Belém, Pará, and the First “Assembly of God” (1910–1918)

In the river-port city of Belém, at the mouth of the Amazon, a small group of believers became the seedbed of a new Pentecostal witness in Brazil. Swedish missionaries Daniel Berg and Adolf Gunnar Vingren arrived there in 1910, convinced that the risen Christ still saves, sanctifies, and empowers His people for holy living and bold testimony. Their message centered on the cross and resurrection, calling hearers to repentance, faith, and obedience.

They urged earnest prayer for the Holy Spirit’s power, echoing Jesus’ promise: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In homes and simple gatherings, believers sought God with sincerity, expecting Him to work as in the book of Acts.

Daniel Berg (1884–1963)

Berg was marked by practical faith and quiet endurance. He served without pretense, willing to labor with his hands and to bear hardship for the sake of the gospel. His steadiness under pressure modeled courage that is not loud but faithful—remaining at his post when misunderstanding and opposition would have made retreat easier.

His ministry emphasized devotion to Scripture, integrity of life, and confidence that God builds His church through ordinary obedience.

Adolf Gunnar Vingren (1879–1933)

Vingren was known for preaching and teaching, pressing the claims of Christ upon the conscience. He called professing believers to holiness, not as mere outward form, but as the fruit of a changed heart. His leadership helped organize young converts into disciplined fellowship, where prayer, worship, and the Word shaped a distinct Christian community.

Together, Berg and Vingren held a simple conviction: the gospel must be proclaimed without shame. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

June 11, 1918: Formal Establishment and Lasting Fruit

On June 11, 1918, the congregation in Belém was formally registered as an “Assembly of God” church, giving public identity to a work that had grown through years of perseverance. From this faithful beginning, a gospel witness spread across Brazil—strengthening families, planting churches, and urging believers to live with courage, prayerfulness, and reverent fear of God. Their story endures as a reminder that God often advances His kingdom through humble servants who simply trust Him and do not turn back.