and serve where God has called us, even when it’s hard and takes courage.  He is the one in control. He put me here. He’s going to give me what’s necessary to make it happen.”

There are thousands of leaders in Brazil like Val and like the pastor in the rural community serving the educational sector. With encouragement, they transform their communities and their cities.

Thank you for supporting courageous leaders like Val

“Thank you so much for giving and making the GLS happen in Brazil,” said Val. “Because of your support, church leaders are starting to recognize that they can make a difference and Brazil is becoming a better place.”

Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. (Joshua 1:16)