Welcome to the Union Church Rio
A Bible-Based, International Church.
The Union Church of Rio de Janeiro (UC Rio) is a Gospel-Centered, Disciple-Making, and Church-Planting church. Our church started on July 4th, 1886, and continues welcoming English speakers from many nationalities and denominations living in Rio and internationally, offering substantial support to many refugee families, serving UC members and Rio’s community, and exalting Christ above all.
Though we speak English, what unites us on our campus in the beautiful neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca is that we love Jesus. Our vision is to give every English speaker in Rio de Janeiro an opportunity to know and worship Jesus, follow, and become like Him as they discover their purpose and mission. Whether you’re seeking an oasis of renewal or a launchpad of opportunity to share the hope of Christ, we have a place for you.
I invite you to join us on Sunday Mornings, at 10 a.m for worship and fellowship at the Union Church Rio. I am certain you and the whole family will be blessed.
Pastor Craig Weyandt
UC Values
Gracious: Compassion And Mercy
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Christian: Word Centered, Spirit Led
2 Tim 3 :16,17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Generosity: Humble, Stewards
2 Corinthians 9:6-8.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Courage: Faith, Go
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Inclusive: Community And Care
Colossians 3:9-13
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another
Pastor Craig Weyandt
Lead Pastor
Pastor Craig Weyandt is originally from the United States, growing up in a variety of small towns and big cities, mostly in the North East. He came to know Jesus when living in a Chicago Suburb and graduated from Taylor University with a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Communications. He did his theological studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and graduated in 1990. Pastor Craig is ordained by the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) and has been serving with EFCA Reach Global in Rio de Janeiro for the past 19 years. His passion for the local church, making disciples and pastoral ministry began when he was an adolescent as a result of coming to know Jesus in a personal way and “bowing the knee” to Him as his Lord and Savior. God used the legacy of his parent’s faith, deep friendships in the local Church, and Gifted Pastors teaching the Word of God, as catalysts to respond to Jesus’ gracious call to follow him and fish for people. More recently, Pastor Craig’s spiritual and cultural journey has been greatly enhanced by walking alongside brave disciples, church-planters, and missionaries working in the poor and dangerous neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. Working in Partnership towards Gospel Endeavors that lead to transformed lives among the humble and meek has been his greatest privilege as a cross-cultural missionary. Craig is married to Alessandra and the father of Alyssia. Sports, fishing, and outdoor activities for many years had been his hobbies, but today what he enjoys most on his time off is date night in Zona Sul with Alessandra and drawing pictures of Mermaids and Princesses (and sometimes Tigers) with his young daughter, Alyssia.
Pastor Rodrigo
Associate Pastor
Pastor Rodrigo Callado was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. He came to know Christ in the year 2000 during a Christian retreat in a city close to the capital of São Paulo and years later, after studying Business, he graduated from Presbyterian Seminary “Reverendo José Manuel da Conceição” with a Bachelor in Theology in 2008. Pastor Rodrigo is serving the Union Church Rio as Worship Leader for over 7 years and he was ordained as Associate Pastor in 2020. He is also a missionary of “Capacitados para Repartir,” a CRU international partner, a ministry that works with teenagers in the schools of Brazil and their families. Since his conversion, he has been serving the local church through music and discipleship, teaching all different ages and groups of people. Pastor Rodrigo has a heart for seeing people growing and exalting the Lord, worshiping Jesus through music and discipleship, and teaching the ways of the Lord for their growth in faith. He came from a home with no believers and was the first in his family to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, and since then he has been dedicating his life to serving Him in different areas in the Christian community. Rodrigo is married to Rosana and is the father of Joaquim. Music, aquarium, botanic, and outdoor activities are a few of his hobbies, but spending time with his wife and son as a family is the most appreciated dedication
What to Expect
Our 10.00 am Sunday services are informal with contemporary worship, prayer, and the preaching of God’s Word. There is no dress code at the church, so come smart or casual as you feel is most comfortable for Rio’s weather.
Before the preaching begins, the children (2 ½ -12) leave for their own activities. If your child is younger, you may like to consider using the supervised nursery that is available during the whole service.
During the service, we provide an opportunity for our church family to give financially towards the work of the church. As a guest, please do not feel obliged to participate in the offering unless you want to.
On the first Sunday of the month, we have the Lord’s Supper together to celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection. If you are a Christian, you are welcome to join us in this meal. If you would not consider yourself a Christian, feel free not to participate – no offense taken.
Every Sunday, we serve drinks and snacks straight after the morning meeting. And on the first Sunday of the month, we enjoy lunch together. As you will see, doing church together doesn’t stop when the meeting finishes – it carries on!
Our Mission
To be a Bible-Based, International Church.
Gospel-Centered, Disciple-Making, and Church-Planting.
Our Vision
Oasis to LaunchPad.
To Give Every English Speaker in Rio an opportunity to KNOW, WORSHIP, and FOLLOW Jesus resulting in BECOMING like Him as they discover their purpose and mission.
Our Vision
The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God’s infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.
We accept those areas of doctrinal teaching on which, historically, there has been general agreement among all true Christians communicated by the Nicene Creed.
Because of the specialized calling and nature of our International Church, we desire to allow for freedom of conviction on other doctrinal matters, provided that any interpretation is based upon the Bible alone, and that no such interpretation shall become an issue which hinders the ministry to which God has called us.
Church Life
Contact Us
Email: [email protected]
Address: Av. Prefeito Dulcídio Cardoso, 4351 - Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, 22631-052.
Church Life