Assemblies of God USA

===Recent history (1980–present)===
[[File:AG LEADER.JPG|thumb|200px|Thomas Trask with his wife. Trask led the AG as general superintendent for 14 years from 1993 to 2007.]]

==== Numerical growth, Hispanic outreach and racial reconciliation ====
The Assemblies of God emerged as the leading Pentecostal denomination in terms of status, wealth, influence, and global adherence.{{Sfn|Robins|2010|p=132–133}} In the 1980s, the Assemblies of God saw rapid growth in the U.S., for several years ranking as the fastest growing American denomination. This growth was mainly the result of its Hispanic outreach (in 1988 Hispanic members made up some 15 percent of the fellowship's total constituency).{{Sfn|Blumhofer|1993|pp=244–245}} The growth of an Asian immigrant constituency was also recognized in this decade when the first Korean district was created. The Assemblies of God gained national visibility in the late 1980s from the popularity and later scandals surrounding two of its ministers, [[Jimmy Swaggart]] and [[Jim Bakker]].{{Sfn|Blumhofer|1993|p=255}} The Assemblies of God launched an effort to increase evangelism and growth in the 1990s called the "Decade of Harvest". Such efforts failed to sustain the impressive growth of the 1980s, however. From 2003 to 2008, growth had slowed to an average annual increase of just over 1 percent.{{Sfn|Robins|2010|p=132–133}}

With increased growth came increased acceptance and acculturation. Since the 1980s, a growing number of AG ministers have been educated and risen to leadership positions at evangelical institutions, such as [[Fuller Theological Seminary]], [[Gordon-Conwell]], and [[Trinity Evangelical Divinity School]].{{Sfn|Robins|2010|p=132–133}} This "evangelicalization of the Assemblies of God" has led to the weakening of Pentecostal distinctives, especially the doctrine of initial evidence.<ref name=Roozen40>Russell P. Spittler quoted in {{harvnb|Roozen|Nieman|2005|pp=40–41}}</ref> Other traditional practices, such as holding [[prayer meeting]]s and altar services, have faded over time as well. Despite the efforts of denominational leaders to reassert Pentecostal identity and remain more than "evangelicals plus tongues", the process of acculturation has continued.{{Sfn|Robins|2010|p=132–133}} 

Additionally, the Assemblies of God leadership alongside other predominantly and traditionally white Christian denominations renounced racism during the 1990s,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grady |first=J. Lee |title=Pentecostals Renounce Racism |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1994/december12/4te058.html |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=ChristianityToday.com |language=en |quote=Throughout the meetings, sponsored by the 46-year-old Pentecostal Fellowship of North America (PFNA), white leaders expressed regrets that their history has been tainted by openly racist attitudes. One historian, Cecil Robeck of Fuller Theological Seminary, presented a 71-page paper describing, among other prejudices, how an Assemblies of God presbyter justified segregation in the South by teaching that God intended the races to live separately. The "father of American Pentecostalism," Charles Parham, continued to endorse the Ku Klux Klan as late as 1927, Robeck said. Breaking with the past: PFNA board members demonstrated their change of heart and mind by dissolving their organization. Then they formed a new interracial group, the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, or PCCNA. Its founders include top bishops of the largest African-American Pentecostal denomination in the United States, the 5 million-member Church of God in Christ (COGIC), based in Memphis.}}</ref> seeking to reconcile with the Church of God in Christ and others following the civil rights movement and its cultural effect on American society. In 2007, according to Joe Newman in ''Race and the Assemblies of God Church: The Journey from Azusa Street to the "Miracle of Memphis"'',<ref name=":0" />

{{Blockquote|text=...that although current Assemblies of God leaders have embraced the concept of an integrated church fellowship that no longer excludes African Americans, there is virtually no evidence of wide acceptance of this concept at the local church level in the denomination.}}

==== Revivalism ====
Churches within the Assemblies of God have experienced revivals from the 1990s and early 2000s which featured worship and practices reminiscent of early Pentecostalism. The most prominent of these was the [[Brownsville Revival]], which occurred at the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida, from 1995 into the early 2000s. These revivals often faced criticism from within and without the Assemblies of God for their unpredictability and the dramatic religious experiences of participants. In the case of the Brownsville Revival, the AG's national leadership gave it cautious approval and support.{{Sfn|Poloma|Green|2010|pp=77–78}}

==== College ministry controversies ====
{{See also|Chi Alpha#History}}

[[Chi Alpha]] is the Assemblies of God's student organization and college ministry. As of 2022, it operated on 275 campuses.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Group Locator |url=https://chialpha.com/group-locator/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Chi Alpha Campus Ministries |language=en-US}}</ref>

Chi Alpha's Texan chapters were highlighted by ''[[Christianity Today]]'' in 2023 for allowing a registered sex offender to serve as a mentor despite knowing of his status. Two Texas pastors who knowingly connected their students with the mentor were removed from their church positions. The Assemblies of God district in North Texas started an investigation to discover if other credentialed ministers had acted similarly.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Shellnutt |first=Kate |title=Registered Sex Offender Continued to Minister to Chi Alpha Students |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/may/chi-alpha-daniel-savala-sex-offender-abuse-houston-ag.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516034745/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/may/chi-alpha-daniel-savala-sex-offender-abuse-houston-ag.html |archive-date=2023-05-16 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Christianity Today |language=en}}</ref> A [[Baylor University]] campus minister was arrested on sex abuse charges, and the Baylor chapter was suspended.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wingfield |first=Mark |date=2023-05-26 |title=Leader of Assemblies of God student group at Baylor arrested on child sexual abuse charges |url=https://baptistnews.com/article/leader-of-assemblies-of-god-student-group-at-baylor-arrested-on-child-sexual-abuse-charges/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526133123/https://baptistnews.com/article/leader-of-assemblies-of-god-student-group-at-baylor-arrested-on-child-sexual-abuse-charges/ |archive-date=2023-05-26 |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Baptist News Global |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-25 |title=Baylor Campus Ministry Leader Charged with Sex Abuse of Two Boys |url=https://julieroys.com/baylor-campus-ministry-leader-hundl-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-two-boys/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526133636/https://julieroys.com/baylor-campus-ministry-leader-hundl-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-two-boys/?mc_cid=e5f44da783&mc_eid=8be88ae307 |archive-date=2023-05-26 |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=The Roys Report |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kyle |first=Matt |date=2023-05-25 |title=Waco police: Baylor-based minister let 'mentor' sexually abuse family members |url=https://wacotrib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/waco-police-baylor-based-minister-let-mentor-sexually-abuse-family-members/article_e2bc875c-fb3c-11ed-9a46-2bd6a2a6c0d5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526133919/https://wacotrib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/waco-police-baylor-based-minister-let-mentor-sexually-abuse-his-children/article_e2bc875c-fb3c-11ed-9a46-2bd6a2a6c0d5.html |archive-date=2023-05-26 |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Waco Tribune-Herald |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, a minister working for Chi Alpha in Corpus Christi, Texas, was charged with sexual abuse of a minor.<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-11 |title=Pastor arrested on allegations of continuous sexual assault of a minor |url=https://www.kristv.com/Pastor-arrested-on-allegations-of-continuous-sexual-assault-of-a-minor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206212030/https://www.kristv.com/pastor-arrested-on-allegations-of-continuous-sexual-assault-of-a-minor |archive-date=6 Feb 2023 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi |language=en}}</ref> By the end of January 2024, the Assemblies of God was sued by a parent of an unnamed minor who alleged sexual abuse by members of the organization,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shellnutt |first=Kate |date=2024-01-26 |title=Father Sues Assemblies of God for Alleged Abuse of Teen |url=https://christianitytoday.com/news/2024/january/chi-alpha-abuse-lawsuit-assemblies-of-god-texas-am-savala.html |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=Christianity Today |language=en}}</ref> and an Orange,Texas-based church disaffiliated with AG over the scandal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blair |first=Leonardo |date=2024-03-25 |title=MAG Church disaffiliates from Assemblies of God over Chi Alpha abuse scandal |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/mag-church-disaffiliates-from-assemblies-of-god.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330224200/https://www.christianpost.com/news/mag-church-disaffiliates-from-assemblies-of-god.html |archive-date=2024-03-30 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=The Christian Post}}</ref>

====LGBT issues====
The Assemblies of God General Council took a position against [[homosexuality]] starting in 1979, which was later reaffirmed.<ref name="siker_2006_62">{{Cite book |last1=Siker |first1=Jeffrey S. |date=2006 |title=Homosexuality and Religion: An Encyclopedia |publisher=Bloomsbury |pages=62-63 |isbn=978-0313014314}}</ref><ref name="rayside_2011_107">{{Cite book |last1=Rayside |first1=David |date=2011 |title=Faith, Politics, and Sexual Diversity in Canada and the United States |publisher=University of British Columbia Press |page=107 |isbn=978-0774820110}}</ref> The Assemblies of God also opposes ordination of openly [[gay men|gay]] or [[lesbian]] clergy members.<ref name="leonard_2012_583">{{Cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=Bill J. |last2=Crainshaw |first2=Jill Y. |date=2012 |title=Encyclopedia of Religious Controversies in the United States |publisher=ABC-CLIO |edition=2nd |isbn=978-1598848670 |page=583}}</ref> Members of the Assemblies of God have been among the most significant figures opposing homosexuality in the United States.<ref name="siker_2006_62"/> The president of [[ex-gay]] organization [[Exodus International]] was associated with the Assemblies of God.<ref name="siker_2006_62"/> While [[LGBTQ]] students are allowed to participate in Chi Alpha campus ministries, they are not allowed to be student leaders unless they adhere to the belief that homosexual activity is sinful.<ref>{{Cite web |title='This is in your best interest to leave': LGBTQ+ students share discriminatory experiences in Chi Alpha |url=https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2022/04/this-is-in-your-best-interest-to-leave-lgbtq-students-share-discriminatory-experiences-in-chi-alpha |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206211947/https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2022/04/this-is-in-your-best-interest-to-leave-lgbtq-students-share-discriminatory-experiences-in-chi-alpha |archive-date=6 Feb 2023 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=The Rice Thresher}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="I love the Lord, and I don't see any error in my ways": Students navigate being queer in religious organizations |url=https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2020/10/i-love-the-lord-and-i-dont-see-any-error-in-my-ways-students-navigate-being-queer-in-religious-organizations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206211806/https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2020/10/i-love-the-lord-and-i-dont-see-any-error-in-my-ways-students-navigate-being-queer-in-religious-organizations |archive-date=6 Feb 2023 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=The Rice Thresher}}</ref>