How did a Swedish-American initiative become a cornerstone of faith in Brazil? Right here stands Assembleia de Deus – Um Ministério Adorador. It is part of a larger story. The Assembleias de Deus began with Swedish Baptist missionaries Gunnar Vingren and Daniel Berg. They arrived in Belém in 1910.
Initially they attended a Baptist church. They introduced glossolalia. This is speaking in spiritual languages. This caused disagreement among the Baptists. Some embraced it. Others rejected it. In 1911 the Assembleia de Deus in Brazil was founded.
Over time the Assembleias de Deus faced divisions. This led to various independent organizations. They all used the same name. Assembleia de Deus. Despite their independence they share core beliefs.
The Assembleias de Deus consider the Bible as the sole doctrine source. They believe in Christ’s death. They practice adult baptism. They celebrate Holy Communion. Grape juice is used instead of wine. Tithing is an obligation. They recognize the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They anticipate Jesus’ premillennial return.
Today Assembleia de Deus – Um Ministério Adorador is part of a significant movement. It has shaped the religious landscape of Brazil. It shows the lasting impact of those early missionaries. Their dedication helped establish a vibrant and influential church.
The Assembleias de Deus have a non-territorial episcopal polity. Each ministério is directed by a mother church. A pastor-president leads it. The mother church manages funds. It assigns pastors. Pastoral leadership has strong influence. Members typically support the ministry’s decisions.
The Assembleias de Deus have sent missionaries abroad. It began in 1913. A returning Portuguese immigrant went to Portugal. Now Brazilian missionaries are in Latin America. They are also in Portuguese-speaking Africa. There are Assembleias de Deus in Brazilian immigrant communities. These are in North America, Japan and Western Europe.
Here Assembleia de Deus – Um Ministério Adorador stands as a testament. It embodies the journey of faith. It reflects the ongoing evolution of Pentecostalism in Brazil. It is a living legacy. It honors the dedication of its founders and followers.