Classification Pentecostalism Origin 1907 | Region Norway Members 39,590 | |
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Pentecostal congregations in Norway (Norwegian:Pinsemenigheiter, Pinsevenner and Pinsebevegelsen) is the largest Protestant free church in Norway with a total membership at 39,590 people in 2009.
Thomas Ball Barratt brought Pentecostalism to Norway in 1907. Barratt initially did not want to establish a new Christian movement, rather, he wanted to spark a revival in existing churches. When this failed, he started a branch of the Pentecostal movement in Norway. Barratt was particularly influenced by other missionaries in Europe who had come from the recent Azusa Street Revival. Further, he often read Azusa Street's newspaper called the Apostolic Faith newspaper, and this greatly shaped his understanding of Pentecostalism. Barratt was effective in Sweden, Denmark and England, and when he visited Denmark in 1907, that was the beginning of the Danish Pentecostal movement. It is said that Barratt was significant for the establishment of the Pentecostal movement in several European countries.
There are over 280 Pentecostal churches in Norway. Most are traditional churches but congregations with different concepts have also been established. For example, Jesus Church is targeted at young people.