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Denomination Explorer

Christianity is not one tradition. It is a family shaped by centuries of faith, geography, and the many ways people have met God. Explore the full family here. All branches. No judgment.

Tradition:AllCatholicProtestantOrthodoxAnglicanEvangelicalPentecostalOther
Pentecostal1901–1906 (Azusa Street Revival); Assemblies of God 1914

Pentecostal (Assemblies of God)

📍 Topeka, Kansas; Los Angeles, USA

Spirit baptism, speaking in tongues, healing, and revival fire.

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Pentecostal1897

Church of God in Christ (COGIC)

📍 Memphis, Tennessee, USA

The largest Black Pentecostal church: holiness, healing, and the Holy Ghost.

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Pentecostal1974 (Kenn Gulliksen); expanded 1982 (John Wimber)

Vineyard Churches

📍 Southern California, USA

Third Wave charismatic: healing, words of knowledge, and the Kingdom breaking in.

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Pentecostal1923

International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

📍 Los Angeles, California, USA

Aimee Semple McPherson's Foursquare Gospel: Saviour, Baptiser, Healer, Coming King.

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Pentecostal1886

Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)

📍 Cherokee County, North Carolina; Cleveland, Tennessee, USA

America's oldest Pentecostal denomination: holiness, tongues, and divine healing.

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⛪

International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

Pentecostal

1923

📍 Los Angeles, California, USA

🌍 ~8 million globally

Origin

Aimee Semple McPherson (1890–1944) was one of the most flamboyant evangelists of the 20th century, drawing crowds of thousands to the 5,300-seat Angelus Temple in Los Angeles. A pioneer of radio ministry and illustrated dramatic sermons, she founded the Foursquare Church in 1923. The name comes from Ezekiel's four-faced living creatures - her fourfold vision of Christ as Saviour, Spirit-Baptiser, Divine Healer, and Soon-Coming King.

Core beliefs

  • The Fourfold Gospel: Christ as Saviour, Spirit Baptiser, Divine Healer, and Soon-Coming King
  • Baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues
  • Divine healing through anointing with oil and prayer
  • Pre-millennial return of Christ as the church's urgent hope
  • Evangelism through every available medium including mass media

Worship style

Contemporary Pentecostal worship. Large-scale evangelistic outreach and healing crusades are in the tradition's DNA. International and multicultural. Emphasis on Spirit-filled living and discipleship.

Key scriptures

  • Ezekiel 1:10
  • Acts 2:4
  • James 5:14–15
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

Relationship to other denominations

Part of classical Pentecostalism alongside the Assemblies of God and COGIC. Unique for its female founder. Aimee McPherson was both celebrated and controversial; her radio ministry and Angelus Temple profoundly shaped Los Angeles culture.