Article | - 6:52 pm
Join Us This Wednesday, July 9, to Celebrate 48 Years of Spreading the Gospel
• The first temple opened on July 9, 1977, in a former funeral home.
• Now in 150+ countries with 12,000+ temples and 626,000+ volunteers.
• The Gospel is shared in 100 languages through radio, TV, the internet, and print.
• Stood firm through persecution, legal battles, and media attacks.
• Built on the unchanging foundation of the Bible and obedience to God.
• 15+ social programs help those in prisons, nursing homes, and more.
• Join us this Wednesday, July 9, for a special service at 7 PM as we celebrate 48 years of spreading the Gospel.
• Pastors will wash the feet of attendees, as Jesus did for His disciples.
We will study the Word, seek the Holy Spirit, and reflect on this journey of faith.
• Everyone is welcome! For more info, call 1-888-332-4141 or text 1-888-312-4141.
The bandstand grew too small, leading The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God to transform an old funeral home into its first temple, which opened on July 9, 1977, in the Abolição neighborhood of northern Rio de Janeiro. Now, more than 12,000 temples can be found throughout Brazil and in over 150 countries.
The voice of a man who left everything to preach the Gospel now resonates in 100 different languages and dialects. Today, thousands of pastors, their wives, and more than 626,000 volunteers proclaim the Word of God throughout the world. The speaker and microphone have evolved—the propagation of the Gospel today occurs through:
• Radio and television stations
• The internet
• Printed newspapers like the Universal News (Folha Universal in Brazil), which reaches over 1.7 million people weekly
These nearly 18,000 days of history have included:
• Persecution
• Biased news coverage
• Defamation
• Slander
• Legal proceedings that led to the imprisonment of Bishop Macedo (depicted in the movie Nothing to Lose)
We thank God for these experiences! Each challenge has provided opportunities for learning and growth, affirming that one thing remains constant: the Word of God.
The Bible has always been the foundation of this work and continues to guide it and mold it every day. As described in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, every step of The Universal Church is influenced by Scripture. From each Altar, we do not preach a doctrine but, instead, we preach:
• Repentance
• Baptism in water
• Baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)
• Intelligent faith (Romans 10:17)
• Rational worship (Romans 12:1)
• Practice of the Word of God (James 1:22)
• Faithfulness (Malachi 3:10)
• All that is in Holy Scripture
A key aspect of our dedication is conveying the essence of the Word of God as clearly and simply as possible. There’s a popular saying, “Words convince, but examples carry.” Before teaching, The Universal Church puts its teachings into practice. The fruits of these 48 years are evident through:
• Countless testimonies
• 15 social programs
• Various humanitarian efforts worldwide
Whether we are in schools, prisons, orphanages, nursing homes, hospitals, or cemeteries, whether planning events months in advance or responding to unforeseen disasters, The Universal Church spares no effort to support those in need and experiencing neglect, often reaching individuals who may not even be aware of its existence.
For those wondering how we can give so much without expecting anything in return, face numerous challenges, overcome them, and continue to open temples in Brazil and worldwide, the answer is straightforward: obedience to the Word of God, submission to the Holy Spirit, and learning and maturing through each situation lived.
There is still much to do, much to learn, and billions of souls to reach. Thus, The Universal Church continues to advance until the return of the Lord Jesus, as instructed in 1 Corinthians 15:58,
“… steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
This Wednesday, July 9th, we invite you to a special service at 7 PM as we celebrate 48 years of The Universal Church fulfilling its mission to spread the Gospel. Before this special service, pastors will wash the feet of those attending, as the Lord Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.
How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation… (Isaiah 52:7)
During this service, we will:
• Study the Word of God
• Seek the Holy Spirit
• Pray for the souls and for the work of God in this world
• Receive a special message reflecting on these 48 years of The Universal Church serving the Lord Jesus—The lessons learned and how they relate to your life.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of religious beliefs or background. Come as you are. For locations of The Universal Church nationwide, please click here. For more information, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text 1-888-312-4141.
For those who live in areas without a location of The Universal Church or are unable to commute due to health reasons, you may connect to our Virtual Church via Zoom Conference (click here).
Contributors:
Folha Universal (Translated and Adapted From Original)
