Identity
Decompression Manual 2026
A guide for those preparing to become Pier49 communing members
Ed Rocha · Helan Couto · Priscilla Couto
Last revised: March 2026
Getting to know Pier49
Since 2007, Ed and Dani Rocha carried the dream of planting a church prophesied to be a Bethel in Brazil. In 2012 Pier49 was born — an Organic Discipleship Movement. Today the network grows with relevant churches united by the vision of becoming like Christ, doing the works He did, and raising disciples in character and anointing (John 14:12). Helan and Priscilla Couto lead the continuation of this legacy.
Why the name Pier49?
A pier connects land and sea — humanity to God. The number 49 symbolizes fullness and perfection (7×7) and points to the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8), when debts are paid and slaves are set free.
Organic discipleship
Discipleship carried out not only by leaders, but by every disciple properly aligned and biblically submitted to their disciplers.
Doctrine
Scripture is our rule of faith and practice. We study Kingdom cultures, principles, foundations, and values. Our doctrinal base is “What we believe: the 49 pillars of Pier49”.
Vision, mission, and values
Vision: to be like Jesus (John 13:15; 1 John 2:6). Mission: to do the works He did (John 14:12) — a relevant church that reaches society beyond Sunday services, with a goal of seeing 10,000 people saved, healed, and set free. Values: personal and corporate revival that seeks reform in the city and the nation.
Our priorities
First: love the Father and attract His presence. Second: love our neighbor and reach the lost. We also preach the Kingdom, make disciples, manifest Christ's reign, help people discover purpose, support workers and missionaries, and live filled with the Spirit — healing the sick and operating in miracles. The two greatest cultural pillars are God's Presence and Honor.
Our leaders
Helan and Priscilla Couto are founding pastors of Pier49 Itaperuna and today shepherd the PIER49 Movement network across Brazil, with biblical and ministerial training and service as teachers.
Where do you fit?
God has a calling and destiny for every person. Pier49 exists to help you live the fullness of God, serve Christ's church, fulfill your destiny, and be relevant to your generation.
Communing member
Rights: receive discipleship and pastoral care (counseling, weddings, engagements, anniversaries, funerals, child dedications, etc.). Commitments: be discipled, join an Âncora group, tithe faithfully, serve, seek God's presence, practice honor, and live your purpose.
Ministry teams
We are all stewards and servants. Teams include Evangelism (bringing the Kingdom to the lost), Intercession, Life (welcome and hospitality), ID Kids and P49 Baby, Media and Communications, and Âncora (discipleship groups). Each area has practical functions of service, care, and Kingdom advance.
Important matters
Leadership: apostolic oversight, senior pastors, and assistant pastors. Discipleship: macro in Âncora groups and one-on-one. Pastoral acts: led by senior pastors for communing members. Courtship: Christian dating practiced with purity, reserving physical intimacy for marriage.
1. Presence
God's presence is our greatest value. We are Christ-centered: Christ at the center, Scripture revealed by the Holy Spirit. We relentlessly pursue more of God through prayer, fasting, and consecration.
2. Identity
We are sons and daughters, not slaves (Romans 8:15). God desires a relationship of love. We embrace our true identity as the King's children — royalty, priests, and prophets — and let the Father heal orphan-heartedness.
3. Power
Called to be filled with the Holy Spirit, heal the sick, operate in signs, and exercise spiritual gifts. Without the Spirit's fullness we remain spiritually immature.
4. Love
Jesus' command: love God above all and your neighbor as yourself — agape love that is sacrificial, giving, believing, and enduring.
5. Honor
We honor everyone, from the least to the greatest, with double honor for pastors (1 Timothy 5:17). The anointing we honor is the anointing we receive.
6. Submission
In the Kingdom there is authority only under authority. Biblical submission does not require agreeing on everything, but respecting leadership — as children honor parents, without controlling lives.
7. Alignment
Recognizing apostolic anointing and authority produces conformity and unity. Aligning with the senior pastor is serving Christ, who anointed and raised them up.
8. Service
Everyone is called to build the Kingdom in the local church. To love is to serve — we do not come only to receive, but to give and build until He returns.
9. Excellence
We reflect God in everything we do. We pursue a high standard of excellence because we do it for Him (Matthew 5:48; Colossians 3:23).
10. Discipleship
Christ's command lived out in Âncora groups through facilitators and leaders in training. Only aligned disciples in training disciple others at Pier49.
11. Confrontation
We reject gossip. We speak to people, not about them. We practice confrontation in love, even when leaders are involved.
12. Gratitude
Gratitude to God for everything. Tithes and offerings are acts of celebration and honor — generous and joyful — recognizing that all comes from Him and is for Him.