Christian Daily International

Leandro de Souza, known for having much of his body tattooed, will begin theological studies after receiving a full scholarship. His story includes his conversion to Christ, overcoming addictions, and his decision to dedicate himself to missionary work. Photo: Screenshot from Instagram video Leandro de Souza, once known as the “most tattooed man in Brazil,” is preparing to begin theological studies after receiving a scholarship for ministry and missionary work. His story, reported by Diario Cristiano, reflects a journey of religious conversion and life transformation. According to a post on his Instagram account, the scholarship will allow him to relocate from Bagé, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, to Pernambuco to study at an evangelical seminary, leaving his job behind to focus fully on his spiritual and ministerial training. “I’m super motivated and happy. Four years have passed, and the future belongs to God. Wherever He leads me, I want to go—whether in Brazil, in Africa, or in more remote regions. I’m ready to help others,” he said. He also asked for prayers for this new chapter in his life. “One day I was rescued from the streets, from addiction, from prison, and from many other places that do not belong to God. Once again, I chose to renounce my own will, the will of the flesh, to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” de Souza said. “It is time to be a servant, to empty oneself, and to learn from the One who is meek and humble,” he emphasized. Souza first gained attention for his appearance, with over 95 percent of his body covered by more than 170 tattoos. After converting to Christianity, he began gradually removing them—including tattoos on his face and other visible areas—with free support from a specialized studio, as a symbol of leaving his past behind and beginning a new chapter in life. Diario Cristiano reports that Souza describes this period as one of personal and spiritual restoration. “My dignity was restored. It’s not about me—it’s about Jesus,” he said, referring to his transformation after leaving addiction and homelessness. The report also notes that his early life was marked by vulnerability, abuse, and later involvement with drugs and criminal activity, which ultimately led to his arrest. His transformation began at a municipal shelter in Bagé, where an evangelism group invited him to attend church. Fifteen days later, he was baptized. Since then, he says he has left addiction behind and committed his life to faith. In interviews, Souza has said that his priority is no longer the image he once projected through his tattoos, but rather God’s calling on his life. He noted that his theological studies will be essential to his preparation and that he hopes to participate in missionary work and social outreach. He currently attends the Assembleia de Deus church in Bagé, a prominent evangelical denomination in Brazil, where he is actively involved in evangelism and social outreach as he prepares for theological training and future missionary work. His story has been shared in Christian media as a testimony of conversion and social reintegration. Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.

Love in popular culture can be little more than a faint illusion. Real love is less filtered and far more faithful. didesign/Envato Valentine’s Day arrives every year with remarkable self-confidence. It assumes love should be obvious, effortless, and permanently exciting. Cards suggest that if love is real, it will feel magical. And social media portrays that everyone else seems to be doing rather well, thank you very much. Real love, actually, is nothing like that. Real love is less filtered and far more faithful. Strip away the fantasy and you don’t lose romance, you discover the real version. And before we go any further, a word to anyone reading this without a Valentine... For many, that isn’t an easy place to be. Wanting companionship is not a failure or a lack of faith; it is part of being human. Please know this: your life is not on hold, you have not missed God’s timing and you are deeply loved by him. Jesus never treated singleness as something to be fixed. He met people with dignity, presence and compassion. If this season carries both hope and longing, God can hold both and he walks with you in it. You are seen, you are valued, and you are not alone. So what does love, actually—the real version—look like in everyday life? Here are five Christ-shaped Cs that help love grow before marriage, within marriage and in the hearts of those still waiting. 1. Christ at the center Real love works best when it is not at the center of our world. Real love works best when it is not at the center of our world—Jesus is. "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1 NIV) That verse isn’t about bricks and mortar; it’s about lives, homes, and relationships. I once asked a couple who had been married for over sixty years what sustained them. The wife smiled and said, "We didn’t always agree, but we always prayed." That’s romance as surrender. Love, actually, isn’t about finding the right person; it’s about becoming the right person in Christ. "Seek first the kingdom of God." (Matthew 6:33 NKJV) 2. Conversation that goes deep Real love talks and then listens. Real love talks and then listens. Not just about films, food and future holidays (important though they are), but about faith, fears, family, failure and the future. "The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out." (Proverbs 20:5 NIV) Love, actually, grows when we dare to be known, not just admired. Depth takes courage. Wisdom moves at a slower pace. 3. Consistency in the small things Real love is... formed by quiet faithfulness. Real love is rarely built by grand gestures. It is formed by quiet faithfulness. Turning up.Keeping your word.Speaking kindly when tired.Listening without reaching for your phone.

Organizers have announced the speaker lineup for the ChurchWorks Summit, a one-day event exploring how faith and policy can work together for the social good. The summit takes place Feb. 27 at Central Hall in Westminster, London. Justin Brierley, author of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God and host of the Re-enchanting podcast, will co-host the event with radio and television broadcaster Swarzy Shire, a ChurchWorks press release stated Feb. 11. “Delighted to be co-hosting the ChurchWorks Summit on Feb. 27 in London! Senior church leaders, government ministers, public sector representatives, and charity leaders come together to explore how faith and policy can work together for the social good,” Brierley said on social media. “This one-day event showcases successful church-government partnerships, highlights practical solutions to social challenges, and creates opportunities for deeper collaboration.” Other confirmed speakers include Bishop Mike Royal, general secretary of Churches Together in England and ChurchWorks commissioner; Miatta Fanbulleh, U.K. minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities; and Stephen Timms, U.K. minister of state for Social Security and Disability. Three panels will explore the themes of wellbeing, children and families, and tackling poverty—all priorities for the ChurchWorks Commission. The summit also includes workshops and an exhibitors’ marketplace featuring groups such as Christians Against Poverty, the National Churches Trust, and Home For Good/Safe Families. Shire, known for her high-energy broadcasting style, said she felt “very honored to be hosting this year’s ChurchWorks Summit alongside the brilliant Justin Brierley.” “We want to fill the room with senior church leaders, government ministers, public sector representatives, and charity leaders to explore how faith and policy can work together for the social good,” Shire said. “Key topics on the day include tackling the mental health crisis, poverty, supporting vulnerable children, and more. My prayer—and excitement—is that we come away with opportunities to collaborate and make a real difference in society. People matter, and social good matters—I’m there.” The ChurchWorks Commission brings together mainline church denominations, umbrella organizations, and Christian charities to collaborate with the government. It equips local congregations to transform the lives of vulnerable people in communities across the country. The commission specifically focuses on addressing the mental health and wellbeing crisis, supporting vulnerable children and families, and tackling poverty. “The upcoming ChurchWorks Summit is about celebrating the incredible and transformative work God is doing in and through his church in this country,” a ChurchWorks press release stated. “Whether it is a church running a parent-and-toddler group to help new parents get their children school-ready, a weekly drop-in supporting people struggling with their mental health, a Warm Welcome Space creating strong local communities, or a Debt Centre helping people out of poverty, the work and faith of those who run and volunteer in these ministries is a wonderful example of whole-life discipleship—of people putting their faith into action, serving their communities, and serving God. “ChurchWorks’ mission is to help churches make connections across the church and public sector to increase the impact of these ministries and create positive change for even more people. By bringing together the local church, national denominations, charities, public servants, and senior politicians, we can broaden perspectives and see how working together intentionally creates opportunities for God to work powerfully.”