Did Swedish missionaries ever imagine their faith would bloom so vibrantly in Brazil? Here, before the Igreja Evangélica Assembléia de Deus, we uncover a story of transcontinental faith. The Igreja Evangélica Assembléia de Deus stands as a testament to the Pentecostal movement’s global reach, a journey that started over 100 years ago. Two Swedish missionaries, Daniel Berg and Gunnar Vingren, arrived in Belém, Pará, in 1910. They answered a call, a divine revelation about Pará, although they initially didn’t even know where it was. They discovered their destination on a map and followed their “calling.”
The Igreja Evangélica Assembléia de Deus traces its roots to these missionaries. Originally named “Missão de Fé Apostólica” (Apostolic Faith Mission) in 1911, the church later adopted the name Assembleia de Deus in 1918. While another Pentecostal movement, the Christian Congregation of Brazil, spread in the south, the Assembleia de Deus took root in the Amazon and the Northeast. Migrants later brought this burgeoning faith to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in the late 1920s, expanding the church’s influence.
Initially, the Assembleia de Deus held close ties with the Scandinavian Pentecostal movement, led by Lewi Pethrus, who provided financial and missionary support. However, by 1932, the Brazilian Assembleia de Deus gained autonomy. While the American Assemblies of God increased their presence, particularly in doctrine and teaching, the Brazilian church maintained its independence. This dynamic is reflected in their self-perception as an independent church, despite being sometimes counted as a mission church by North American Assemblies of God.
The church experienced several schisms and splits throughout its history. The largest denomination, the Convenção Geral das Assembleias de Deus no Brasil (CGADB) considers itself the true heir of the original Swedish mission, headquartered in Belém. The Igreja Evangélica Assembléia de Deus also extended its mission beyond Brazil’s borders, sending missionaries abroad as early as 1913, starting with Portugal. Today, Brazilian missionaries can be found in Latin America and Portuguese-speaking Africa, carrying the Pentecostal flame ignited here, at the Igreja Evangélica Assembléia de Deus. The church’s influence is felt across Brazilian society, with representation even in the political sphere. It stands as a testament to the power of faith, carried across oceans and woven into the fabric of a nation. The Igreja Evangélica Assembléia de Deus continues to spread its message, a vibrant echo of the divine revelation that first brought two Swedish missionaries to Brazilian shores.