TruthBook Religious News Blog

by Joseph Serwadda

With 500 million followers, Pentecostalism has grown to be the second largest Christian denomination, after Roman Catholicism. With a distinctive worship style, a literal biblical interpretation and energetic preaching, this sect of the Christian faith has attracted large numbers searching for meaningful spiritual purpose.

The term “Pentecostal” alludes to the day when first-century Christians were given the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of the Church. Multi-million dollar church complexes are sprouting up around the world. Why and how has this faith grown so big, so fast?

From the day of Pentecost, history has recorded empirical evidence that for over 1,500 years, the church has eluded obliteration and braved persecution including Nero and other Roman emperors’ madness that competed for worship as gods.

In the late 1870s, Charles Parham preached revival in the face of a Protestant world that had lost its zeal. Parham encouraged disciples to seek God through prayer, fasting and studying the Bible, awaiting His blessings of the Spirit. Many who accepted the message were thrown out of the traditional churches, which forced the movement to start its own churches.

Pentecostalism’s influence around the world is phenomenal. It is estimated (Encyclopaedia Britannica) that over 100 million Americans are Pentecostals. According to the World Christian Database, 147 million Africans are either Pentecostals or Charismatics (Reuters). The Charismatics are believers in Protestant and Catholic churches (Bazuukufu) who believe that the Pentecostal worship style should be incorporated into their churches.

A 2006 survey conducted by the PEW Forum on Religion and Public Life showed that 70 percent of Protestants in Kenya are Pentecostal or Charismatic. The same survey also found that 60 percent of Nigeria is Pentecostal and one-third of South Africans are.
The Red Pepper recently reported that Uganda has seven million Pentecostals leaving 23 million to be shared by the rest. This faith is also making gains in predominantly Protestant Europe and multi-religious Asia.

The survey revealed that 75 percent of Protestants in Latin America are Pentecostals. The churches have adopted music-driven, concert-style services to reinvigorate their worship, and confront flagging enthusiasm among its membership. This is not an isolated case. The Catholic priest, Fr. Musaala, has introduced a new sound in the papal domain raising eyebrows for his music and dance style.

Pentecostalism’s popularity is attributed to its leaders, missionaries who travel the world conducting mass healing campaigns. From the late fifties, T.L. Osborn was a household name. Reinhard Bonnkhe became famous for tent crusades. When T.D. Jakes visited Nairobi, the service attracted 250,000. In Uganda, Benny Hinn’s recent visit saw 40,000 flocking the Mandela Stadium crusade. Several local events, such as the Passover Festival at every close of year, pull crowds in their thousands.

Pentecostalism is the ultimate “people’s faith” providing something for everyone, all encouraged to “come as they are.” Pentecostal messages speak to the needs of the disenfranchised and the poor. Many come to these services seeking hope, and view this denomination as a return to the roots of early and original Christianity.

Allan Anderson, Professor of Global Pentecostal Studies at England’s Birmingham University, put it this way: “The success of Pentecostalism is the focus on people’s problems. In countries where people are living on the breadline, Pentecostalism gives hope” (Reuters). Healing occupied two-thirds of Jesus earthly ministry. With healings, speaking in tongues, energetic services, and a focus on prophecy, many see the fruits of Pentecostal teaching and rightly conclude, “God must be here.”

Luis Lugo, Director of the Pew Forum, said he initially questioned some of the survey results, but came to realise the numbers were valid. “I don’t think it's too far-fetched to imagine that Christianity is close to "being pentecostalised. These folks are as engaged as they come, not only talking the talk, but walking the walk," Lugo said.

Labels: Africans, Americans, Christianity, Holy Spirit, Joseph Serwadda, Pentecostalism, Pew Forum