By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Last month, Pastor Jay Bauman was installed as the new Senior Pastor of Union Church of Rio de Janeiro located in Barra da Tijuca in the Zona Oeste (West Zone) of the city. Pastor Bauman had previously been the Interim Pastor of Union Church, and on Sunday, September 21st the official announcement was made.
Bauman is married to Luciane and has two daughters, Sophia and Olivia. He is the founder of Restore Brazil (www.restorebrazil.com) which a nonprofit ministry designed to train pastors, plant churches, and encourage ministries of mercy to the poorest of Rio de Janeiro.
Additionally Pastor Bauman is the co-director of Acts 29 Latin America where he is involved in advancing the gospel to Brazil and beyond. He recently planted the Portuguese speaking Igreja do Redentor that holds services on Sunday evenings at Union Church.
Executive Pastor George Yapuncich says, “It is truly a blessing to have Pastor Jay as our new Sr. Pastor. He brings a servant’s heart along with years of Christian experience. His Sunday messages and ministry works are an inspiration to all of us here at Union Church.”
Pastor Bauman earned a Master in Business from Baylor University and studied at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. He served as the Executive Pastor for a number of years at Crosspoint Church in Orlando Florida. “I am excited to be serving at Union Church, Rio de Janeiro. As this fall marks five years for my wife and I in Brazil, we feel like God has called us to partner with Union Church to reach our city with the Gospel.”
Union Church is a nondenominational English speaking church that serves the international and Brazilian communities. It was founded 128 years ago, was previously located in Centro, then Copacabana, and moved to Barra in 1981. You can find Union Church at their web site and all are welcome to join Sunday morning service at 10AM.