Daniel D. Isgrigg’s new book, The Assemblies of God: Our Story, is an informative and accessible retelling of the Fellowship’s history.

While drawing heavily on the earlier works of Assemblies of God historians, Isgrigg advances, clarifies, and at times verifies the previous conversation by adding fresh insights based on the latest research.

The result is an easy-to-read, updated popular history of the Assemblies of God (AG) for a new generation of adherents.

Isgrigg begins with a brief discussion of the theological, spiritual, and historical roots of the Pentecostal Movement necessary for understanding its development.

Although Isgrigg places the Azusa Street revival at the epicenter of these events, he acknowledges other global points of origin as well, including revivals in Wales, India, Canada, Norway, and Sweden.

After addressing this larger context, Isgrigg focuses on the role of William J. Seymour and the Apostolic Faith Mission in laying the groundwork for the Assemblies of God.

Along with the AG’s formation, Isgrigg explores its theological foundations. He covers early doctrinal disputes, as well as the establishment of the Statement of Fundamental Truths and subsequent revisions.

Isgrigg traces the Fellowship’s development in a number of areas, including education, ministries and missions, political and cultural involvement, worship styles, revivals, and ecumenical relationships.

Readers will gain a renewed understanding of who we are as Pentecostals and what it means to belong to the Assemblies of God.

Since a critical history was not his intent, Isgrigg does not wade deeply into church controversies. He acknowledges this limits analysis of complex issues at times. Still, Isgrigg seeks to provide a candid and factual portrayal of people and events.

One highlight is the book’s examination of growing ethnic diversity within the Assemblies of God. Early on, the Fellowship struggled to live up to the vision of unity many saw at Azusa Street. But Isgrigg walks readers through the many successes that have made the AG the most ethnically diverse denomination in America.

At 128 pages, The Assemblies of God: Our Story moves quickly. Rather than feeling bogged down with too much information, readers will likely want to learn more. Isgrigg helpfully provides a list of excellent resources at the end of each chapter for those interested in further exploration.

I appreciate Isgrigg’s nod to the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center in Springfield, Missouri, as well as the larger Pentecostal Consortium archives available online. Not only did these resources inform Isgrigg’s work, but they are also accessible to others wanting to research Pentecostal history.

Isgrigg set out to write a popular denominational history. This is never an easy task, especially for a relatively young Fellowship.

History always requires a certain amount of interpretation, making it impossible to produce an account with which everyone will agree. Nevertheless, Isgrigg’s effort is a valuable contribution that will appeal to a broad Pentecostal audience.

An outstanding historian, Isgrigg is the author of two previous books on the Assemblies of God. Imagining the Future, based on Isgrigg’s extensive Ph.D. research, focuses on AG eschatology. More recently, Aspects of Assemblies of God Origins is an academic survey of the Fellowship’s history. Both books are well-researched and supported, and I highly recommend them.

There are many who would benefit from Isgrigg’s latest book, including ministers in training. While it would be a wonderful addition to any pastor’s library, providing the book to board members could also give these leaders a clearer understanding of the AG’s history and identity.

In fact, Isgrigg’s popular history could be a useful resource for any lay leader or congregant who wants to know more about the Assemblies of God.

The Assemblies of God: Our Story allows us to rehear our history in new ways. Readers will gain a renewed understanding of who we are as Pentecostals and what it means to belong to the Assemblies of God.

Book Reviewed

Daniel D. Isgrigg, The Assemblies of God: Our Story (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2026).

This article appears in the Winter 2026 issue of Influence magazine.