Nelson de Oliveira Santos was born in Campinas, Brazil, on January 30, 1979. Although Nelson was not raised in a godly home, he still had a desire to rise out of his situation. At age 18, as required by the Brazilian government, he enlisted in the Brazilian military. At that point in his life, Nelson had no personal encounter or relationship with Jesus Christ, and he held only a vague notion of God’s existence and oneness. As a result, he was heading down the path of destruction caused by sin; until God, in His mercy, led him to an Apostolic Youth Camp at the age of 21. There, on February 22, 2001, Nelson received the Holy Ghost. That same night, he was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost began to completely transform his life. Nelson was immediately aware that God had placed a burden on him to study and to preach the Word.
From that moment, Nelson dedicated himself to God. He consecrated and committed himself to the God who had changed his life so completely. That steadfast commitment and consecration allowed him to hold fast and wait as God molded him through the years. In June of 2014, God intricately intertwined Kathryn into Nelson’s life. They married one year later on June 13, 2015, at Inland Lighthouse Church in Rialto, California. One month later, after much prayer, godly counsel, and confirmations, with the blessings and support of their pastors, Reverend Larry Booker and Reverend Joel Booker, this young couple embarked on their journey to South Brazil.
Now on site, Nelson and Kathryn, along with their son Levi, have begun to lay the groundwork for Igreja Apostólica Esperança de Lighthouse Ministério in Santa Catarina, Brazil. This work in South Brazil is the product of a deep calling and love placed on a young couple’s heart. God has brought Nelson and Kathryn together as a team, and He has placed a deep burden and vision in them to share and spread the only true hope for the world: Jesus Christ.