African Pentecostalism in America: a Study of a Nigerian Charismatic Church in South Florida

Authors

Uchenna Regina OnwumeluFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Major/Program

Religious Studies

First Advisor's Name

Albert Wuaku

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Akhtar Iqbal

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Erik Larson

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

religious studies

Date of Defense

3-26-2020

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a rapid growth of African Pentecostal or Charismatic Christianity in the West and the United States of America. Researchers in this area have identified some of the roles that these African religious organizations paly in the diaspora. This research argues that African Pentecostals in diaspora not only serve the purpose of evangelism or proselytism but are also contexts for Africans to perform their identity and at the same time, serve as a connection between the diaspora and the homeland.

The study is fieldwork-based. Using performance and simultaneity as the theoretical leads, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Nigerian originated church in South Florida as a case, this research explores the activities of Nigerians in the United States and concludes that the church offers the context of a between and betwixt life for migrants. The church also creates the basis for their identity and cultural performance.

Identifier

FIDC008973

Recommended Citation

Onwumelu, Uchenna Regina, "African Pentecostalism in America: a Study of a Nigerian Charismatic Church in South Florida" (2020). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4386.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4386