Our Story
It started in a 40-square-meter room in Atibaia, in 1979. Lead by the Name was founded forty-two years later.
I
A 40-square-meter room
In 1979, Antonio Mendes was a theology student at Palavra da Vida when he was invited to pastor a small group in Atibaia. The meetings were held in a 40-square-meter room.
The man who walked with him was Karl Lachler, an American missionary. The two of them walked through the city every week and talked about the Scriptures. Neither ever sat in a classroom with the other, and what was formed on those walks shaped both of their lives.
That small group became the First Baptist Church of Atibaia on November 8, 1980.
Eduardo Mendes grew up inside it. Rodrigo Marin, today a co-founder of Lead, had Pastor Antonio as his pastor for many years. The two of them learned what it means to lead in the same place.
1979 · Brazil · The Roots of the Legacy, friendship with purpose
II
From IT to ministry
Eduardo spent more than ten years as a project manager and IT transformation consultant. He worked on global rollouts for banks, insurers, and manufacturers.
In 2010 he left that and moved into full-time ministry. At Preach the Word he launched a nationwide program that reached more than 1,700 leaders across 70 training hubs in Brazil.
Rodrigo Marin brought the finance side. André Oliveira brought years of ministry. In November 2021 the three of them founded Lead by the Name.
The mission is to develop Christ-centered leaders who transform their communities, one relationship at a time.
2021 · Brazil · The Legacy continues, friendship with purpose
This story continues
The mentoring Lead practices today was born on those walks.