Assembleia de Deus Vitória em Cristo

Can you imagine a church growing from a small gathering in Penha to over 100 congregations across Brazil? That’s the story of the Assembleia de Deus Vitória em Cristo. Right here, in São Paulo, you stand before a testament to faith and perseverance. The Assembleia de Deus Vitória em Cristo, also known as ADVEC, began its journey in 1959 in Rio de Janeiro’s Penha neighborhood. Pastor José Pimentel de Carvalho founded the church, originally called Assembleia de Deus da Penha. He led the congregation for two and a half years, laying the groundwork for its future expansion. The church saw several pastoral changes in the following years. Pastor Sebastião Ferreira Pinto took the helm in 1962, followed briefly by Pastor Augusto Costa. Then, in late 1963, Pastor José Santos became the leader, officially organizing the church in 1964. Under his leadership, the Assembleia de Deus da Penha experienced significant growth, expanding to seven congregations. A milestone during Pastor Santos’ tenure was the inauguration of the temple on Rua Montevidéu in November 1996. He shepherded the church for an impressive 46 years until his passing in 2010. By then, the church boasted 15,000 members and 89 congregations across Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, and Pernambuco. In March 2010, Pastor Silas Malafaia was unanimously chosen to lead the church. Under his guidance, the church changed its name to Assembleia de Deus Vitória em Cristo. This change was made to avoid confusion with the Penha neighborhood, reflecting the church’s growth beyond its original location. In a significant move, Pastor Malafaia announced the church’s separation from the Convenção Geral das Assembleias de Deus no Brasil in May 2010. This decision established ADVEC as an independent entity. One of the remarkable achievements under Pastor Malafaia’s leadership was the inauguration of a new headquarters in 2014. This modern facility, with a capacity of 6,000 people, cost R$30 million and took over two years to build. The Assembleia de Deus Vitória em Cristo continues to expand its reach, touching countless lives with its message. From its humble beginnings, ADVEC has transformed into a vibrant and influential Pentecostal ministry, a testament to the power of faith and dedication.