September 15, 2025
At the recent European Congress, we had the privilege of sitting down with Helder Favarin – a passionate evangelist, global leader, and servant of the Gospel. In our conversation, Helder unpacked some sobering truths about discipleship in today’s culture, challenging young leaders to lay down self-centered ambitions in favour of God’s mission.
Here’s what he had to share.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Helder is originally from Brazil, married to Anna, and a father of four. His life and ministry have taken him across various continents. Today, he serves with Community Bible Study – a global ministry that provides free Bible studies in over 120 countries and 91 languages, reaching more than 1.2 million people worldwide.
“My passion,” Helder says, “has really been helping people know the Word of God and communicate it in ways anyone can understand.”
Helder opened his message with Acts 16, where Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia calling for help. That divine interruption redirected Paul’s plans – and brought the Gospel to Europe.
“We live in a very narcissistic culture,” Helder said, “a culture of selfies, and it’s me at the centre. Many times, we see Christians living out their Christianity this way, with that perspective, as if God is mostly interested in fulfilling my passions, my dreams.”
But Jesus’ words are clear: “Whoever wants to follow me must take up their cross.” True discipleship, Helder stressed, means surrendering our dreams for God’s.
“It’s actually not about your dream. It’s God’s dream for you. It’s not about your plan – it’s God’s plan for you. He has the best.”
When asked what dreams young leaders may need to lay down, Helder gave a vivid metaphor: life as a four-legged table. One leg might be career or financial success, but the others – relationships, family, and faith – are equally vital.
“In our culture, that is the leg (career) that is most celebrated, and we identify the growth of that leg with success. But life is formed of other legs. You have friendships, you have family, you may have a marriage, children or parents – and certainly, there is a Creator who wants to relate to us. So, if only one of the legs grows, the table is going to be unstable….and actually we applaud some tables that are very unstable!”
Real success, he reminded us, isn’t in how tall that one leg stands. “In scripture, success is mainly being faithful to God.”
Helder turned our attention to the heart. “Why do we do what we do? It’s super important…Is it for the glory of God? Is it because we love?”
He referenced Jesus’ letter to the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2). They were hard-working and morally upright – but had forsaken their first love.
“Jesus applauds them, and then He says, ‘However, I have something against you.’ Which is extremely serious… Jesus cares about our motivation. Let us search our hearts.”
Finally, Helder called on churches to recognise and support the evangelists among them.
“God continues to raise young men and women who are passionate about the communication of the Gospel. Every Christian is a witness for Christ, wherever we are yes – however there are some people that God calls especially with that gift of communicating the Good News and equipping others to do the same.”
He urged churches to create space for these voices: “Let’s equip them. Let’s give them room, opportunities. Let’s encourage them to participate in whatever God may be doing in our towns and cities and countries… and let’s blow so the fire can be spread, and God can be glorified.”
As Helder wrapped up, his message echoed a challenge and a blessing. A challenge to lay down our own ambitions in radical surrender to God’s call – and a blessing to all who walk faithfully in that path.
We’re grateful for his time, and we continue to pray for Helder and his work around the world.
What dream might you need to lay down? And what fire might God ignite in its place?
September 15, 2025
