Press Who we are
Who we are
- What we believe in
- History
- The UCKG in the USA
- Who's who
- Bishop Edir Macedo
- Bishop and Pastors
- Assistants and Members
- There is only one God, who is living, true and eternal, of infinite power and wisdom. His divinity, majesty, power and mystery, exists in the union of three distinct eternal beings, equal in holiness, power and majesty. These are: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- God the Father, the first to manifest Himself to man, from the time of Adam up until the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, who introduced the Law and the Commandments.
- The Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the second of the trinity to manifest Himself to man when He came to the world in human form by the work and love of the Holy Spirit.
- The gospel of the Lord Jesus, where miracles occurred in those who believed; His instructions to take the same gospel to the world.
- He suffered, was crucified, died and was buried, through which He reconciled us with the Father, being an atonement for our sins and guaranteeing us salvation and deliverance from all our sufferings. Then on the third day He resurrected, completed His task on earth, and went to the Father to send us the Holy Spirit.
- The manifestation of the third Being of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit, takes place in the human heart, to convict us of sin, justice and of judgment. His conviction of sin is immediate, for the purpose of leading us to repentance.
- Baptism in water is done by submersion, but it is not an exclusive means of salvation, but a part of it. It is a public acknowledgement of faith, seen as the burying of the body of sinful nature, to be raised to live a new life. True spiritual baptism requires a change of life after baptism in water, a rejection of bad habits, of selfishness, and living a life in sin, otherwise the baptism was no more than a ceremony.
- The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an act of grace. It's an experience acquired through the faith of those who long for purification and holiness. This baptism is done personally by the Lord Jesus.
- The final goal of a permanent relationship with the Lord Jesus is faith and eternal life, which He promised to all those who persevere until the end.
The UCKG was founded on July 9, 1977 in Brazil, following a successful evangelistic movement by Canadian Pentecostal missionary Bishop Robert McAlister.
Based on a firm conviction from God, Edir Macedo, a member of McAlister’s church at the time, acted upon the Lord Jesus’ word to take the gospel to the world. Macedo left his church with Bishop McAlister’s blessing and began conducting prayer meetings from a gazebo at a local park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His passion was to reach out to less privileged people who were often excluded by established religions.
As Pastor Macedo's services grew in popularity, cinemas and local halls were used to accommodate a growing congregation. Shortly after, the UCKG opened its first location in an old funeral home, converted into a church.
The restoration of lives became the Church’s biggest source of advertising, attracting people from the streets to the expanding movement.
The UCKG saw rapid growth in the late 1970’s and 1980’s, crossing into Spanish speaking countries such as Argentina, Spain and Colombia. Expansion over time extended to other countries such as the US, Canada, the UK and South Africa.
The first UCKG in Africa opened in Angola in 1992. It is now active in South Africa, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Kenya, Lesotho, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Uganda, and other countries in Africa. Today the UCKG has expanded around the world and reached people of all nationalities, faiths, races, and backgrounds.
On June 5th, 1987 the UCKG was incorporated in the US as a non-profit Christian organization under the laws of the state of New York. The objectives of the UCKG include:
- To preach the gospel of Jesus Christ through the written word, spoken and telecast.
- To show the people in our community, state, nation and world the way to follow Jesus to salvation and eternal life.
The UCKG’s motive behind expansion has always been to help people experience the fulfillment of God’s promises.
It promotes its work through a number of media avenues including television, the World Wide Web, newspaper, and radio broadcast.
The main goal of the UCKG is to lead people to a true Christian faith.
The UCKG believes the true leader and guide of The Universal Church is the Lord Jesus Christ. However, in order for His will to be carried out, Bishops and Pastors have been appointed to lead the Church within a designated jurisdiction.
Bishop Edir Macedo
Bishop Macedo has served as founder and leader of the UCKG, along with other Bishops, throughout the years.
After 16 years of civil service he left his career to spread the Word of God.
Married to Ester Bezerra since 1971, they have 2 daughters Cristiane and Viviane, as well as an adopted son named Moyses.
Bishop Macedo has also had an extensive academic background. He received degrees in Theology at the Evangelical School of Theology "United Seminar," and the Faculty of Theological Education in the state of São Paulo. He received a doctorate in Theology, Christian Philosophy and an honorary degree in Divinity, in addition to a Masters in Theological Science received through the Federación Evangélica Española de Entidades Religiosas also known as "F.E.R.E.D.E" - in Madrid, Spain.
As an evangelical writer, Bishop Macedo stands out with more than 10 million books sold, and over 34 titles published. In January 2004, he was awarded with the Vermeil Medal of Honor in France, for his outstanding accomplishments in humanitarian activities all over the world.
Bishop Edir Macedo has held regular evangelical crusades, some of which have gathered over 2 million people in attendance.
Bishops are chosen to oversee churches in a different state and/or country, as Pastors are designated to specific churches. Both Bishops and Pastors hold a role of leadership in the Church. They are chosen for their integrity, dedication and desire to serve God and others. As a requirement they leave jobs and properties in order to give their undivided attention to God’s work and to their training.
Bishops and Pastors receive an adequate stipend dependent of factors such as family size, position and responsibilities held. They are given housing accommodations enabling them to travel at any time. As servants of God, they put their personal interests aside, in order to make a full commitment to spread God’s Word.
Assistants are select members who are chosen to assist Pastors in various duties around the church. They represent a small group of the Universal Church in comparison to members and visitors.
Unlike Bishops and Pastors, assistants do not receive any kind of financial help from The Church. Their contribution, position, and assistance, is completely voluntary.
Most assistants, as well as Bishops and Pastors, have been through personal problems before they started attending The Church. Through the teaching and prayers they received at the UCKG, they used their faith and overcame these situations. They have all had a personal encounter with God and have undergone a transformation of self. They are therefore willing and capable to assist people through difficult situations.
Other duties assistants carry out are jail visits, hospital visits, Sunday school classes and house visits. In other parts of the world, assistants contribute in food drives, blood drives, literacy programs, and more.
Group members and members are also a big part of The Church, contributing thousands of volunteer hours to community services inside and outside the church every week.
