Founded in 1969 the Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana stands as a testament to faith. It began with small prayer meetings in Sao Paulo. Odacio Egydio and Daniel Candido de Oliveira along with their wives were the founders. The church grew from humble beginnings. It now boasts hundreds of churches across Brazil. This Sao Paulo church is a significant part of that network. The Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana distinguishes itself from traditional Presbyterian denominations. It embraces modern apostleship. In 2012 it bestowed the title of apostle on its founding pastor Odacio Egydio. This is strongly rejected by traditional Presbyterian churches. It is generally accepted by neo-Pentecostal denominations.
Most Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana churches are autonomous. They function independently with their own presbyteries and leadership. They maintain their own financial independence. The Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana’s beliefs are firmly rooted in the Bible. They believe in the inerrancy of Scripture the Trinity the virgin birth of Jesus. They hold to Jesus’ dual nature both human and divine. They affirm the fall and total depravity of humankind. They emphasize salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. They believe in the death victory and physical resurrection of Jesus. They affirm Jesus’ bodily ascension to heaven and his return. They believe in eternal punishment for those who do not believe in Christ. They accept baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the only two sacraments. They see the church as the bride of Christ. Its mission is to spread the Christian message transforming human nature. This in turn will bring about societal redemption.
The Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana’s history is intertwined with the Igreja Presbiteriana Independente do Brasil. Its founding members were initially part of that denomination. During the 1960s and 1970s many groups within the Igreja Presbiteriana Independente do Brasil interacted with the Pentecostal movement. Several denominations emerged from this interaction. Some took on a Pentecostal perspective. The Igreja Presbiteriana Independente Renovada is one example. It merged with the Igreja Crista Presbiteriana in 1975 forming the Igreja Presbiteriana Renovada do Brasil. The Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana is another group that emerged.
In its early years the Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana held prayer meetings. It grew steadily needing to rent larger spaces for its gatherings. In 1975 the church formalized its structure with a constitution. The 1980s and 1990s were a period of significant missionary expansion throughout Sao Paulo state. By 2015 the Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana had thirteen churches across Brazil and even in Paraguay. Today the Igreja Evangelica Crista Presbiteriana continues to spread its message of faith and hope throughout Brazil. It remains a vibrant and influential part of Sao Paulo’s religious landscape.