“Feeling lost?,” I ask. Here, standing before the Assembleia de Deus da Areosa in Porto, we’re about to uncover a story that stretches back over a century. The Assembleia de Deus da Areosa is part of a larger movement with roots in Brazil. Two Portuguese emigrants, José Plácido da Costa and José de Matos Caravela started it all. They had converted to Christianity in Brazil. Both returned to Portugal to begin their Pentecostal work.
José Plácido da Costa returned in 1913. José de Matos Caravela followed in 1921. The first organized Assembleia de Deus church in Portugal was founded in 1924. It was in Portimão. José de Matos was also responsible for churches in the Algarve, Santarém and Alcanhões.
The Assembleia de Deus quickly spread throughout Portugal. Missionaries from Sweden helped. Portuguese workers also contributed greatly. A church was established in Porto in 1930. This was with the help of Swedish missionary Daniel Berg. Isabel Guerreiro, an evangelist, started one in Évora in 1932. A missionary named Jack Hardstedt assisted in Lisbon in 1934.
Initially, the Assembleia de Deus in Portugal aligned with the Swedish Pentecostal Movement. They received missionaries and funds from them. Later, they aligned with the American Assemblies of God. In 1972, the American Assemblies of God built a seminary. It was located in Monte Esperança near Lisbon.
From Portugal, the Assembleia de Deus expanded to overseas territories. These included Angola, Guiné, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Also, Mozambique and Timor-Leste saw expansion. These territories later became independent nations. They maintained ties with their Portuguese counterparts.
The Convenção das Assembleias de Deus em Portugal is significant. It has almost 400 churches. It is the largest Protestant denomination in Portugal. There are also affiliated churches in other countries. These include Germany, France, England, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the United States. In 2008, the CADP hosted the World Congress of the Assemblies of God.
Other denominations share the same name. They originated from Brazilian immigrants. They also came from schisms within the CADP. Examples include the Assembleia de Deus Missionária. Also, the Assembleia de Deus Universal.
The Assembleia de Deus da Areosa stands as a testament. It shows the enduring impact of faith. It also showcases the global connections of this religious movement. From humble beginnings to international reach, its story continues. The Assembleia de Deus continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing world around it. Its mission remains steadfast.