Skip to main content

ILAN Church | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

3 min read By August 6, 2025August 7th, 2025No Comments

In March of 2000, Pastor Philip Murdoch and his family moved from the U.S. to Rio de Janeiro to plant Igreja Luz às Nações—or ILAN Church, which stands for “Light to the Nations.”

What started with slow and steady faithfulness eventually became one of the most impactful churches in Brazil. But the journey wasn’t easy. For over 15 years, ILAN struggled to gain traction. “It felt like we were just breaking rocks,” Pastor Philip said.

Then came the turning point: they launched the Rio Dream Center.

Doctors, dentists, physical therapists, jiu-jitsu teachers—even those who didn’t yet know Christ—began showing up to serve. As they found purpose, many began discovering the One who gave it to them.

Today, ILAN has over 6,800 people attending weekly across 9 campuses in Rio, and has helped plant over 600 churches in underserved rural areas across Brazil. They’ve also launched a book publishing company, a rapidly growing K–12 Christian school system with 7,000+ students, and a Dream Center that serves 750+ people weekly through food distribution, medical care, education, and more.

But one of the most defining moments of their journey came through tragedy.

About 10 years ago, Pastor Philip’s wife, Renee, was violently attacked by a homeless man while running on the beach. She endured a traumatic brain injury and six brain surgeries, with only an 8% chance of survival without severe disability.

But God wasn’t finished with her story.

She miraculously recovered and now travels across Brazil and the world, speaking about God’s healing power and the call to reach others. Today, their church is helping people overcome trauma and mental health struggles in the very city that wounded their family.

As Pastor Philip says:

“There is no greater calling to impact and to advance the kingdom of God than church planting.”

ILAN Church is now part of launching ARC Brazil—bringing together a team of trusted pastors and leaders to plant even more life-giving churches across the nation.