One of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world:

Pentecostal Roots (Early 190O0s)

The Assemblies of God grew out of the Pentecostal revival movement of the early 20th century. Pentecostalism emphasized:

A direct, emotional experience of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues (glossolalia) as a sign of Spirit baptism.

Divine healing, prophecy, and miracles.

The most famous spark was the Azusa Street Revival (Los Angeles, 1906–1909), led by Black preacher William J. Seymour. The revival was interracial, vibrant, and drew people from across the country. It launched the Pentecostal movement worldwide.

Founding of the Assemblies of God (1914)

In 1914, about 300 Pentecostal leaders met in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to form a cooperative fellowship. They wanted to:

Coordinate missions work.

Train ministers.

Provide accountability while still valuing congregational independence.

They chose the name Assemblies of God and emphasized evangelism and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Doctrinal Distinctives

The AG follows basic evangelical Protestant beliefs but with Pentecostal distinctives:

Bible: Inspired and authoritative.

Salvation: By faith in Jesus Christ.

Spirit Baptism: A separate experience after salvation, evidenced by speaking in tongues.

Healing: Belief in divine healing through prayer.

Second Coming: Strong emphasis on Christ’s imminent return.

Growth & Influence

The Assemblies of God became one of the fastest-growing denominations of the 20th century:

Missions: From the beginning, AG was highly missions-oriented, sending thousands of missionaries worldwide.

Education: Founded Bible colleges and universities to train pastors and missionaries.

Media: Used radio, TV, and later the internet to spread Pentecostal worship and evangelism.

By the mid-20th century, the AG had become the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world.

Social & Cultural Stances

The AG has generally taken conservative positions on social issues:

Marriage & Sexuality: Strongly opposed to same-sex marriage and homosexual relationships.

Abortion: Considered morally wrong, except in rare cases (such as saving the mother’s life).

Gender Roles: Historically male-led, but women can be ordained as pastors and missionaries (reflecting Pentecostal openness to Spirit empowerment for both genders).

Worship: Known for energetic services, contemporary music, speaking in tongues, healing services, and revival-style preaching.

Today

U.S. Membership: About 3 million members, over 13,000 congregations.

Global Reach: More than 70 million adherents worldwide, making it one of the largest Christian denominations globally.

Demographics: The AG is growing fastest in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, where Pentecostalism has exploded.

Key Takeaway

The Assemblies of God was founded in 1914 out of the Pentecostal revival movement. It emphasizes Spirit baptism, tongues, healing, and evangelism, and today is a global powerhouse of Pentecostal Christianity with a mix of conservative social values and charismatic worship.