Who We Are
Our History
The Maranatha Christian Church emerged within the evangelical community as the fulfillment of a prophecy for our present time, found in Joel 2:28, which says: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”
The Founder and The Foundation
The Lord Jesus Christ, as both founder and foundation, obviates the need for emphasizing other names, as the church’s existence aligns with God’s prophetic plan for the present time.
The Maranatha Christian Church was established as a religious institution in January 1968 in Vila Velha, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Committed to worshiping God and spreading the gospel in alignment with the Old and New Testaments, the church adheres to the scriptures as the sole guide for faith and practice. It also aims to enhance spiritual and social development through Christian education, charitable endeavors, and moral and educational assistance. The church extends its non-profit initiatives both within the national territory and abroad.
In mid 1980 ‘s, members of the Maranatha Christian Church started gathering in the United States and Canada. The church was officially established in 1988, in North America.
Our Beliefs
We believe in all the doctrines taught in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments – those which the Faithful Church has consistently believed through the centuries. This includes teachings on the Trinity, the plan of salvation by grace through faith, and the work accomplished by the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary.
We also believe in Pentecostal doctrines, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and the guidance of the Lord Jesus over His Church. We believe that to live in sanctification and obedience to God’s will, the Church must be attentive to biblical doctrines.
In addition, we believe that adhering to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures, especially those regarding the importance of utilizing the resources of grace, is sufficient to awaken any church from spiritual sleep.
Origin Of The Word "Maranatha"
The word Maranatha, for us, is more than a name; it’s a spiritual heritage that identifies a calling — a summoning of the Holy Spirit to a specific moment in the history and life of the Church, which is the RAPTURE!
The church emerged within the evangelical community as an option that identifies the present historical and prophetic moment. Maranatha, the word used by Paul to convey the Church’s great message— ‘The King comes,’ that is, ‘Jesus will return.’
In January 1980, by God’s revelation, this Work was named Maranatha Christian Church, to show the worldwide message it would proclaim: ‘Maranatha, the Lord Jesus is coming.
Voluntary Ministry
We are a Pentecostal church based in Vila Velha, ES, Brazil, with 5 thousand churches and temples across the National Territory and various other countries. Guided by the Holy Spirit and without spotlighting individuals, everyone serves as a volunteer.
The Church Body of Christ
Jesus Christ is the Head (Ephesians 5:23), and the church is His body. This doctrine is a lived reality in the Maranatha Christian Church, going beyond belief to shape a way of life with remarkable day-to-day experiences.
The Holy Spirit baptism of servants, young, adult, or elderly, is a means for the Lord Jesus to govern His Church. According to the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28), as a consequence of this baptism, His servants would receive visions, dreams, and prophecies—gifts that allow the Lord to reveal His will.
During the time of the apostles, these gifts were primarily used to reveal God’s will for His Work. Examples include instructing Cornelius to summon Peter to his house (Acts 10:3-6), directing Philip to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26, 29), instructing Ananias to visit and pray for Paul (Acts 9:10-16), revealing to Peter to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles in the centurion’s house (Acts 10:9-16 and 19-20), informing Paul not to preach the gospel in Asia or Bithynia but in Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10), conveying to the Church that certain Old Testament statutes should be observed by converted Gentiles (Acts 15:28-29), prompting Paul to go up to Jerusalem to submit his teaching to the apostles (Galatians 2:1-2), and revealing that He had chosen Timothy for the ministry of the Word (2 Timothy 4:14), among other instances.
In our present-day church, we share similar experiences, understanding that the Lord Jesus must practically, not just theoretically, be the Head of the Church. His written Word provides the doctrine and necessary guidance for our edification.
Our Message
In this prophetic moment preceding the glorious return of the Lord Jesus to rapture His Church, our foremost goal is to make the work of the Holy Spirit known—revealing that the Lord Jesus is alive, manifesting His presence in the Church, and preparing the bride for the impending rapture.
While the day and hour is unknown to us, it is our duty to discern the signs of the times. The Lord Jesus performed and spoke of numerous signs in His Prophetic Sermon and the book of Revelation to aid our comprehension of the prophetic moment.
The Church, as the Bride of Jesus, understands this moment and remains vigilant, equipped with lamps full of oil—filled with the Holy Spirit. The faithful servants not only experience baptism with the Holy Spirit but also stay continually filled (Eph. 5:18-21).
Thus, the Church is committed to proclaiming the Gospel with power and the Word with confirming signs, seeking the Holy Spirit’s baptism and spiritual gifts—testifying that Jesus is alive and announcing His imminent return. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
