Today we’d like to introduce you to Denis Aguiar
Hi Denis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From a very young age, my life was immersed in acts of compassion and service. My parents had an incredible heart for people in need, and their example shaped the foundation of my calling. I grew up in a home where helping others was not just something we did occasionally but was a way of life.
I vividly remember my parents bringing homeless people into our house so they could take a bath, have a meal, and experience a moment of dignity. My father was the director of a rehabilitation center, and he often brought individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction into our home. He would ask me to give them my own clothes before he took them to the rehab center, teaching me firsthand the power of generosity and love in action.
My childhood was filled with trips to slum areas, where my parents and I would organize activities for the children, distribute food, and provide clothing to families in need. Watching my parents serve so selflessly planted in me a deep love and passion for helping those in need.
But even as a child, I knew that the small city in São Paulo, Brazil, where I was born, was not the extent of God’s plans for me. He placed bigger dreams in my heart. I always dreamt of traveling the world, reaching people beyond the borders of my hometown, and making a difference in places I had never seen before. That passion for missions and social work, which began in my home, would later take me on a journey far beyond what I could have imagined.
At the age of 20, I started preparing and going on mission trips. In 2009, I embarked on my first international mission trip to India. The plan was to stay for six months, but I ended up living there for nine years. During my time in India, I met my wife, a Portuguese-Canadian who was also a missionary and a pastor’s daughter. Together, we dedicated our lives to serving the vulnerable and making a lasting impact.
One of the most significant projects I was involved in was the development of an initiative to rescue girls from ritualized sex prostitution, a project that today is known as the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. My wife and I also opened orphanages, schools, churches, and healthcare centers, extending our reach to countless lives in need. We traveled to different places as ambassadors of the organization, sharing the mission and expanding its impact.
In 2017, due to increasing religious persecution, we were forced to leave India and eventually settled in Orlando. That transition led us to Lagoinha Orlando Church, where we found a new community and purpose. During the pandemic, the church recognized a significant need to support its members and the wider community with basic necessities. That was when We Care was born in Orlando, an initiative dedicated to serving those in need and continuing the mission that had been placed in my heart since childhood.
Today, our office in Orlando is helping hundreds of families in need, but in the last couple of years, we have expanded to different states in the United States and Canada. From our office in Orlando, we also coordinate all the social initiatives that our church has in over 500 locations across the globe, ensuring that our mission of care and support reaches communities worldwide.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting this work in the United States as an immigrant came with its own set of struggles. Unlike India, where the needs were visibly urgent and extreme, here, the challenges were often hidden behind closed doors. Understanding the culture, the legal requirements, and the social support systems was overwhelming at first. I had to navigate a completely new environment, learning the rules, regulations, and bureaucratic processes that dictated how social initiatives could operate. At times, it felt as though I was starting from scratch, despite years of experience in the field.
The need in India was evident everywhere I looked—poverty-stricken communities, children without access to education, families without food or healthcare. Here in the U.S., poverty often looks different. Many people suffer silently, struggling with job insecurity, mental health, domestic violence, and financial instability, but without the same visible desperation. It took time to understand how to reach those in need and build trust within the community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We Care is not just the social department of Lagoinha Orlando Church, it is a movement dedicated to transforming lives through compassion and tangible support. We specialize in providing food assistance, clothing, job placement support, emotional and spiritual care, and resources to help individuals and families regain stability. Our mission is to reach the most vulnerable and provide them with the tools to build a better future.
What sets We Care apart is our holistic approach. We don’t just offer temporary relief; we empower individuals by addressing the root causes of their struggles. Whether it’s offering financial literacy programs, mentorship, or connecting people with job opportunities, we strive to create lasting change.
One of the things we are most proud of is the impact we have made within immigrant communities. Many who come to the U.S. face cultural, financial, and bureaucratic challenges, and We Care has become a vital bridge for those seeking to integrate and thrive.
We are also known for our rapid response to crises. Whether it’s a family facing eviction, someone needing urgent medical care, or a community affected by natural disasters, We Care mobilizes quickly to provide immediate aid and long-term solutions.
Ultimately, what makes We Care unique is our deep commitment to serving with love and dignity. We believe in walking alongside people, not just helping from a distance. Our faith drives us to see the potential in every life and work tirelessly to ensure that no one is left behind.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I wouldn’t use the word “luck” to describe my journey. Instead, I see everything as a calling. I firmly believe that God has called me for a purpose, and He is the one who opens doors, brings resources, and makes everything happen—even in the face of challenges, opposition, loss, or pain.
There have been moments when things seemed impossible, when obstacles felt overwhelming, and when people stood against the mission God placed in my heart. But through it all, I have seen His hand guiding every step. When you commit your life to serving God by serving people and remain obedient to His calling, you live a life of fulfillment, joy, peace, prosperity, and love. It is not about good or bad luck; it is about trusting in the purpose He has set before you and walking in faith, knowing that He will always provide a way.
Contact Info:
- Email: wecare@lagoinhaorlando.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wecare.loc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsMTgX7Dthw&list=PL32vCpFuPGrjvlHEAfrnXACK6sgkK_lWk
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/denisfaguiar/
