In a rural church in Brazil’s São Paulo state, 8-year-old Ester Souza steps behind a pulpit and preaches with a calm confidence far beyond her years. Her messages are simple, emotional and rooted in a testimony that has captivated millions online. She survived a severe kidney failure in 2020, spent months in the hospital, and later received a transplant. When she tells congregants, “The doctors said no, but God said yes,” the room erupts. Adults cry. Children cheer. Her videos reach audiences across Brazil.
Ester is part of a broader shift in Latin America’s largest nation, as reported by The Washington Post. Evangelicals once made up a small fraction of Brazil’s population. Today, they account for more than a quarter of the country, and researchers expect them to become the majority by 2050. While churches have long relied on adults to lead evangelism efforts, many congregations are now embracing children as key voices. Social media has accelerated this trend, giving young preachers national platforms.
Ester’s family first thought she would become a singer. Instead, her first impromptu sermon came during a family prayer gathering. After her illness and recovery, she began preaching regularly. Her innocence and directness resonate with people who are skeptical of adult leaders or overwhelmed by more complicated theology. Young listeners say they understand her better. Adults say her sincerity cuts through the noise of modern life.
Some observers raise concerns about the pressure that comes with early fame. Ester’s parents say they avoid sensational practices to attract followers. They believe her credibility comes from her story, not theatrics. Her father insists that forcing dramatic deliverance scenes online would produce “bad fruit,” and he wants her message to stay focused on faith rather than spectacle.
What is happening around Ester reflects a deeper reality: God often chooses unexpected voices. Scripture shows children demonstrating faith that adults struggle to match. Brazil’s churches are recognizing the value of that simplicity, and many believe God is using young believers to reach a generation that might not respond to traditional methods.
Ester’s story is not only about one child going viral. It signals a spiritual hunger across Brazil and the willingness of ordinary families to serve God in extraordinary ways. When a child stands before a congregation and testifies to God’s healing, people listen. And if God is using children to stir a nation, the church should pay attention.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
