Seek God, learn from His Word, serve one another and our community.
ABOUT US
Jungle Church is a community of believers planted in the heart of Santa Teresa. We gather to seek God, learn from His Word, and serve one another and our wider community.
Jungle Church reflects the diverse fabric of Santa Teresa, bringing together people from different backgrounds and nationalities with a shared desire to grow in maturity in Christ — whether local, expat, a temporary nomad, or a visitor.
Whether you come from a faith background or are simply curious about the Christian faith, you are welcome at our table. More importantly, we believe that God is interested in you, regardless of your circumstances, not distant, but personal, meaningful, and transformational.
OUR STORY
Jungle Church started the way most good things do: out of need, a little dreaming, and a lot of faith gathered around a home table.
When Enri and Bia Tielmann, together with their two daughters, Filipa and Elis, moved to Santa Teresa, they hoped to join an English-speaking Christian community. Despite the town's deeply international and spiritual fabric, they were surprised to discover there were nonexistent faith-led initiatives — whether Sunday services, Bible studies, or small prayer groups.
That realization led to the start of Bible Brunch Sundays in their home: an open invitation for anyone to gather around Scripture, share food, and build community together.
What began as a Bible brunch has steadily grown into a small church, with regular attendees and new nomad faces joining each week. Above all, Jungle Church exists to make Christ’s name known among the nations — in Santa Teresa and in all the places people come from and return to.
WE BELIEVE
We believe in one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, who lived among us, suffered, died, and was buried, and on the third day rose again.
He ascended into heaven and reigns with the Father, and He will come again to restore all things.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church, the communion of believers, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
Amen.
LEADERSHIP
Enri and Bia hold theology degrees from Word of Life Theological Seminary in São Paulo, Brazil, where they met in 2005. Rather than serving full-time, they lead Jungle Church on a volunteer basis while pursuing different career paths.
Enri works in product design and consulting. While living in Stuttgart, Germany, he co-founded Plattform-Feuerbach, a church initiative designed to remove barriers to church life and create a space where non-believers could encounter God and community.
Bia works in marketing strategy and fundraising within the non-profit sector. She has served as Honorary Consul of Brazil with Global Affairs Canada and has worked in international development, events, and social entrepreneurship. Alongside her professional work, she serves as part of the Lausanne Movement’s Diasporic Issue Network as NextGen GDN leader.
RESIDENCIES AND
VISITING TEAM
We are grateful for the partnership of Ruben and Cindy Langston, local leaders who actively support the team and ministry at Jungle Church.
Tammy Hilgendorf and Josh Breard, seasonal leaders, who host and lead small groups with us.
We believe the local church is strengthened by the wider global Body of Christ. For that reason, we warmly welcome spiritual leaders, ministry workers, and believers who are passing through or temporarily based in Santa Teresa to join us — whether for a season of service, collaboration, fellowship, or mutual encouragement.
If you feel called to volunteer or serve alongside, we would love to hear from you.
