Christ and cocaine: Rio’s gangs of God blend faith and violence

In the city's favelas, a new generation of narco-pentecostals' are embracing Christian symbols

Pastor, do you think we could hold a service at my house next Thursday?" the peroxide-haired gangster wondered, cradling an AK-47 in his lap as he took a seat beside the man of God.

A few months earlier, the 23-year-old had bought his first home with the fruits of his illegal work as a footsoldier for one of Rio de Janeiro's drug factions. Now, he wanted to give thanks for the blessings he believed he had received from above.