Evangelical Facts for Kids

Evangelical is a word that can describe different groups of Christian denominations. It often refers to a big movement called Evangelicalism. It can also sometimes describe parts of Lutheranism or Protestantism.

The word "Evangelical" comes from a Greek word meaning "good news." For Christians, the good news is about Jesus Christ and his teachings.

What is Evangelicalism?
Other Meanings of Evangelical
Images for kids
See also

What is Evangelicalism?

Evangelicalism is a worldwide movement within Protestantism. It became very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. People who are evangelicals believe that the most important thing is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They also believe that the Bible is the true word of God.

Core Beliefs of Evangelicals

Evangelicals share several key beliefs:

Conversion: They believe that people need to have a personal experience where they decide to follow Jesus. This is often called being "born again."
The Bible: Evangelicals see the Bible as God's inspired word. They believe it is the final authority for their faith and how they live.
The Cross: They believe that Jesus died on the cross to save people from their sins. This is a central part of their faith.
Sharing the Faith: Evangelicals feel it is important to tell others about Jesus. This is often called evangelism or missionary work.

How Evangelicals Worship

Evangelical churches have different styles of worship. Some are very traditional, while others are more modern. You might see:

Singing worship music with a band or choir.
Preaching, where a pastor explains parts of the Bible.
Prayer and sometimes sharing personal stories of faith.
Baptism ceremonies, often for adults who have chosen to follow Jesus.

Many evangelical churches are very active in their communities. They often run programs for kids, teens, and families. They also do a lot of missionary work around the world. This includes helping people in need and sharing their faith.

Evangelicals in History

The evangelical movement has a rich history. Important figures like John Wesley and George Whitefield helped it grow in the 1700s. They often preached outdoors to large crowds. Later, people like Billy Graham became famous for their large revival meetings. These meetings helped spread evangelical ideas to many people.

Evangelicals have also been involved in important social changes. For example, William Wilberforce, an evangelical Anglican, helped lead the movement to end the slave trade in Britain.

Evangelicals Today

Today, evangelicals are found all over the world. They are a large group in the United States, especially in an area called the Bible Belt. They are also growing rapidly in places like Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Evangelical churches and organizations often work together on projects. These can include helping people after disasters, providing education, or supporting families. Groups like World Vision International are examples of evangelical organizations that do a lot of humanitarian work.

Other Meanings of Evangelical

The word "Evangelical" can also refer to a rock band called The Evangelicals. They are known for their unique sound.

Images for kids

Park Street Church, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1904
Baptistery in the Pentecostal church (Pingstförsamlingen) of Västerås, in Sweden, 2018
A worship service at Hillsong Church UK, London
Worship service at Christ's Commission Fellowship Pasig affiliated to the Christ's Commission Fellowship in 2014, in Pasig, Philippines
Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Church building in Chümoukedima, Nagaland, affiliated with the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (India).
College of Nursing, Central Philippine University in Iloilo City, affiliated with the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, 2018
Wedding ceremony at First Baptist Church of Rivas, Baptist Convention of Nicaragua, 2011
Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, United States
Show on the life of Jesus at Igreja da Cidade, affiliated to the Brazilian Baptist Convention, in São José dos Campos, Brazil, 2017
Together for the Gospel, an evangelical pastors' conference held biennially. A panel discussion with (from left to right) Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan, C. J. Mahaney, and Mark Dever.
The Prayer Book of 1662 included the Thirty-Nine Articles emphasized by evangelical Anglicans.
Jonathan Edwards' account of the revival in Northampton was published in 1737 as A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God in the Conversion of Many Hundred Souls in Northampton
When forbidden from preaching from the pulpits of parish churches, John Wesley began open-air preaching.
William Wilberforce was a politician, philanthropist and an evangelical Anglican, who led the British movement to abolish the slave trade.
The evangelical revivalist Billy Graham in Duisburg, Germany, 1954
Worship service in a Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Russia
Worship at El Lugar de Su Presencia, affiliated with Hillsong Family, in Bogotá, in Colombia, 2019
Temple of Solomon replica built by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in São Paulo
American pastor Johannes Maas preaching in Andhra Pradesh, India in 1974. Spreading the revival is an essential part of work done by evangelical missionaries.
Evangelical Free Church at Kirkkokatu street in Vanhatulli neighbourhood in Oulu, Finland
TheCall rally in 2008, Washington, D.C. United States Capitol in the background.
Socially conservative evangelical Protestantism plays a major role in the Bible Belt, an area covering almost all of the Southern United States. Evangelicals form a majority in the region.
Emergency food distribution in a disaster area in Indonesia by World Vision International, in 2009.