Joyful news for prisoners in Brazil
Chapel services given the go-ahead in Florianópolis
Photo: Prisoners at Palhoça prison can now meet together for church
In Palhoça semi-open prison in Florianópolis, prisoners who follow Jesus or who are exploring faith can now meet together on Saturday mornings.
“It’s clear the Lord is opening doors, and it’s yet another affirmation that we are on the right path,” shares Andy Walsh, a CMS mission partner doing prison ministry in the city.
Following requests by Andy and his team, the governor of Palhoça prison gave the green light for regular church services in March 2026.
Palhoça’s church plant heralds a new phase of prison ministry in Brazil.
Over the past couple of years, Andy and a small team connected with the local Baptist church have been working among people in prison in and around Florianópolis, running a 12-week discipleship course in several prisons and supporting prisoners to explore faith in Jesus. Hundreds of men have chosen to follow Jesus, but more follow-up and pastoral care are needed, and in most cases, prisoners aren’t allowed to meet together for church services, despite this right being outlined in Brazilian law.
Andy and his team hope the church in Palhoça will become a model that can be replicated in other prisons.
Next, they are hoping for progress with decision-makers at San Pedro de Alcântara Penitentiary, a maximum-security prison housing over 1,500 men.
