RIO DE JANEIRO – The man sweating behind the stove at the Love of God church is called Carlos Alberto, just like a legendary Brazilian soccer player, but has enjoyed neither fame nor fortune like his namesake.
Alberto, 40, he spent years addicted to drugs and exposed to danger on the streets before being taken in by this ministry as its chef. Yet according to his mentor, Pastor Celio Ricardo, Alberto has had one defining achievement of which he can be immensely proud.
He has rid himself of homosexuality.
“He was a homosexual for 25 years,” Ricardo says through an interpreter, patting lberto’s shoulder.