World Assemblies of God Fellowship

World Assemblies of God Fellowship
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Name	World Assemblies of God Fellowship
Main classification	Pentecostal
Orientation	Evangelical
Polity	Cooperative fellowship
Founded date	1988 (fellowship)
Founded place	Tulsa, Oklahoma
Leader title	Chairman
Area	Global

World Assemblies of God Fellowship is a global cooperative fellowship of Pentecostal denominations that serves as a coordinating body for national Assemblies of God movements. It functions as an international network linking national councils, supporting missionary strategy, theological education, humanitarian relief, and global conferences used by leaders from diverse regions. The fellowship interacts with major evangelical bodies, engages in ecumenical dialogues, and participates in international missions networks.

History

The fellowship emerged from historical developments associated with the early 20th-century Azusa Street Revival, the formation of the Assemblies of God (USA), the influence of leaders like E. N. Bell and E. N. Bell (disambiguation), and subsequent global missions during the interwar and postwar eras. National movements such as the Brazilian Assemblies of God, the Assembléia de Deus (Portugal), the Assemblies of God in Australia, the Ghana Pentecostal Council, and the Korean Assemblies of God grew throughout the 20th century, prompting the need for an international coordinating body. In 1988 representatives from countries including United States, United Kingdom, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Philippines, Mexico, Argentina, and Japan convened to formalize cooperative structures for missions, doctrinal unity, and global representation at forums like the World Council of Churches and meetings with organizations such as Lausanne Movement.

Beliefs and Doctrine

Doctrinally the fellowship aligns with classical Pentecostal theology rooted in documents similar to the Statement of Fundamental Truths from national Assemblies of God bodies, emphasizing beliefs connected to figures and movements like Charles Parham, the Azusa Street Revival, and theologians influenced by John Wesley and Aimee Semple McPherson. Core doctrines include the authority of the Bible, the person and work of Jesus Christ, salvation through faith as articulated in creeds used by groups like the Nicene Creed in ecumenical dialogue, the baptism in the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues as practiced historically by revival movements, and the practice of water baptism and the Lord's Supper as shared with denominations such as the Baptist Convention and Methodist Church. The fellowship addresses theological issues debated by scholars associated with institutions like Fuller Theological Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Moody Bible Institute while maintaining distinctions from Roman Catholic Church positions on sacramental theology and from Seventh-day Adventist Church teachings on eschatology.

Organizational Structure and Governance

The fellowship operates as a cooperative, non-denominational umbrella connecting national councils such as the General Council of the Assemblies of God (Canada), the Assemblies of God in New Zealand, and the Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal councils. Governance is exercised through an international executive, regional vice-chairs, and triennial world congresses modeled on assemblies like the World Evangelical Alliance and inspired by consultative structures seen in bodies like the United Nations (for diplomatic engagement) and the World Health Organization (for humanitarian coordination). Leadership roles have featured prominent figures from national movements including leaders from Assemblies of God (USA), Brazilian Assemblies of God, and the Philippine General Council. Policy formation draws on input from theological commissions, mission boards, and agencies similar to Samaritan's Purse and World Vision International for relief partnerships.

Global Membership and Regional Fellowships

Membership comprises national Assemblies of God fellowships in regions represented by entities such as the Asia Pacific Assemblies of God Fellowship, the European Assemblies of God Alliance, the Latin American Assemblies of God Council, and regional groupings in Africa like the All Africa Ministerial Conferences. Large national bodies include the Assemblies of God (USA), the Assembleias de Deus (Brazil), the Iglesia de Dios Ministerial de Jesucristo Internacional (Puerto Rico), and the National Council of Churches in India-associated Pentecostal groups. The fellowship maps onto global Christianity patterns studied by scholars using data from projects like the Pew Research Center and institutions like the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Ministries and Activities

Major activities include missionary deployment coordinated with national mission agencies such as the Assemblies of God World Missions, humanitarian relief modeled with partners like International Red Cross-adjacent networks, disaster response in collaboration with regional bodies such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, church planting initiatives similar to movements led by Hillsong Church-associated networks, and leadership development programs comparable to curricula at Oral Roberts University and Regent University. The fellowship organizes world congresses, youth events reminiscent of Passion Conference, and ministers’ convocations interacting with ministries linked to figures like Billy Graham and institutions such as the Evangelical Fellowship of India.

Education and Institutions

Educational outreach is conducted through Pentecostal seminaries and Bible colleges including institutions analogous to Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Missouri State University-adjacent programs, the Asian Theological Seminary, Lee University, and numerous national Bible schools in Nigeria, Brazil, Philippines, and South Korea. These institutions engage with accreditation bodies similar to the Association of Theological Schools and participate in networks alongside seminaries like Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Dallas Theological Seminary.

Controversies and Criticism

The fellowship and affiliated national bodies have faced controversies comparable to issues in global evangelicalism: debates over charismatic practices traced to Azusa Street Revival, governance disputes reminiscent of conflicts in denominations such as United Methodist Church, financial accountability concerns paralleling scandals involving televangelists associated with individuals like Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart, and social stances on issues debated in forums involving United Nations human rights work and national law debates in countries like Brazil and United States. The fellowship’s responses have involved theologies and policies debated at conferences attended by representatives from organizations like Lausanne Movement and World Evangelical Alliance.

Category:Pentecostal churches Category:Christian organizations established in 1988