Churches and pastors from the United States and Canada express heartfelt condolences and honor the life and legacy of Pastor Gedelti Gueiros.
Pastor Gedelti Gueiros, president and founder of the Maranatha Christian Church (ICM), passed away early Saturday morning, July 5, 2025, in Vila Velha, Greater Vitória. He was 93.
Pastor Gueiros founded the Maranatha Christian Church in January 1968 and served as its leading representative for more than five decades. Throughout his life, he also distinguished himself as a respected businessman and community leader in Espírito Santo.
He had been hospitalized for five days after suffering a heart attack and died from cardiac complications. One daughter and two grandchildren survive him.
Profile
Gedelti Gueiros was born in Bom Jesus do Itabapoana, in northern Rio de Janeiro, on November 19, 1931. As a child, he moved with his family to Vila Velha, where he later began his ministry, spreading the gospel throughout the 1960s.
He graduated as a dentist in 1954 from the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) and later served as a university professor. Influenced by his family, he participated actively in the local Presbyterian Church before beginning a new work.
In January 1968, Pastor Gueiros and eleven others founded the Maranatha Christian Church in Vila Velha after he left the Presbyterian denomination.
Today, the Maranatha Christian Church has more than 5,000 churches in Brazil and is present in over 100 countries across all continents. The church’s communications department emphasized the lasting legacy Pastor Gueiros leaves behind.
Farewell Message
At this time of profound sorrow and longing, the pastors and the Maranatha Christian Churches in the United States and Canada wish to express, through this message, their heartfelt condolences to the family of Pastor Gedelti Victalino Teixeira Gueiros, to his friends, and all of those who have been touched by the life and legacy of this servant of God.
We share tears of longing, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, the hope and the certainty that the Lord God has called him – “Come up here” (Rev. 4:1) – to live out the promise reserved for those who are faithful servants: Heaven, an eternity at the side of their Savior and God.
His example will live on among us, for in his reverence, fear of the Lord, obedience, faithfulness, dignity, submission to the voice of the Lord, zeal for his calling and for the Work of the Holy Spirit, as well as his commitment to the Word and to the Doctrine, he became a reference point for those he taught. Indeed, Pastor Gedelti was also a teacher who stood out for his wisdom, honesty, and determination, while also presenting himself as a great and humble companion to those who sought him.
With great boldness of the Holy Spirit, he never ceased to preach the message of the Gospel; he never hesitated to give a word or a message that was needed, and through that, he brought growth to everyone around him. Truly, a man ahead of his time, he surprised everyone with his forward-thinking and vision for the future, which brought innovations never imagined by those around him, even those much younger.
A father in the faith to many, and an exemplary father and husband. A beloved grandfather not only to his own grandchildren, but to all the children, intermediates, adolescents, and youth. He had a particularly special affection for the United as a Family Seminar (and for the values and teachings it contained). A beloved friend. A pastor who lived his ministry to the very end. As he himself would say:
“The ministry is greater than life.”
Following the legacy left by Pastor Gedelti for the Gospel and the Maranatha Christian Church, we will continue to listen to the Holy Spirit, remain attentive to the prophetic times in which we live, and proclaim the soon return of the Lord Jesus. The time of mourning shall pass, but the memories, the words, and the sermons that encourage us to remain faithful – with unshakable faith in the face of the challenges and afflictions that will certainly come to all servants – will remain.
We conclude this letter with gratitude to God for Pastor Gedelti’s life and with renewed hope for the glory that awaits us on the day of the Rapture.
“Before I was even aware, my soul had made me as the chariots of my noble people.” Song of Solomon 6:12
May God bless his daughter, sister Juraminha, her husband Albert, their children, and other family members. May this blessing be extended to all.
The Peace of the Lord Jesus.
Pastors and Churches of the United States and Canada.
