Benei Aor is a youth discipleship and outreach ministry started 20 years ago by Dalvani Oliveira, a member of Archbishop Paulo Garcia's church in Recife, Brazil. Today over 500 youth participate in Benei Aor groups in churches throughout north eastern Brazil and the US. The vision of Benei Aor—Hebrew for “Children of Light”—is to draw youth to Jesus Christ, deepen their relationship with Him, train them in leadership and involve them in reaching others with the Gospel.

Youth ages 8 to 24 meet once per week for Bible study, prayer and training. Leaders from all Benei Aor groups occasionally to pray and plan the choreographies and dramas that each group will learn and use in outreaches throughout the coming year. Each group is also encouraged to use their own creative gifts for outreach. Benei Aor proclaims the Gospel at street festivals, businesses, nursing homes, YMCAs, and in parades and many other venues.

Prayer is vital before and during every outreach. Before every presentation, team members cleanse their hearts and put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) to keep hearts and minds focused on Jesus to whom they present — the first presentation is always to Christ alone. “Not to us o Lord, but for Your glory.” (Psalm 115:1)

Several years ago Dalvani received a prophetic word that Benei Aor would become an international ministry. In June and July 2007, twenty-one members of Benei Aor Brazil joined 14 Americans to conduct outreaches and training throughout Alabama and North Carolina. Benei Aor was planted in the US! Mitzi Howard directs Benei Aor USA.

Benei Aor Brazil and USA trained 65 to 80 youth ages 8 to 22 who attended Convocation 2008 with their families. During the Convocation the whole group performed in two evening services and the team performed at an abortion clinic and a YMCA in Orlando and at the CEC Youth Rally.

After Convocation 2008, Benei Aor performed at CEC parishes in Deland, Jacksonville, and Miami, Florida, and has received enquiries about forming groups.

Benei Aor is not a program that can be packaged and duplicated independently. It is highly relational with regular interaction between groups in Brazil and the US. Leaders collaborate on many aspects of the ministry.

For more information about Benei Aor, please contact Mitzi Howard at mitzi@beneiaorusa.org or (205) 837-1318.

Download the 2009 brochure.