Draft:The Universal Church, Inc.

The Universal Church is a non-denominational Evangelical Christian church with its headquarters in Newark, New Jersey. It was founded in Brazil in 1977 as Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus by Bishop Edir Macedo. In the mid-1986, Edir Macedo arrived in New York with a vision to expand the church. On May 5th, 1987, The Universal Church was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in Manhattan, New York , marking the opening of its first church in the United States, it offers daily services catering to a diverse community, including the Spanish-speaking population. As of 2024, The Universal Church has over 375 locations in the United States, including the territories of Puerto Rico and Guam.

Beliefs

The Universal Church adheres to fundamental Christian beliefs that include:

• Acceptance of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as God's Word.
• Affirm belief in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

• Those who repent of their sins, receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, and hold fast to Him are born again by the Holy Spirit and become children of God.  

• The baptism of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to serve and live according to Christian standards.  
• The Lord Jesus appointed two ordinances – baptism in water and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water as a confession of the Lord Jesus in burial and resurrection. Lord’s Supper is the partaking of the body and blood of Jesus in remembrance of His sacrifice until His return.
• God's power empowers individuals to transform their lives, conquer evil, heal sickness, and achieve their potential.  

Services

Various programs within the church are designed to accommodate congregants of different ages.

• Children Biblical Center (CBC) for children.  
• Youth Power Group (YPG) for adolescents.
• Teen Power Group (TPG) for preteens.
• Caleb Group for 50 and above.
• The UniSocial group does community outreach.
• Universal Beyond Bars (UBB) is a prison ministry.

Media

Universal Living Faith Network

Launched on February 4th, 2020, the Universal Living Faith Network (ULFN) began broadcasting a variety of shows across America. With a focus on spiritual nourishment, yet also featuring programs covering everyday topics. The network offers content centered on positivity and encouragement. This includes productions such as the TV miniseries "Genesis," recognized as a finalist for the international 2022 Troféu Imprensa, and the documentary series "Beyond Bars," which delves into the inner workings of the prison system and highlights the transformative impact of the prison ministry Universal Beyond Bars. Serving as a platform to showcase personal transformations attributed to faith.

Vision Latina

In January 2021, Vision Latina was launched as a television channel and radio station in multiple states, serving the Latino community in the United States. It offers a variety of programming, available 24/7, covering entertainment and spiritual content. The channel features daily news updates, shows focused on personal growth, biblical series, and family-friendly movies. In their segments of faith, Vision Latina aims to support viewers in overcoming any challenges they may face by showing a way out through faith, providing inspiration and motivation.

Publications

To support evangelization efforts, The Universal Church produces weekly newspapers. “Universal News” in English,[1] “Noticias Universal” in Portuguese [2] and "Noticias Universal" in Spanish, exclusively obtainable at each location. Through these publications, they share testimonies, provide updates on events and programs, and offer information on church locations across the United States.  

In support of congregants' spiritual growth, church leaders have authored books to share their experiences in their journey of faith. Bishop Edir Macedo is a prolific author, with notable works including "Nothing To Lose" (Volumes 1, 2, and 3), "50 Tips to Shield Your Faith," "The Gold and The Altar," "In the Footsteps of Jesus" and many more. Cristiane Cardoso has contributed "The V Woman" and "Better than a Pair of Shoes" to the literature. Bishop Renato Cardoso's publications include "Profile of the Youth of God" and "120 Minutes to Shield Your Marriage," among others, emphasizing marital stability. Additionally, Bishop Clodomir Santos wrote "Sobrevivi" to share his experiences. Pastor Damien Jackson authored "Should've Been Dead," chronicling his life before finding faith and his subsequent transformation. Jackson also embarked on a global book tour, targeting youth audiences.

Expanison

The church has expanded its presence by establishing itself in multiple prominent states throughout the United States, such as Arizona, Florida, and Hawaii, encompassing a total of 28 states. While some states have only a few locations, larger states have multiple church locations. In 2010, they inaugurated a Cathedral in Los Angeles, California, with a seating capacity of 1,600. In 2018, a significant milestone was achieved when the church inaugurated its first church at the Clemens Unit in Texas, accommodating 100 inmates for spiritual guidance.

Universal Beyond Bars

In response to the high prison population in the US, the Universal Church initiated the Universal Beyond Bars program to assist inmates and their families in accessing emotional and spiritual support. Presently, operating in 12 states, serving both male and female jails, as well as juvenile detention centers. Witnessing the positive impact, UBB has transitioned into a non-profit organization to enhance its assistance efforts.