The Assemblies of God is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely associated national groupings of churches that form the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination. They have more than 375,000 ministers in over 200 countries ministering to approximately 67.5 million adherents worldwide, making them the fourth largest international Christian denomination. The member denominations are entirely independent and autonomous; however, they are united by shared beliefs and history.
The Assemblies was founded at a general conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas in 1914, originating from the Pentecostal revival of the early 20th century. In the second half of the 20th century they expanded into a worldwide movement through foreign missionary work and establishing relationships with other Pentecostal churches. It was not until 1988, however, that the world fellowship was formed.
The Assemblies of God have operated from Springfield, Missouri, the location of the Gospel Publishing House, since 1914. Since 1919 the Pentecostal Evangel (originally the Christian Evangel) has been the main publication of the AG. After WWII the Assemblies of God saw tremendous growth as Pentecostalism gained public acceptance.
Notable ministers from the AG are Jimmy Swaggart, Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker, David Wilkerson, Nicky Cruz, Smith Wigglesworth, Kenneth Hagin, Paul (David) Yonggi Cho, Paul & Jan Crouch, David Du Plessis, Aimee Semple, McPherson, John Hagee, and A. A. Allen.
What the Assemblies of God Believe