Along with the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the A/G believes the Bible is God's
inspired Word to man, that salvation is available only through Jesus Christ,
that divine healing is made possible through Jesus' suffering and death on the
cross, and that Jesus Christ will return for those who love Him.
From those early beginnings, there are an estimated 560 million Pentecostals in
the world today.
A/G leaders credit their church's rapid and continuing growth (20.4 % in U.S.
adherents in the decade between 1989-99) to its acceptance of the New Testament
as a model for the present-day church. Aggressive evangelism and mission zeal at
home and abroad characterize the church. Brazil has the largest number of A/G
adherents with over 15 million. The largest church in the world, Yoido Full
Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea, is an A/G congregation. As of 2007,
membership stands at 1 million with seven Sunday services translated into 16
languages. Its pastor, Dr. David Yonggi Cho, was chairman of the World A/G
Fellowship from 1992 to 2000.
Hillsong Church is another megachurch which is affiliated with Australian
Christian Churches (the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God). Located in
Sydney, Australia, over 20,000 people attend services each week. Hillsong is
known internationally by its worship music which has topped Australian charts,
with albums achieving gold and platinum sales status. Hillsong Church's
international offshoots include Hillsong Church London, in the United Kingdom,
Hillsong Church Kiev in Ukraine, Hillsong Church Cape Town in South Africa ,
Hillsong Church Stockholm in Sweden and Hillsong NYC, in New York, USA. Hillsong
services are also held in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and Moscow.
As we remember the impact a fledgling group of Spirit-filled believers had on the
20th century, we believe that God can send a fresh outpouring of His Spirit
today in the 21st century.
Some well known Assemblies of God (current or former) members include the
following people:
|
Name |
Role |
Country |
Pastor / Evangelists |
|
|
|
Smith Wigglesworth |
Healing Evangelist, the "Apostle of Faith," instrumental in founding future Elim
and Assemblies of God national fellowships. Spoke at Assemblies of God
conferences but never joined the organization. |
UK |
|
David Wilkerson |
Former Assemblies of God evangelist. Founder of Teen Challenge, founder and
pastor of independent Times Square Church in New York City from 1987 until the
time of his death on April 27, 2011. Famous for book "The Cross and the
Switchblade," instrumental in conversion of Nicky Cruz. |
USA |
|
Alan Chambers |
President of Exodus International, the largest "ex-gay" organization in the
world |
USA |
|
Paul Crouch |
Co-founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network, the world's largest Christian
television network. The network has grown to 47 satellite stations and 12,500
affiliates, reaching nearly 100,000,000 households globally. |
USA |
|
Nicky Cruz |
Former gang member; now Assemblies of God minister. Author of autobiography Run
Baby Run |
USA |
|
John Hagee |
Founder and Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, a
non-denominational evangelical church with more than 19,000 active members. John
Hagee received his theological training from Southwestern Assemblies of God
University. |
USA |
|
Steve Hill |
Evangelist who led the Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida in the 1990s |
USA |
|
Benny Hinn |
Televangelist, hosts "This Is Your Day" on TBN, was ordained by the Assemblies
of God in 1994, and subsequently resigned his ordination in 1996. |
USA |
|
Aimee Semple McPherson |
Former Assemblies of God church planter and evangelist who later became the
founder of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. |
USA |
|
Gene Scott |
Internationally known preacher, former president of University Network and
helped found Oral Roberts University. |
USA |
|
Jim Bakker |
Founder of The PTL Club |
USA |
|
Jimmy Swaggart |
Former Assemblies of God evangelist. Televangelist, founder of Jimmy Swaggart
Ministries, and gospel music artist. Cousin to Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey
Gilley, began performing at the Ferriday First Assemblies of God church
(Ferriday, Louisiana). |
USA |
|
Bill Wilson |
Leader of Metro Ministries International. |
USA |
|
Brian Houston |
Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church |
Australia |
|
Danny Nalliah |
Pastor of The Fire Ministries in Melbourne, Victoria |
Australia |
|
David Yonggi Cho |
Senior Pastor of the largest church in the world, Yoido Full Gospel Church in
Seoul, South Korea |
Korea |
|
Samani Pulepule |
General Superintendent of the Samoan Assemblies of God Worldwide Fellowship
since 1967. Also Senior Pastor of the largest Samoan congregation in the World,
Auckland Samoan Assembly of God. Regarded as the eldest serving pastor and
superintendent in the Assemblies of God Worldwide. |
Samoa, based in New Zealand |
|
Nicholas Bhengu |
Spiritual giant, great leader and 20th century apostle in the A/G in South
Africa, Nicholas Bhengu was the founder of the Back To God movement. He won the
hearts of whites and blacks alike throughout Southern Africa and abroad with his
simple yet profound preaching, spiritual insight and wisdom. |
South Africa |
|
David du Plessis |
One of the founding fathers of the charismatic movement outside of the
traditional Pentecostal churches. |
South Africa |
|
James (Jim) Mullan |
Beloved pioneer, apostle and tireless worker for God in the A/G South Africa,
Jim Mullan was undoubtedly one reason why the A/G in South Africa grew so
rapidly in the 20th century. |
South Africa |
|
Samuel (Sam) Ennis |
Sam Ennis was among those who withdrew from the A/G in SA. He took an active
role in the establishment of a new organization called the Assemblies of God
Fellowship (AGF). |
South Africa |
|
Ray McCauley |
Senior Pastor of Rhema Bible Church, President of International Federation of
Christian Churches IFCC, author and former champion body builder (former Mr
South Africa and 3rd in Mr. Universe). Ray McCauley was saved in the A/G in
Norwood. After attending Kenneth Hagin's Bible College in the US, he came back
to South Africa and started Rhema Bible Church. |
South Africa |
Entertainers |
|
|
|
Elvis Aron Presley (1935-1977) |
"King of Rock & Roll," singer, actor, born in Tupelo, Mississippi, sang in choir
at First Assemblies of God (Tupelo) and at camp meetings. |
USA |
|
The Jonas Brothers |
The father of these pop stars, Paul Kevin Jonas, Sr. is ordained Assemblies of
God Minister and former pastor in Wyckoff, New Jersey |
USA |
|
Gary Chapman |
Singer/songwriter. Parents (Mary
[1936-2002] and Terry) were both ordained Assemblies of God ministers and
pastored an Assemblies of God church in Texas. |
USA |
|
Toni Childs |
Pop singer, raised in the Assemblies of God. |
USA |
|
Kate Gosselin |
Kate Plus 8 show. [1] |
USA |
|
Phil Keaggy |
Guitarist, singer, songwriter and founding member of rock band Glass Harp. Two
weeks after Keaggy's mother died in 1970 he became a Christian and attended a
small Assemblies of God church in Boardman, Ohio. |
USA |
|
Jerry Lee Lewis |
Rock-and-roll star, pianist, singer. At age 8 sang for Ferriday First Assemblies
of God church (Ferriday, Louisiana), played at tent revivals. Cousin to Jimmy
Swaggart and Mickey Gilley. |
USA |
|
Scott Perkins |
Radio personality. Known as the "Country Parson" to country music listeners in
the Topeka, Kansas market. He pastors the FarmHouse Cowboy Church in Topeka,
Kansas. |
USA |
|
Kristy Starling |
Contemporary Christian music artist, former participant in Assembly of God
National Fine Arts Festival competition. |
USA |
|
Guy Sebastian |
Pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who attended Paradise Community Church. He
was the first winner of Australian Idol (2003) and is a judge on the Australian
version of The X-Factor. Has sung with the then Paradise Community Church Youth
Conference Planetshakers. |
Australia |
|
Moya Brennan |
Grammy award winning Irish singer |
Ireland |
Politicians |
|
|
|
John Ashcroft |
Known as the first Assemblies of God congressman, former US attorney General,
Missouri senator (1995), and Missouri Governor (1985-93). |
USA |
|
Sarah Palin |
Former Governor of Alaska and GOP Vice President Candidate. Attended Assemblies
of God Church for 2 decades until 2002. |
USA |
|
Todd Tiahrt |
U.S. Representative from Kansas 4th District, graduate of Evangel College
Springfield, Missouri. |
USA |
|
Doug Wead |
Former special assistant to George H.W. Bush and author. Once an Assemblies of
God evangelist. |
USA |
|
Vern Clark |
Admiral (United States Navy, Retired) - Former Chief of Naval Operations,
graduate of Evangel College Springfield, Missouri. |
USA |
|
Kgosi Lucas Manyane Mangope |
Former leader of the Bantustan of Bophuthatswana and current leader of the
United Christian Democratic Party, a minor political party based in the North
West province of South Africa. Mrs Mangope was a devout Christian elected to
head the women's movement of the Back to God Crusade. Lucas Mangope was a member
and patron of the Assembly of God at Motswedi, his home village. [2] |
South Africa |
|
Andrew Evans |
Previously Senior Pastor of Paradise Church. Founder of the Family First Party
and Member of the South Australian Legislative Council |
Australia |