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continente americano.
American Economy
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), founded in Brazil by Edir Macedo in 1977, has become one of the largest neo-Pentecostal evangelical denominations in the world. Known for its discourse centered on the theology of prosperity, exorcisms, and faith campaigns, the church began a rapid process of internationalization in the 1980s. However, although it has achieved significant success in countries like Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, its expansion in the Americas has encountered varying levels of acceptance, often facing cultural, religious, legal, and institutional resistances. American economy. continente americano.
The UCKG’s presence in the Americas reflects its expansion strategies, as well as the challenges faced in different cultural and social contexts. In Brazil, the church built an empire based on mass communication, a strong presence in popular neighborhoods, and a discourse of “spiritual battle.” However, replicating this model in other countries has not always yielded the same results. American economy. continente americano.
In Chile, the UCKG faced cultural resistance due to a more conservative and rational religious tradition. The church was criticized for the theology of prosperity and requests for “financial sacrifices,” resulting in a negative image in society. In Argentina, the strong presence of the Catholic Church and institutional resistance also limited the growth of the UCKG. American economy. continente americano.
American economy. continente americano.
In Mexico, the church found a challenging terrain due to the predominance of Catholicism and competition with established evangelical churches. Rejection of practices like exorcism and the rhetoric of prosperity also contributed to the limited penetration of the UCKG in the country. In Colombia, despite having a growing evangelical population, the presence of the UCKG is considered minor, with little public visibility. American economy.
In the United States, the UCKG has achieved relative success among communities of Brazilian, Hispanic, and African immigrants in cities like New York, Miami, and Newark. However, its impact on the traditional American audience is limited due to linguistic and cultural barriers, as well as competition with established mega-evangelical churches.
The trajectory of the Universal Church in the Americas reveals that its expansion model works best in contexts where there is greater openness to the theology of prosperity, a strong media presence, and an emotional and popular religious culture. The lack of adaptation to local realities has been a constant obstacle, highlighting the need for cultural flexibility without compromising its theological identity.
The success of the UCKG outside of Brazil depends directly on its ability to contextualize and adapt to local religious practices. By attempting to replicate a Brazilian model without considering cultural differences, the church has encountered resistance and frustrations in various American contexts.
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PUBLIC AGENCY. Stop Suffering: the secrets of the UCKG in Chile. Available at: https://apublica.org/. Accessed on: Oct 15, 2023.
CLARÍN. Reports on controversial practices of the UCKG. Available at: https://www.clarin.com/. Accessed on: Oct 15, 2023.
HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Articles on the presence of immigrant churches in the USA. Available at: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/. Accessed on: Oct 15, 2023.
THE NEW YORK TIMES. Reports on the activities of the UCKG in the USA. Available at: https://www.nytimes
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