Assemblies of God marks 25 years of consecutive growth

Over the past quarter century, the Assemblies of God, USA, has established a strong tradition of growth, with 2014 marking its 25th consecutive year of increase in adherents. In the statistical report recently presented to the AG’s Executive Presbytery, the Assemblies of God now has 3,146,741 adherents — the highest number of adherents on record.

The Assemblies of God, USA, growth streak began in 1990. In 1989, the AG reported 2,137,890 adherents. Since then, the AG has seen 47 percent growth in adherents to its current level of more than 3.1 million.

What is of particular note about the past 25 years of AG growth is that according to U.S. Census statistics, the U.S. population grew by approximately 29 percent (246.8 million to 318.9 million) in the same time period that the AG grew by 47 percent.

The AG has also shown a strong trend in becoming increasingly diversified in the last quarter century. In 1989, 20 percent of AG churches were primarily non-white ethnic minority; today 35 percent are. Currently, more than 40 percent of all AG USA adherents are non-white ethnic minority. And possibly to the surprise of some, millennials are a strong part of the AG, with those ages 18-34 making up nearly a quarter (23.4 percent) of church adherents.

Earlier this year, the AG also reported a record number of churches, with 12,849, and a record number of ministers, with 36,884.

“The growth of the Assemblies of God can only be attributed to God’s blessing and His work through the Holy Spirit,” says AG General Superintendent George O. Wood. “It’s through the infilling of the Spirit that we are given the confidence, the words, and the power to proclaim the gospel to our friends, neighbors, communities, and around the world (Acts 1:8).”

Ed Stetzer, executive director of Lifeway Research, says, “Twenty-five years is a remarkable and sustained growth. It speaks well to the health, and the future, of the Assemblies of God. I thank God for what He is doing in the Movement, here in the United States, and around the world.”

In addition to adherents, the AG 2014 statistical report indicated 80,951 first-time baptisms in the Holy Spirit, 134,321 water baptisms, 463,109 conversions, 285,301 attending Sunday p.m. worship services, and two additional records: a membership increase to 1,812,126 and major worship service(s) attendance increase to 1,927,575.

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