Poquiviqui, Ricardo and Flavia

Ricardo and Flavia serve in Northeast Brazil. They have faithfully ministered among Indigenous communities for over 20 years. The region is home to an estimated 58 Indigenous ethnic groups, with as many as 29 tribes yet to hear the Gospel. Together, they work to strengthen the Brazilian Indigenous church, train Indigenous leaders, and mobilize Indigenous missions across the country.

Originally from the Terena tribe in Mato Grosso do Sul, Ricardo brings extensive experience and a passion for equipping Indigenous leaders and reaching unreached peoples. He is deeply committed to empowering youth to embrace God’s call to build His Kingdom among Brazilian Indigenous communities. Ricardo serves as the Director of CONPLEI Youth and the General Secretary of CONPLEI (National Council of Evangelical Indigenous Pastors and Leaders). He also maps ethnic groups and leads the Department of Indigenous Missions (DMI) to reach unreached peoples in the Brazilian Northeast.

Married since 1996, Ricardo and Flavia have one daughter. Flavia, a social worker, provides missionary care and medical support to local missionaries, complementing their shared ministry.

Ricardo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from UNIFIL and a postgraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology from Unievangélica. He previously served as the senior pastor of the Indigenous Evangelical Church of Campo Grande-MS under the UNIEDAS mission. From 2008 to 2015, he served as a missionary to the Ofayé tribe, where he planted a church.

Committed to raising awareness about Indigenous issues, Ricardo and Flavia develop training materials for churches and seminaries and teach courses across Brazil. They enjoy building relationships and partnering with others to bring the hope of the Gospel to every corner of Brazil.