History of the Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance

A Welshman in Monaghan, Ireland, founded the Elim Pentecostal Church in 1915. George Jeffreys was an outstanding evangelist and church planter. He had a Welsh Congregational background, was strongly influenced by the Welsh Revival of 1904, and was introduced to Pentecostalism by an Anglican Vicar, Rev. Alexander Boddy, of Sunderland, UK.

Between 1915 and 1934, George Jeffreys conducted some tremendous evangelistic missions. This unknown preacher would commence a mission with a mere handful of people, and by the end of the week, thousands would be clamouring for a seat. Amazing miracles of healing took place. After the mission, very large churches were established.

The name 'Elim' is taken from the book of Exodus where the Israelites, exhausted and dispirited en route from Egypt's cruel bondage to the freedom of Canaan, came to Elim, an oasis in the desert, where there were 12 wells of water and seventy palm trees. (Exodus 15: 27)

As the movement grew with amazing rapidity against the background of dramatic decline in the historic churches, it proved to be a fitting symbol of spiritual refreshing.

Elim continued to grow despite the ravages of World War 2 and other difficulties, and soon established itself as a Pentecostal power in the evangelisation of the United Kingdom.
Today there are over 500 churches in the homeland and nearly 9,000 worldwide.

Ministers train at its official residential college in Nantwich, Cheshire, - Regents Theological College, accredited by Manchester University for the B.A. and M.A. degrees. 
Its global thrust is operated by the International Missions Board, which operates in 35 countries.