Campinas Central Church in Campinas, Brazil celebrated two milestones in its ministry recently by passing the 5,000 member mark, and with the purchase of land for new buildings to expand their ministry within the community.

On September 1, the church purchased 23.7 acres of land where they plan to build a sanctuary to seat 6,000 and an educational complex. The property is located on the rapidly growing north side of town along the city's beltline highway, offering the church greater exposure among the community.

Pastor Aguiar Valvassoura, who has served as senior pastor at Campinas Central for 23 years, declared, “Today we celebrate the victories the evangelical church has achieved in Campinas. This event undoubtedly demonstrates the positive influence and significant growth of the people of God in our community."

The church paid $1.7 million for the new property, all the while remembering with gratitude the $100,000 invested 43 years ago by World Missions in the first church site, which became the mother church for the denomination in Brazil.

Campinas Central Church of the Nazarene accepts approximately 300 new members every six months and is the largest Nazarene congregation in the world.