Edir Macedo is a Brazilian evangelical bishop, pastor, and media mogul. He founded the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, or Universal Church) in 1977.
Biography
Edir Macedo Bezerra was born on February 18, 1945, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He grew up in a Roman Catholic family and was the fourth child of Henry Bezerra and Eugenia de Macedo Bezerra, also known as Mrs. Geninha. His mother had 33 pregnancies, but only seven children survived.
At age 16, Macedo started working at a lottery office in Rio de Janeiro. He worked his way up to head of treasury but eventually gave it up to preach the gospel.
Macedo converted to Pentecostalism in 1965. In 1975, he founded a Pentecostal church called Cruzada do Caminho Eterno with Romildo Ribeiro Soares. After a disagreement, Macedo left to start his own church.
In 1977, Macedo and others founded the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.
Macedo’s views on other faiths, especially Catholicism, are controversial. In 1992, he spent eleven days in jail on accusations of charlatanism.
Edir Macedo Age
Edir Macedo was born on February 18, 1945, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Family
After his encounter with God, Edir Macedo made an important decision to choose the right wife. He met Esther Eunice Rangel, a beautiful young woman from an evangelical family. According to Edir, she was different from others.
The couple married within eight months of meeting. They were married on December 18, 1971, at the New Life Church in Bonsucesso, Rio de Janeiro.
They have three children: two daughters, Cristiane and Viviane, and an adopted son, Moises.
Edir Macedo Daughters
Edir Macedo has two daughters: Cristiane and Viviane. Viviane’s birth was unusual; she was born very thin, with dark circles under her eyes, and a deformed face due to a cleft lip and cleft palate. Despite this, both daughters had a normal childhood.
In 1991, Cristiane married Renato Cardoso at the age of 17, while he was 19. The wedding was held in the Indianapolis neighborhood of São Paulo, and Bishop Edir Macedo officiated the ceremony.
In 1992, Viviane also got married before turning 20. She married Julio Freitas, a young assistant pastor, after dating for one year and one month. The marriage took place at the former Universal Church of Santo Amaro.
Edir Macedo Son
Moses was adopted into the Macedo family when he was just 14 days old. A woman handed him to Esther, asking her and Bishop Macedo to care for the baby. Before formally adopting Moses, the Macedos confirmed that the woman had good intentions.
Edir Macedo Church (Universal Church of the Kingdom of God)
Macedo’s journey into evangelical ministry began in the late 1960s when he joined a Pentecostal church and became active in its activities. In 1977, he founded the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, a neo-Pentecostal denomination known for its focus on prosperity theology, spiritual deliverance, and controversial practices.
The first church was opened in a former funeral parlor in the Abolição district of Rio de Janeiro. The first service took place on July 9, 1977. The old funeral parlor could seat 225 people, but some services attracted more than 400 attendees.
The Universal Church has grown internationally, with branches in many countries. It has a strong presence in Africa, North America, Europe, and Latin America.
In addition to his religious work, Edir Macedo is a prominent media figure. He owns Rede Record, one of Brazil’s major television networks, as well as other media outlets. Rede Record has become a significant part of the Brazilian media landscape, helping to expand the reach of the Universal Church.
Universal Church USA
The Universal Church in the United States began when Bishop Macedo traveled to New York, just nine years after opening the first temple in Brazil.
Bishop Edir Macedo stated, “I knew that it was the center of the world. It was the right path, the doorway to preach the Gospel internationally. New York was only a port of entry, the beginning of a long journey.”
Universal Church Argentina
In October 1989, the Universal Church began its work in Argentina. The first baptism was held for 20 people in a small church. However, the church faced significant negative media coverage. To improve their image, the church organized a rally of faith led by Bishop Macedo. The rally took place at the Monumental de Núñez stadium in River Plate, Argentina.
Bishop Macedo has faced legal challenges and controversies throughout his career. In 1992, he was arrested on charges of charlatanism, fraud, and embezzlement but was released due to a lack of evidence. Despite these legal battles and criticism, he continued to expand his religious and media empire.
Books
Edir Macedo has written several books, focusing on religious and motivational themes. His influence goes beyond Brazil, with the Universal Church having a presence in many countries worldwide. While he is admired by his followers for his religious leadership, he is also a controversial figure. Critics often highlight the financial aspects of his ministry and his involvement in politics.
Net Worth
From March 2013 to 2015, Edir Macedo was listed on the Forbes billionaires list with a reported net worth of $1.1 billion, and $1.24 billion for Macedo and his family, making him the richest pastor in Brazil and the world at the time. He was not on the list for 2016 or subsequent years.
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) built a $300 million replica of Solomon’s Temple in São Paulo. They also had an $8 million contract to import stones from Jerusalem, similar to those used in the original 3,000-year-old temple.
Social Handles
You can find Edir Macedo on the following social media platforms:
- Instagram: @bisopmacedo
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
In this section, I would provide you with FAQs and answers on Edir Macedo Biography. Keep on reading friend!!!
1. Who is Edir Macedo?
Edir Macedo is a Brazilian evangelical bishop, pastor, and media mogul. He is the founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus) and is known for his leadership in the Christian community and his influence in the media.
2. When and where was Edir Macedo born?
Edir Macedo was born on February 18, 1945, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
3. What is the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God?
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God is a neo-Pentecostal denomination founded by Edir Macedo in 1977. It is known for its emphasis on prosperity theology, spiritual deliverance, and controversial practices.
4. How did the Universal Church start?
The first Universal Church was opened in a former funeral parlor in the Abolição district of Rio de Janeiro on July 9, 1977. The church quickly grew, with services sometimes exceeding the parlor’s capacity of 225 seats.
5. What is the significance of New York in the Universal Church’s expansion?
In 1986, Edir Macedo traveled to New York to expand the church internationally. He saw New York as a key location for preaching the Gospel globally, considering it a starting point for a broader journey.
