The Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International (CGMJCI) is a
Christian
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
, neopentecostal
charismatic
Charisma () is a personal quality of presence or charm that compels its subjects.
Scholars in sociology, political science, psychology, and management reserve the term for a type of leadership seen as extraordinary; in these fields, the term "ch ...
,
and restorationist congregation. It was created in 1972 by the evangelical preacher
Luis Eduardo Moreno, his mother María Jesús Moreno, and his wife
María Luisa Piraquive
María Luisa Piraquive (Chipata, Santander, February 10, 1949), Maria Luisa Piraquive Corredor, is a Colombian educator with a bachelor's degree in Hispanic Philology and a Doctorate (Honorary degree) in International Law. She is a singer, ph ...
.
The Church has over 1000 locations in more than fifty countries and territories, and visits 40 other nations worldwide.
[Numbers based on the church']
locations web page
/ref> The main broadcasts of the church (sermons
A sermon is a religious discourse or oration by a preacher, usually a member of clergy. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts. El ...
) on its YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
channel have more than 250,000,000 views in Spanish and more than 1,500,000 views in English; it is simultaneously interpreted in 12 languages
Language is a structured system of communication. The structure of a language is its grammar and the free components are its vocabulary. Languages are the primary means by which humans communicate, and may be conveyed through a variety of met ...
.
The leader of the Church is the Colombian Christian female leader María Luisa Piraquive
María Luisa Piraquive (Chipata, Santander, February 10, 1949), Maria Luisa Piraquive Corredor, is a Colombian educator with a bachelor's degree in Hispanic Philology and a Doctorate (Honorary degree) in International Law. She is a singer, ph ...
, while the current General Preacher is Carlos Alberto Baena.
History
Background
The origins of the Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International go back to the wandering of Luis Eduardo Moreno and his mother María Jesús Moreno through various Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine, worsh ...
s, where he served as preacher. After his marriage in 1966, his wife María Luisa Piraquive
María Luisa Piraquive (Chipata, Santander, February 10, 1949), Maria Luisa Piraquive Corredor, is a Colombian educator with a bachelor's degree in Hispanic Philology and a Doctorate (Honorary degree) in International Law. She is a singer, ph ...
joined them.
Luis Eduardo had disagreements with the leaders of the various evangelical denominations in which he worked, due to the fact that he was pressed to give results in terms of growth of the churches at his charge.
Beginning
Disappointed by the permanent disagreements with the leaders of the denominations in which they congregated, the Moreno Piraquive family decided not to attend any church anymore and instead, they decided to pray at their house.
In 1972, during the prayers of a small group of four people congregated at the Moreno Piraquive family house, they experienced the first prophecy from God in the Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ. In such prophecy, God gave them the instructions about how to direct the church.
As time passed by the church expanded to other departments of Colombia. Currently it has locations in more than 300 Colombian municipalities.
In 1997, the word ''International'' was added to the Church's name, and in 2000 the leaders of the church created a political party
A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific political ideology ...
in Colombia, called MIRA, whose current President is Colombian Senator Carlos Eduardo Guevara.
Beliefs
The denomination has a charismatic
Charisma () is a personal quality of presence or charm that compels its subjects.
Scholars in sociology, political science, psychology, and management reserve the term for a type of leadership seen as extraordinary; in these fields, the term "ch ...
confession of faith
A creed, also known as a confession of faith, a symbol, or a statement of faith, is a statement of the shared beliefs of a community (often a religious community) in a form which is structured by subjects which summarize its core tenets.
The ea ...
.
The Church's most important feature is its reliance on the gift of prophecy
In religion, a prophecy is a message that has been communicated to a person (typically called a ''prophet'') by a supernatural entity. Prophecies are a feature of many cultures and belief systems and usually contain divine will or law, or prete ...
, in which a human instrument is said to be used by the Holy Spirit
In Judaism, the Holy Spirit is the divine force, quality, and influence of God over the Universe or over his creatures. In Nicene Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is the third person of the Trinity. In Islam, the Holy Spirit acts as ...
to speak. This practice reminds of the early Christian Church's gift of prophecy, mentioned by Paul in the Epistle to the Corinthians, by John in his Gospel
Gospel originally meant the Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the 2nd century it came to be used also for the books in which the message was set out. In this sense a gospel can be defined as a loose-knit, episodic narrative of the words an ...
and other New Testament books.
Unlike other Pentecostal denominations, prophecies are seldom general (i. e., given to the public attending the service), but individual, and refer to the past, present and future of the person receiving the message. Its form is of specific promises (of healing, happiness, economic prosperity, spiritual experiencies, marriage, and so on) expected to be fulfilled by God through His power, as well as commandments on the individual's life, as a "guidance for life". Those to whom the promises have been fulfilled often give testimony of them in public in the religious services.
The gift of prophecy is not the only spiritual gift said to appear in the Church. Of a central importance is the gift of tongues, which is the sign of being baptised by the Holy Spirit, resembling the New Testament's Pentecost day. There are also gifts of healing, spiritual visions, dream interpretation, casting away demons and discernment, among others. Believers are encouraged to ask for these gifts in prayer, so that all the congregation may have a personal experience with God. In a typical prayer room there could be one prophesier for each thirty believers.
Maria Luisa de Moreno International Foundation
In addition to its religious activities, the church offers social assistance (e.g. via educational programs and health services) in the countries in which it has presence, mainly in Colombia. One of the means through which the church performs this activities is the ''Maria Luisa de Moreno International Foundation'', a philanthropic institution founded in 2000 under the mottos "Help at all levels", "Architects of hearts" and currently "Helping is our work". This NGO is responsible for the distribution of food and the activities related to educational and social services. It also promotes the rights and well-being of mentally and physically disabled people.
The foundation operates in a dozen of countries, especially in Hispanic countries.
Publications
The ''Zion International'' magazine is the official magazine of the Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International. It covers biblical topics and activities of the church. This magazine
A magazine is a periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, purchase price, prepaid subscriptions, or by a combinatio ...
is published quarterly, written both in English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
and Spanish.
See also
* Believers' Church
* Worship service (evangelicalism)
References
Bibliography
*
*
External links
Official websites:
Official website
*
USA website
Official channels on Social Networks:
*
Church of God Ministry of Jesus Christ International
in YouTube
{{authority control
Christian denominations established in the 20th century
Christian new religious movements
Pentecostal denominations
Christian organizations established in 1972
1972 establishments in Colombia