Reaching out like a beacon of hope, Assembléia de Deus Adramos stands as a testament to faith. It is a vibrant spiritual home in Rio de Janeiro. This Assembléia de Deus is more than just a church. It is a family united by Pentecostal beliefs.
Assemblies of God trace their roots back to 1911. Daniel Berg and Gunnar Vingren founded the movement. They were Swedish Pentecostal missionaries. They arrived in Belém Brazil. There they established the Missão de Fé Apostólica. It was later renamed Assembleia de Deus in 1918. The Assembleias de Deus are part of the global Pentecostal movement.
The early Assembleia de Deus had strong ties to the Scandinavian Pentecostal movement. Lewi Pethrus led this movement. He provided financial support and missionaries. In 1932 the Swedish Pentecostals granted autonomy to the Brazilian Assembleia de Deus. The American Assemblies of God then increased their presence. They influenced doctrine and teaching. Yet the Brazilian church remained independent.
The Assembleias de Deus has experienced schisms and splits since 1911. This has led to many independent conventions and ministérios. They all share the name Assembleia de Deus. The Convenção Geral das Assembleias de Deus no Brasil (CGADB) is significant. It is the original convention. Its headquarters are in Belém do Pará. The CGADB sees itself as the heir to the Swedish mission. It includes almost twenty thousand ministries.
Another major denomination is the National Convention of the Assemblies of God Madureira Ministry. Pastor Paulo Leivas Macalão founded it. This ministry formed on November 15 1958. Madureira had been a part of CGADB. However differences in leadership led to its separation.
Assembléia de Deus Adramos is part of a larger story. It is about the Assembleias de Deus sending missionaries abroad. This began in 1913. A Portuguese immigrant was sent back to Portugal. Today Brazilian missionaries serve in Latin America and Portuguese-speaking Africa. The Assembleias de Deus also exist in Brazilian communities. These communities are in North America Japan and Western Europe.
The Assembleias de Deus have a unique organizational structure. It is a non-territorial episcopal polity called ministério. Each ministério is led by a mother church. A pastor-president oversees the mother church. They may also be called bishop or apostle. Affiliated congregations and preaching points operate under this leadership. The mother church manages finances. It also assigns pastors. Pastoral leadership strongly influences decisions.
Doctrine varies among the Assembleias de Deus in Brazil. However they share core beliefs. These include the Bible as the ultimate authority. They believe in Christ’s death for humanity. Adult baptism by immersion is practiced. They celebrate Holy Communion with grape juice. Tithing is considered an obligation. They believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The premillennial return of Jesus is expected.
Visiting Assembleia de Deus Adramos offers more than worship. It is an encounter with a living faith. Services provide spiritual enrichment. They include Tuesday’s Culto de Edificação Espiritual. Thursday features the Culto de Milagres. Sunday offers Escola Bíblica and Culto Evangelístico. The Santa Ceia is celebrated on the first Saturday and third Sunday.
As you leave Assembléia de Deus Adramos remember its enduring spirit. It embodies community and faith. Its influence extends far beyond its walls. It enriches the spiritual landscape of Rio de Janeiro and beyond.