Today we’d like to introduce you to PJ Oliveira. He and his wife, along with their team share their story with us below:
Until 14, Pastor PJ (Paulo Junior) grew up in São Paulo, Brazil, believing he would be a professional soccer player. He played well, working with his father to make that dream come true. He was brought to New Jersey not knowing a word of English, still believing he would play. Learning both English and Spanish fluently, by the age of 18, he was offered to play professionally in Brazil and had a ticket to go. Not knowing a thing about PJ, God used a man to tell him not to take the trip that was planned and that God had different plans for him. Although somewhat disappointed, he and his family obeyed. PJ went to a minor seminary and continued to grow in his faith. Years later, after he experienced church with the late David T. Demola and knowing the hand of God was on his life, he recognized his need to be there. He began to study the word even more intensely under this leadership, studying grace and faith that was different than his traditional upbringing. After meeting and eventually marrying his wife, Cynthia Demola, PJ went to FITS Bible School. Under Pastor Demola, his father-in-law, PJ eventually became a staff pastor and the pastor of the Portuguese language service. He was an international representative of David Demola and his ministry on 4 continents. PJ was mentored personally by his father-in-law to step in and pastor as his legacy. Having been told this by Pastor David almost weekly for years. Pastor PJ is now a powerful speaker with a heart after God and the hope to help every person he meets know Jesus and experience his power in their daily life. He is a unique and gifted man who teaches English, Portuguese and Spanish worldwide. For the last 4 years, my wife Cynthia and PJ have been pastoring Marked Church in New Jersey, but the Lord spoke very strongly to us to come to Jacksonville to plant a new church. We acted on that word He gave us, and here we are, extremely excited to see God move powerfully in this region and be a blessing to all. With us, 3 families from our team decided to move, believing in the prophetic word God gave us.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not!???? We have certainly had many obstacles, mountains, and trials. Through this process, in the last 5 years, we experienced many betrayals, rejection, and family losses. When my father-in-law, who was my close friend and mentor, passed away unexpectedly, it was nearly devastating to my wife and I, as our world took a quick and severe 180 degree turn. The word of God kept us going!! Our faith in His word kept us moving forward even when we didn’t understand what was going on and even when we wanted to give up. God’s word and the Holy Spirit kept us moving forward by faith and through it all, we got stronger in many areas of our lives. This is part of what we believe and teach. Challenges come, but if you keep your faith in God and his word acting on the word by faith, you cannot fail!
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love to see God move powerfully and improve people’s lives! This is what we are all about. We have seen many people who were suicidal, depressed, or with fear and anxiety completely set free because of God’s word and the Holy Spirit. I have seen people physically healed of many things from headaches to broken bones to cancer. This is the purpose of the Gospel that we preach!
As you know, as a young boy, I thought I would be a professional soccer player. God called me to the ministry to give this generation hope, faith, and encouragement. I have been in full-time ministry for the last 10 years. I have traveled to 18 different countries on 5 continents, preaching God’s word. The Gospel is GOOD NEWS. What is good news? Basically, that whatever your need is, Jesus came to meet it.
What makes our church different?
We don’t believe in a gospel of theory. We believe in a gospel of actions; the word is alive. We can experience the same results the apostles experienced when they walked with Jesus because today, we have the Holy Spirit doing the same work of Christ. We are not a lukewarm church. We believe in the gifts of the spirit, and in my meetings, you will experience a dynamic, funny, passionate preacher.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I loved flying kites with my brothers in the streets of Brazil, where we grew up. I love to think about a And of course, soccer was a huge part of our lives and having my father come to my soccer practices is an extraordinary memory for me. My father would leave work for a few hours to go to practice and go back to work. He would go to support me because he always believed in me. I will always remember that.
Contact Info:
- Website: Markedchurch.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkylHolPHCx/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
- Facebook: https://fb.watch/hm-rt7BD_R/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Pjoliveira1
