The apostle, who conceived in 1993 the march to Jesus, diverges from fellow shepherds who only see a political possibility for those who claim to be a Christian: conservatism.
“If Christian wants to go to the sky, he can be right or left,” says Hernandes, who will be this Thursday (19) ahead of the 33rd edition of the march through the streets of the central region and northern São Paulo.
Of course there is a “incompatibility of guidelines”, especially in the field of customs, but it would be intended to demand that a believer does not vote in the PT, for example, he tells the Sheet.
The apostle, who founded in the 1980s the Renascer Church in Christ, supported (PL) in 2022. For the next election, bet on a presidential plate with the governor of São Paulo (Republicans), and (pl) of vice. I would also like to see the mayor of São Paulo, (MDB), in the governor’s chair.
Hernandes also talks about two noisy phenomena in Brazilian evangelicalism: disintegrated and child shepherds.
There are more than three decades of gear. How has the evangelical community changed in this time? We had many denominational barriers, and that was an impediment for us to often make an event like the march to Jesus, with unity among us. On the other hand, the introduction of youth brought a very, very important oxygenation.
And the general public perception of believers also changed?
The stimulated stereotype was that of the believer grimace, the non -participatory person [na sociedade]. Not today. We see Christians in all areas of activity, and this has also changed this image a lot, because people have made a more appropriate reading of what is really, in quotes, “being a believer.”
The 2022 Census revealed a smaller number of evangelicals than expected. What happened?
I think the census is outdated in terms of information. Also because it was done shortly after the pandemic, and, particularly, I don’t think it reflects the reality. I believe that at least we have 35% of evangelicals. Has some adjustments [a serem feitos].
Mr. Speaks in 35%. What is the basis for this statement?
The base is the feeling we have. Why? When we start marching, for example, we should have an average of 4%, 5% of society. And hardly you found a person who clearly professed that he was a believer. Today you go everywhere, and there are always people who are evangelical. This portrait of society demonstrates that this participation is greater than what the census is showing.
Some evangelical leaders are failed in methodology, others think it is the correct number, and that shows the growth potential. And there are those who speak of an supposed ideological bad faith, that the census would be equipped by an anticrete left.
I think it’s more a methodological issue. I do not believe that there is ideological manipulation in this.
We see very non -practicing Catholic, who declares himself by generational inheritance, because his father, the grandfather were Catholics. Will we see the non -practicing evangelical as a future phenomenon?
That risk can’t run, right? With one’s own growth, with more generations [de evangélicos]it may end up succeeding. And today we have a phenomenon, those considered disinterely, who are evangelical people, practice all the principles of the Bible and everything, but by choice they do not attend the church. This is very worrying when the person ends up being just nominal. Like the one who says he is Catholic just because he was baptized as a child, but in fact he never put his foot in the church, he does not develop his faith.
Experts attribute this tendency to dissatisfaction with religious institutions in general. Do you agree?
Of course, dissatisfaction exists. But I don’t think it is significant. We have a multiplicity of churches, and this is very interesting. People seek to adapt to what is communication they like, the social environment they are looking for. This aspect of having many churches ends up favoring. There are people who can say that they have moved from church for dissatisfaction, which is perhaps what happens most today. But not that the person is no longer evangelical.
Could polarization have removed some faithful, who preferred a church without this political tension?
It may have had an influence, no doubt. All radicalization ends up not being beneficial. The great risk is extremism. And that sometimes beats with people and generates dissatisfaction.
Where mr. Did you observe extremism in recent years, either by Bolsonaro’s side, which had your support, or for any other?
I saw it happen. Even for lack of a more appropriate political consciousness, sometimes people end up mixing the spiritual aspect.
There is a widespread idea in some churches that a real Christian cannot be leftist. Mr. He has already disagreed with her in the past. Does it keep the opinion?
If the Christian wants to go to the sky, he can be right or left. What I said and I repeat is about the incompatibility of guidelines, but not that the person cannot vote for the PT or be left. It would be a great claim, and it would also be to want to inhibit people of what is a personal option.
This must be another march that President Lula will not. Did you send any message, as he did in 2023?
So far, no. Last year he sent the representatives [como seu advogado-geral da União, o batista Jorge Messias].
Do you think Lula should attend?
Everyone should, right?
Neymar participated in the promotion of the March, which attracted criticism. One of them said, “I like Neymar as a player, but he is far from God’s will, lives with his daughter’s mother and is not married, which the Bible condemns.” What do you think?
Within what is the biblical pattern, the person thinks this is inappropriate. On the other hand, it hits what Jesus said, that we should not judge not to be judged. I see absolutely no problem confessing the name of Jesus and having a different life option from what is mine, understand?
We see the phenomenon of child shepherds …
“Of the king, the power [citação ao missionário Miguel Oliveira, 15].”
The march has had a minor gospel singer, such as Maria Marçal. Child and adolescent can serve as an instrument of Deus?
With a pastor, it is by no means appropriate. Now, as to be an instrument of God, it is possible, because we have biblical examples. Jesus Himself, when he was 12, went to the temple, and surprised every wise. We have another example of the prophet Samuel, who young began to be used by God.
Now, let’s take the clear conception of what a pastor is. It is the one who takes care of people, has a spiritual weight. It is not suitable for a child to take such a large responsibility. Unlike a praise. You quoted Maria Marçal. Are you a teenager who praises and loves, amen? No problem, it is not taking responsibility for other people’s lives.
Bolsonaro is ineligible. What plate would please you for 2026?
Ideally, Tarcísio de Freitas with Michelle Bolsonaro [de vice]which represents all this political heritage of Bolsonaro. Tarcisio, for me, is the big name, would be a superption to the right.
And for the São Paulo government, if Tarcisio doesn’t try to reelection?
The ideal would be Ricardo Nunes, even for the experience as a manager. A very interesting option.
We are following the trial about the alleged coup plot on January 8th. Will Bolsonaro be convicted?
Look, it’s very difficult to answer your question. We see that all things go to him to be condemned. I think there was no crime, it is very far from saying that there was effectively an attempt to blow into which forces were mobilized if something was performed.
There is a recurring criticism that march, and evangelical churches in general, should not have political use as they are a space for spiritual welcoming.
We are all politicians and we know the importance of politics itself in society. We have, for example, Tarcisio. A Christian man who participates [da Marcha]. Of course it has the political connotation of what is his figure. But it is not that we are doing an event for the politician. We are doing an event for Jesus, and that he, as authority, will have his prominent place.
X-ray
Estevam Hernandes Filho, 71
São Paulo (SP), 1954. Born in Sao Paulo, he founded the Apostolic Church reborn in Christ in 1986 with his wife, Bishop Sonia Hernandes. In the media arm, the couple owns the Gospel network and Gospel FM. In 1993, the apostle launched the first march to Jesus, which became the largest event in the Evangelical Calendar in Latin America. In 2009, then -President Lula (PT) sanctioned the law that created the National Day of the March for Jesus.
