Christianity: Details about 'Christian Church Of North America'
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The Christian Church of North America (CCNA) is a North American Pentecostal denomination of Christians. The Christian Church of North America is part of the larger Pentecostal movement occurring is the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, and is rooted in a movement among the Italian people in Chicago, Illinois. Luigi Francescon (1866-1964) organized the first Italian-American Pentecostal church there in 1907. The first convention of the Italian Pentecostal Movement was called in Niagara Falls, New York in 1927, where the group adopted articles of faith, which helped build the movement into a cohesive whole. In 1948, the movement was incorporated in Pennsylvania as The Missionary Society of the Christian Church of North America. In 1963, the body was restructed as the General Council of the Christian Church of North America. The beliefs of the CCNA are set forth in their 12-article "Statement of Faith". They are Trinitarian in theology, fundamental in Bibliology, premillennial in eschatology, and Pentecostal in emphasis. Like most Pentecostal denominations, the Christian Church of North America holds that tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and that divine healing is an expected result of prayer. The church holds two ordinances - water baptism by immersion and the Lord's supper. Somewhat unique is their 8th statement, belief "In the Apostolic regulations regarding foods and practices that injure the body and offend the holiness of God. Acts 15". Offices are located in Transfer, Pennsylvania. Ministries of the church include Benevolence, Home Missions, FOCUS, Foreign Missions, Education, Lay Ministries, and Public Relations. A convention is held annually. Vista magazine is their official publication. The CCNA is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals. Membership in 2000 was about 7200 in 96 churches in the United States. They also have affiliated works in Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, and South America. External link
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