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From the De Doorns to Brazil: Local Leader Joins Global Men’s Movement
Posted by Abongile Tyenjana 
on
19 August 2025 8:00 PM
CAT
For five days in August, more than a thousand men from across the world gathered in Uberlândia, Brazil, for the Legendarios Men’s Program — a life-changing experience of transformation, faith, and brotherhood. Among them was
Douglas De Bruyn, a community leader from the farming region of De Doorns, South Africa, who says the journey has forever marked his life.
“Legendarios is more than a program; it is a movement of men returning to their God-given identity," De Bruyn explained. “From the moment we arrived, we were stripped of comfort, pride, and distractions. The focus was on surrender, courage, and becoming men of purpose.”
The program, hosted from 14 to 18 August, is renowned for its intense physical and spiritual challenges. Participants endure long days filled with physical activities, reflective silence, brotherhood circles, and deeply moving moments of worship and prayer.
“Every challenge was designed to break down the false masks we wear as men,” De Bruyn shared. “We faced fatigue, fear, and even our past pain — but in the end, we discovered freedom and strength in Christ.”
For De Bruyn, the journey from South Africa to Brazil was not just about personal transformation. It was about bringing hope back to his community. As the founder of youth and social development initiatives in farming communities, he believes what he experienced will ripple through the lives of many.
“This is not just for me. It’s for every young man I mentor, every father searching for direction, and every family that needs a man who will lead with love and integrity.”
The Legendarios movement began in Brazil but has since expanded globally, drawing men who are hungry for deeper meaning beyond cultural expectations of masculinity. Its impact is evident not only in the men who attend but also in the communities they return to.
Reflecting on the program, De Bruyn said:
“I came back with a new vision — to see men rise, free from shame and addiction, strong in faith, and committed to their families and communities. We are raising a new generation of men who will not bow to fear but will walk in truth.”
His participation was made possible through the support of local schools, businesses, and community members who rallied behind his trip. “I am deeply grateful for every prayer, every financial contribution, and every word of encouragement,” he said. “Because of you, I could walk this journey — and now, I return to share it with many others.”
As De Bruyn continues his work in South Africa, he hopes to establish similar spaces of transformation for men locally. “We don’t need to travel far to find God’s call on our lives. We just need to be willing to step out of the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary.”
