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Due to
the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the
beginning of the 20th century in America many holiness
movements were formed. For the independent fellowships
and churches of the believers who were baptised in the
Holy Spirit, there was no common doctrine or leadership.
This was seen as a shortcoming in the pioneer work of
Pentecostal churches.
A great gathering of believers was organised in the
Grand Opera House in Hot Springs, Arkansas in America
from April 2 to 12, 1914 under the leadership of God's
servant, Rev. E.N. Bell. The pastors, ministers and
representatives of the churches of holiness movement
attended these meetings. They decided to unify their
ministry and doctrines, and to work in mutual
cooperation.
 They also decided to name this formation of
church as the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
Rev. E.N. Bell became the first Chairman of the
Assemblies of God. The title, 'Chairman' later became
'General Superintendent'. Rev. Ernest S. Williams, Rev.
Ralph M. Riggs, Rev. Thomas Zimmerman, Rev. Raymond
Carlson, Rev. Thomas Trask, etc. gave able leadership to
AG during these years. Now, Rev. George O. Wood (General
Superintendent) and Rev. James Bradford (General
Secretary) are giving leadership to the ministry of AG
in the United States.
Assemblies of God in India
Assemblies of God stared its ministry in India in 1916.
Mrs. Mary Chapman, who reached India in 1920, started
her ministry in Mavelikkara in Kerala. The first
publication in India, 'Penthecosthu Kahalam' monthly was
started by Mrs. Chapman. The Bethel Bible School in
Punalur (Kerala) started by AG missionary, Rev. John H.
Berjus, is the first Pentecostal Bible school in India.
Pastor C. Manasshe, who was led to salvation and
Pentecostal experience from non-Christian background in
a miraculous way, became the first AG pastor in southern
Kerala. Later, Rev.C.T. Holomon, Pastors A.C. Samuel,
Victor Joseph, C. Kunjummon, Y. Jayaraj, Dr. C.T. Goerge,
etc. played an important part in the growth of AG. Rev.
E.A Sorbo ministered in southern Kerala for 30 years
from 1950.
The South India Assemblies of God was registered in
Bombay on August 17, 1951. When AG was formed in North
India in 1918, the missionary, Rev. Christian Shoon
Mayor became the first Chairman. Now, Pastor P.C. Samuel
is serving as the General Superintendent of AG North
India.
Pastor P.D. Johnson, who served for around 20 years from
1967 as SIAG General Secretary and India AG Executive
Secretary, and as AG Malayalam District Superintendent
for 10 years from 1980, played a crucial part in the
growth and development of AG movement.
India Assemblies of God.
The AG ministry in India is mainly spread through the
three broad fields South, East and North - and 20
districts. Each field is governed by an Executive
Committee under the leadership of a General
Superintendent, and each district is governed by a
District Executive Committee under the leadership of a
District Superintendent who are elected for a specific
period.
The first conference of the missionaries, ordained
ministers and representatives of churches from all the
above fields was held from February 20 to 22, 1995 in
New Delhi. During the conference, AG India Executive
Committee was elected: Dr. Y. Jayaraj as the General
Superintendent and Pastor T.J. Samuel as the General
Secretary. Pastor D. Mohan is serving as AG India
General Superintendent since 2004.
SIAG council is governed by Rev. P.S. Rajamony, Pastors
P.S. Philip, V.T. Abraham, C. Simon and G. Peter. There
are eight districts in SIAG. The AG India Executive
Committee is elected for a period of three years. AG
India was registered on November 17, 1997 in Chennai.
Assemblies of God around the world
According to the statistics available till December 31,
2008, the global position and growth of Assemblies of
God is tremendous. AG has spread its work in 214
countries during these 95 years. It is the largest
Pentecostal movement in the world.
1.The number of churches: 3,22,537
2. Ministers : 3,30,207
3.Bible schools: 2,143
4.Bible school students : 1,00,242
5. AG believers : 6,15,45,617
It may be remembered that the global population is 600
crores. One per cent of the world population are AG
believers. That means every 100th person is a member of
an AG church. An AG church is established anywhere in
the world in every 30 minutes. A new believer is added
to AG fellowship in every 10 seconds. According to the
information up to 2006 AG in India has 7800 churches and
5000 ministers.
Conclusion
AG gives priority to global evangelisation, holy life of
believers, Christian learning, preaching of the Word of
God, global Christian fellowship, etc. If the coming of
the Lord tarries Assemblies of God will celebrate its
centenary in 2014. All glory to the Lamb of God!
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