Brazilian Presbyterian Church weighs ban on men's 'Legendários' program

The Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil (IPB) will vote at its quadrennial Supreme Council meeting in Manaus, beginning 26 July, on whether to declare the men’s immersion program “Legendários” incompatible with its doctrine. A document prepared by the Tocantins synod advises pastors, elders and members to refrain from participating or promoting the program, citing concerns that its use of high‑impact coaching techniques, war‑like chants, standardized apparel and intense physical hardship could relativise Scripture and constitute a “deviation from the Gospel.”

If approved, the ruling would become official guidance for the entire denomination and could allow regional councils to assess, case‑by‑case, members who continue to attend the retreats. Legendários, created in Guatemala and introduced to Brazil in 2018 by pastor Ricardo Bernardes, seeks to “recover original biblical masculinity” and has attracted business influencers such as Pablo Marçal and Thiago Nigro.