Roberto Souza Rocha, better known as Latino, has been a successful singer and songwriter for more 20 years. He is one of the entertaining and successful Brazilian artists, producing songs that are popular in several countries and move the crowds. He is often requested for shows and appearances on TV and radio programs, and he is followed by a large number of fans wherever he goes.

But his life hasn’t always been this way. He comes from a humble background, and came face-to-face with the cruelty of life of the streets. Like so many other children scattered throughout the major cities, he lived on street corners and park benches in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
He was never reached by any social action projects, so he depended on passersby to help with his poor nutrition and glue addiction.

On one of those days that seemed like any other, something happened that would change his life forever. The famous Meier square, where he wandered and knew every inch, had a different movement. A young evangelist, who left everything to pursue his dream of winning souls, began a movement of faith in the square’s bandstand. Due to the simplicity and lack of resources, he used all of his strength so his message could reach everyone present. Roberto was one of those people, and though he was still very young, he already suffered with the pain and rejection life provided him.

But he dared to believe that message which declared the power of faith. A faith that may have been as small as a mustard seed, but could bring extraordinary things into existence.
There are no failures or setbacks for a future with faith. The origins and circumstances a person is born into do not matter, what matters is the way they decide to believe and live.

These words were etched into his mind, because since he was a small child, he dreamed of becoming a singer – something impossible for someone in his current situation. Though everyone ridiculed him, he saw this as an opportunity to change his life. With each meeting he attended, his faith grew stronger to overcome the difficulties.

Research has proven that life on the streets quickly leads to marginalization and the underworld of drugs. Therefore, if not for faith, this could also have been Latino’s outcome.

And after so many years of success, on and off stage, he wanted to find that young evangelist from the dirty old bandstand that made such a difference in his life. He wanted to thank him, because if not for those words, he wouldn’t have the strength to be who he is today.

That small movement of faith became the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, and though it now has large and innumerous temples with millions of members worldwide, it continues to maintain the very essence of reaching the neglected and afflicted, whether in ghettos or in mansions, in big cities or the backlands. The Universal Church works tirelessly to reach the illiterate and intellectuals, young and old, rich and poor… Everyone, without distinction, is treated with dignity.

The rejected evangelist has become the spiritual leader of the Church, and continues to preach the same message that blessed him and so many others like Latin. This message restores lives, achieves dreams and produces countless fruit of transformations.