Prayer Requests for the Cities of Northern Santa Catarina

Joinville, Santa Catarina

Fast Facts: 
     1.  Largest city in the state of Santa Catarina.
     2.  City Population-500,000+
     3.  Micro-region Polulation-1,000,000+
     4.  First inhabitants were Tupi-Guarani people.
     5.  German, Swiss and Norwegian immigrants settled the city in 1851.
     6.  Later immigrants from Italy and Portugal arrived.
     7.  Today most of the population is German descent.  
     8.  Has one of the highest standard of livings in all Brazil.
     9.  It is mainly an industrial city and most resources are devoted to this.
   10.  Religion-Although the first settlers were Lutheran, the majority of the people today are Catholic.

City Prayer Requests:
     1.  That God would lead us to a man of peace.

Araquari, Santa Catarina

Fast Facts: 
      1.  Considered as part of the micro-region of Joinville.
      2.  City Population-21,000
     3.  In 1750 people from the Azor Islands settled the area among indigenous tribes and runaway slaves.
      4.  Religion-a blend of Azorian, tribal, African and Catholic religions
      5.  It is mainly an agricultural area.
      6.  See Blog post on Festival of Bom Jesus of Araquari for more information.

City Prayer Requests:
      1.  That God would lead us to a man of peace.

São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina

Fast Facts:
     1.  City Population-39,000
     2.  It is one of the oldest cities in Santa Catarina.
    3.  The Spanish first settled the area in 1553 and the city was founded in 1658 by the Portuguese.  Later many African slaves as well as French settlers arrived.
     4.  The city is located on the island of São Francisco do Sul.
     5.  The city has a large port and the island has many beaches, one which is renowned for surfing.
     6.  Considered part of the micro-region of Joinville.

City Prayer Requests:
     1.  That God would lead us to a man of peace.

Balneário Piçarras

Fast Facts:
     1.  It was founded by the Azorians in 1963.
     2.  City Population-14,000.
     3.  It is located on the coast and most people either work in the fishing or agriculture industry.

City Prayer Requests:
     1.  Pray for the existing house church in this city.
     2.  Pray that more house churches will be planted.
     3.  Pray that the house church leaders will continue to grow in their faith and catch a vision for planting many more house churches throughout their city and region.