“Ever wonder how a small group’s vision can blossom into an international movement?” Here, before us, stands the Igreja Cristã Pentecostal da Bíblia do Brasil. It is a testament to faith and perseverance.
Let’s delve into the story of this Pentecostal denomination. The Igreja Cristã Pentecostal da Bíblia do Brasil emerged in 1958. It sprouted from a group that separated from the Igreja Presbiteriana Independente do Brasil. Reverend Epaminondas Silveira Lima and Ada Endrigo Silveira Lima founded it.
The seeds of this church were sown in the late 1940s. A group within the Igreja Presbiteriana Independente do Brasil sought spiritual renewal. They gathered for retreats. These meetings were held at a site and in the home of Epaminondas and Ada Silveira Lima. They also connected with missionary Harold Edwin Williams.
A pivotal moment occurred when Ada Silveira Lima spoke in tongues during a trip abroad. Initially resistant, Epaminondas later embraced the experience. He received the baptism as well. The growing fervor, however, led to a separation from the Igreja Presbiteriana Independente do Brasil.
Harold Edwin Williams gave Oral Roberts’ tent to Epaminondas. Lima then initiated the Cruzada Brasileira de Evangelização. The first tents were pitched in Cambuci, Pari and Jabaquara. The national headquarters of the denomination was built in Jabaquara. Later, the church adopted the name ICPB – Ministério Porta da Vida.
Today, the Igreja Cristã Pentecostal da Bíblia do Brasil extends beyond São Paulo. It has churches in Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina and Paraná. It also has locations in Sergipe, Alagoas, Maranhão, Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia, Ceará and Rio de Janeiro. Its reach extends internationally to Chile and the USA. The American Pentecostal Bible Church is one of its churches abroad.
Since 1981, the Igreja Cristã Pentecostal da Bíblia do Brasil maintains the Seminário Teológico Porta da Vida. The church also runs APVIDAS. This non-profit organization supports nursing homes, recovery centers, and needy families.
The Igreja Cristã Pentecostal da Bíblia do Brasil remains a beacon of faith. It started with a small group. Now, it is a global community. It continues to spread its message of hope and salvation. Its history is a reminder that faith can move mountains.