By Sean Chaffin, Editor/Senior Writer

Last Updated: November 3, 2009; 8:20 pm CT

Brazil’s faithful took to the streets of Sao Paulo Monday, turning out in droves to gather for the 17^th annual “March for Jesus”, an event bringing together Christians from across the country.

The event is sponsored by the evangelical Reborn in Christ Church, and united evangelical groups and churches for the march, music, and shared values. The Associated Press reported that 1.5 million Brazilians took to the streets in support. While the founders of the sponsoring church have faced controversy in recent months with charges of embezzlement, the story did not deter marchers. As this OGlobo video shows, young and old alike took advantage of the sunny afternoon to enjoy the march and rollicking afternoon concerts.

“It’s one giant party for Jesus,” Andrea Pazin, 33, told the AP. The human resources manager brought marched with her husband and two children. The family traveled by car 150 miles to take part in the event.

In recent years, many Brazilians have embraced Protestant and more evangelical religious sects with 15 percent now calling themselves Protestants according to the 2000 census, up 6 percent from 1990. The percent of self-classified Catholics have declined from 84 percent in 1990 to 74 percent in 2000.

Religion and faith in God are very important in Brazilian society. And personally, when taking a gaze at that Rio sunset, it would definitely be difficult not to believe in a higher power.