Missionary groups in the Amazon rainforest are now utilizing solar-powered audio devices to attract and evangelize isolated or recently contacted Indigenous populations in the Javari Valley, situated near the Brazil-Peru border. The Guardian and Brazilian newspaper O Globo’s joint investigation revealed the presence of these devices among the Korubo people, which are programmed to play Bible messages in Portuguese and Spanish. Additionally, drones have been reportedly spotted by Brazilian state agents in the protected areas, raising concerns about the presence of these groups and their potential violation of strict government measures designed to protect isolated Indigenous communities. Missionaries’ efforts to make contact with these communities are not new; prior to the pandemic, a US evangelical church group reportedly used seaplanes to map the region and locate Korubo settlements.
While some argue that these missionary activities can provide modern benefits, advocates for the Indigenous people emphasize the risks posed by contact, including the spread of disease and the erosion of traditional cultures. The Brazilian government has a long-standing policy prohibiting proselytizing in Indigenous territories and strictly controls access to these areas to protect the populations from health risks. Nevertheless, a solar-powered audio device, called a Messenger, was recently found in a Korubo village. This device, distributed by In Touch Ministries, an American Baptist organization, plays Bible passages and other religious content and is designed for use in areas without electricity or internet. The organization claims they do not deliver the devices to prohibited areas but acknowledges that other groups may do so.
The introduction of such technology among isolated communities has raised concerns about the sustainability of traditional lifestyles and the potential long-term impacts of missionary activities. The Korubo people, known for their skill with war clubs, have recently been in contact with outside groups, making them a focus for certain missionary groups. Despite efforts by both state agents and Indigenous self-protection groups, the presence of missionaries and their adoption of increasingly sophisticated methods pose challenges to the enforcement of protective policies for these remote populations. These concerns are exacerbated by reports of drones being used to survey protected territories, which could compromise the safety of the Indigenous peoples and the integrity of their lands.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jul/27/missionaries-using-secret-audio-devices-to-evangelise-brazils-isolated-peoples
