Members from the church Assembleia de Deus - Vitória em Cristo (Assembly of God - Victory in Christ) raise their hands during a worship service at the headquarters of the megachurch. This is one of the biggest megachurches in the city, which attracts thousands of members everyday. It is located in the Penha neighborhood, in the north zone of Rio. Penha is known for its conflicts between drug dealers and police and for the favelas in its surrounding. The church plays an important role in mediating the conflicts because they have free access to both sides. It is also an important exit and option for lower class Brazilians who live in impoverished places without access to education, health care and sewage. The megachurch is run by Silas Malafaia, a conservative pastor and one of the biggest supporters of the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.