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An '''Evangelical Christian''' is a Protestant who is [[Gospel]]-centered. During the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century, "Evangelical" was a favorite term, especially as used by [[Lutherans]]. Evangelical Christians are often zealous when it comes to evangelism and evangelical Christianity has seen rapid growth in the world (see: [[Growth of evangelical Christianity]]).  

An '''Evangelical Christian''' is a Protestant who is [[Gospel]]-centered. During the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century, "Evangelical" was a favorite term, especially as used by [[Lutherans]]. Evangelical Christians are often zealous when it comes to evangelism and evangelical Christianity has seen rapid growth in the world (see: [[Growth of evangelical Christianity]]).  

The term commonly also suggests a desire to evangelize, i.e. spread the message of the Gospel and make converts to [[Christianity]]. In recent decades the term has narrowed to designate a Protestant that is not a member of a mainline, fundamentalist or Pentecostal congregation.  Unlike with mainline Protestantism, where certain denominations are generally known to be such, there is little agreement as to what denominations are considered Evangelical; the only group that is generally agreed to definitely be in this category is the [[Southern Baptist Convention]].

The term commonly also suggests a desire to evangelize, i.e. spread the message of the Gospel and make converts to [[Christianity]].

 

In recent decades the term has narrowed to a "catch-all" phrase used to designate a Protestant denomination that is not considered mainline, fundamentalist or Pentecostal/charismatic, with virtually no agreement as to which of the denominations not in one of the prior categories should be included; the only denomination that is generally agreed to definitely be Evangelical is the [[Southern Baptist Convention]].

This article focuses on the United States and Canada since 1740, when the [[First Great Awakening]] launched the Evangelical movement.<ref>Thomas S. Kidd, ''The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America'' (2007) [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Awakening-Evangelical-Christianity-Colonial/dp/0300118872/ref=ed_oe_h excerpt and text search]; William G. McLaughlin, ''Isaac Backus and the American Pietistic Tradition'' (1967)</ref>

This article focuses on the United States and Canada since 1740, when the [[First Great Awakening]] launched the Evangelical movement.<ref>Thomas S. Kidd, ''The Great Awakening: The Roots of Evangelical Christianity in Colonial America'' (2007) [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Awakening-Evangelical-Christianity-Colonial/dp/0300118872/ref=ed_oe_h excerpt and text search]; William G. McLaughlin, ''Isaac Backus and the American Pietistic Tradition'' (1967)</ref>