Assemblies of God Defies Church Growth Trends
Over the past 25 years, the Assemblies of God, USA, has celebrated consecutive growth and expansion, with more than 3.1 million adherents as of 2014.
The denomination’s most recent statistics indicate a steady increase in AG adherents in the United States for the 25th year in a row. The final tally comes to 3,146,741 adherents as of 2014—the highest number on record.
The AG growth streak began in 1989, when 2,137,890 adherents were reported. Since that time, the AG has seen a 47 percent growth to its current level of more than 3.1 million.
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 the Assemblies of God grew by 47 percent.
The AG has also shown a strong trend in becoming increasingly diverse. In 1989, 20 percent of AG churches were primarily non-white ethnic minority; today, that number has jumped to 35 percent. Currently, more than 40 percent of all AG USA adherents are non-white ethnic minority. 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.
“The Assemblies of God has been hallmarked with a dependence on the Holy Spirit and fidelity to Scripture,” says AG General Superintendent George O. Wood. “The growth this movement can only be attributed to God’s blessing and His work through the Holy Spirit.”
The AG reported 12,849 churches in the United States, another record number. Of those churches, 345 were opened in 2014. The AG also reports a record number of ministers at 36,884.
Other record increases noted in the Assemblies of God 2014 statistical report were official church memberships (an increase to 1,812,126) and major worship service attendance (an increase to 1,927,575).
