Edir Macedo Bezerra (born January 18, 1945) is a millionaire religious leader. He founded the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God with R. R. Soares, who later went on to found his own church, Universal Church of the Grace of God. Macedo was raised Catholic, but by 1970 was a Pentecostal. He founded the "Neo-Pentecostal" IURD, its Portuguese initialization, in 1977. In 1986 he studied the methods of Evangelism in the United States and lived in Brooklyn for a time. January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Pentecostal movement within Protestant Christianity places special emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as shown in the Biblical account of the Day of Pentecost. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Main article: New York City A map of New York City, highlighting Brooklyn. ...
His rapidly growing religious movement has been a source of controversy as it emphasizes on financial prosperity. He has also been controversial for that and for his views of other faiths, particularly the Catholicism he was raised in. In 1992 he spent 11 days in jail on accusations of extortion. 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...