Mariana Pereira, a Nazarene Youth International leader in Brazil, passed away March 26 after struggling with her failing health. She was 34.

”A godly woman was among us; her testimony and legacy will live on in our hearts and minds.” This was said of Mariana’s life at her burial.

Pereira was born in Campinas, Brazil, and came to know of the gospel at 19. Immediately after hearing of and accepting the love of God, she put herself at His service and was involved at the local, district, and national level in the Church of the Nazarene. Pereira was the district NYI president, national secretary for NYI, local minister in the Sousa Church of the Nazarene, and a volunteer at the Global NYI office.

She was a theology graduate from the Methodist university in São Paolo and Nazarene Theological Seminary of Campinas and graduated in foreign marketing administration.

Two years ago Pereira received the Timothy Award  in recognition of her ministry with NYI in Brazil.

Her favorite Bible verse was Psalm 136:1: “Let us give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever.”

"Mariana lived with this security and that is why at her burial there were only words of thankfulness and recognition of a life used for God to bless every person she knew," said Edson Moura, South America Region Bible Quizzing coordinator.

--Church of the Nazarene South America Region