“What began with the Anabaptist movement in 16th-century Switzerland?” This question echoes through the history of Igreja Evangélica Nazareno. It stands as a testament to faith and community in São Paulo.
The story of Igreja Evangélica Nazareno starts with Samuel Heinrich Froehlich. He founded the church in Switzerland in the early 19th century. Froehlich disagreed with the state church’s practice of infant baptism.
Later in the 19th century, Nazarene families moved to the United States and Brazil. They established local churches in the early 20th century. The Igreja Evangélica Nazareno has roots that go back centuries.
The Igreja do Nazareno is special. It did not emerge from division. Instead, it grew from churches seeking a life of holiness. In the late 19th century, a movement for biblical expansion developed in the USA. It took the form of organized churches. This movement led to the birth of the Igreja do Nazareno.
The church emphasizes sanctification through faith. It follows Christ’s example. It preaches the Gospel to the poor. The Igreja Evangélica Nazareno expanded along the west coast. It reached east to Illinois. Many independent groups joined the Igreja do Nazareno.
From its foundation, the denomination expanded abroad. Missionaries were sent to South America and Mexico. They also went to Cape Verde, India, Japan, and South Africa. The church supports hospitals and schools worldwide. These include China, Calcutta, India, and Brazil.
The denomination has over 1.5 million members globally. Leaders say the Igreja do Nazareno is now an international community of faith. It is no longer just an international presence.
In Brazil, the Igreja do Nazareno sought to “Christianize Christianity.” The first service was held on October 12, 1958. This was in Campinas, São Paulo. The Igreja do Nazareno Internacional celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Three American families attended. They were the Mostellers, Gates, and Stegmollers. Some Brazilians also joined.
More Americans and Cape Verdeans arrived. They led the newly formed church for years. New members joined. The meeting room became too small. A traditional hall was rented on Avenida Francisco Glicério. Five years later, they bought a building on the same avenue. This became the first Igreja do Nazareno in Brazil.
The Stegemoller family moved to Brazil in 1958. They asked the International Headquarters to send missionaries. Reverend Earl E. Mosteller and Reverend Carlos Gates were sent to Campinas. Reverend Ronaldo Denton was sent to Belo Horizonte. The first evangelism conferences took place in August 1959. They were led by Reverend C. T. Corbett.
The Igreja do Nazareno Central de Campinas was officially organized in October 1960. It was the first in Brazil. Reverend L. Aguiar Valvassoura has led the church since 1980.
In 1958, 19% of Nazarene members lived outside the United States. By 1981, foreign members made up 28%. In 1991, numbers exceeded 1 million members worldwide. 43% lived outside the USA.
Reverend José Zito Oliveira from Cape Verde wanted to bring the Igreja do Nazareno to Brazil. He arrived in Santos in 1956. He initially wanted to go to Argentina. However, that opportunity closed. He waited patiently for the official arrival of the Igreja do Nazareno.
Ervin Stegemoeller and his wife Marjorie sent a letter to the Church headquarters. They requested missionaries to establish the Igreja do Nazareno in Brazil.
The Mosteller family arrived in Brazil in 1958. Reverend Earl Elwood Mosteller invited Reverend José Zito to join the project. Zito accepted. He affirmed his calling to pastoral ministry. Reverend José Zito met Ervin Stegemoeller in Santos. The Stegemoellers provided for the missionaries in Campinas. The Gates family arrived weeks later. They also settled in Campinas under the Stegemoellers’ care.
Reverend José Zito moved to Campinas in 1959. He resumed his academic studies under Reverend Mosteller. He received intensive pastoral training. Reverend José Zito was the first Nazarene to prepare for ministry in Brazil. He was the only student of SIBIN. This later became the Seminary and Bible Institute of the Igreja do Nazareno. Reverend José Zito helped establish congregations and temples. He worked on starting the first church in Campinas.
Igreja Evangélica Nazareno’s history is rich. It demonstrates faith and community. It will continue to be a beacon of hope.