Ever so often a book comes along that I feel should have been written years ago, and this book is one of them. As a Christian who found faith in Nigeria in the 80s, I was intrigued by stories about 'God Generals", those men and women that led 20th century revivals across the world (most of them in the West). Now I have in my hands, a book that shares some of the stories of some of my fellow countrymen who shaped the faith landscape in Nigeria. I am really impressed with the diversity of the leaders identified and the depth of the research undertaken. This book, in my view, should be a must read for anyone interested in origins of Pentecostalism in Nigeria. Keno Ogbo, Co-editor, The Black Church in the 21st Century "The Lord joined us to the ministry of Benson Idahosa for 20 years and we saw firsthand the reality and power of the gospel in Africa that has touched the world. The Lord's sovereign work in the continent is going to impact the globe for generations to come. Thank God for the African church of Jesus Christ. Millions of strong and faithful believers are coming forth at this critical time as God builds His church." Dr Kent & Ruth Hodge, President of Christian Faith Institute, Jos, Nigeria. Christianity has been recognised to be a growing religion in Sub Sahara Africa. The expression of Christianity that is expanding in Africa is Pentecostalism. One reason for this growth is the renewal factor which has engulfed the whole continent. Nigeria is one of the countries that has and is still experiencing revival that is contributing to local and global Christianity. What is the origin of Pentecostalism in Nigeria? What contributions did the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa make to the Pentecostal scene in Africa? Why is RCCG one of the fastest growing Churches in the World? This book considers the history of Pentecostalism in Nigeria by looking at the pioneering efforts of men and women who laid the foundation of the Movement.

Crashed Realities? explores the lived realities women Pentecostals encounter in male-founded Pentecostal churches. Idumwonyi demonstrates the gender dynamics at play in Nigerian Pentecostalism by exploring the ‘drama’ that played out in the wake of the nomination of the first woman Pentecostal archbishop in Nigeria and the subsequent attempt to 'erase' her from a significant leadership position and the pages of history. This case underscores how Pentecostalism, which presents as egalitarian, engages in and perpetuates gender disparity, revealing the realities that are crashed every day. This book further explores the profound ambiguities that result from an underlying commitment to patriarchy, making the calls to inclusivity illogical. In contrast, she proposes the advantages of the Pentecost Experience as favorable background to gender inclusivity and, in turn, human flourishing.

This remarkable collection of essays explores the role of African Christianity in God’s mission around the world. Featuring the contributions of African scholars and mission practitioners from throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora – including both men and women, veteran scholars, and fresh new voices – this volume provides a diverse perspective on missiology as understood and practised by African Christians. Engaging such wide-ranging topics as gender violence, globalization, Westernization, peacebuilding, development, Pentecostalism, urban missiology, theological education, and African Christianity in Europe, this volume ambitiously bridges the gap between academic and practitioner perspectives, engaging both theological discourse and the hands-on reality of how God’s mission is taking shape in Africa and beyond. This book offers an empowering look at the work God is accomplishing in and through the African church.

This book addresses the belief system and practices of Yorùbá Pentecostal churches using the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries church as case study. It explores the ritual space, worship formats, rites and rituals of Yorùbá Pentecostal Christianity while also providing evidence to support the claim that music is an indispensable element of present-day Yorùbá Pentecostal church ritual. The book is an attempt to understand the operational framework of present-day Yorùbá Pentecostal churches and their music ministries through the lens of the MFM church. The author also investigates the keywords often used by congregants to describe their emotional response to certain rites within the liturgy.

This book is a study of what African Christians living in Britain believe about the Holy Spirit.

This book will surely save many young adults from unnecessary heartbreak. Besides coming into a relationship with God, there is hardly any decision that is of more significance and long-lasting implications than the decision on who to marry. With the increasing misrepresentation of marriage through popular culture, young people are desperate for trustworthy models and principles to guide them through the waters of marriage-in-view relationships, hence this book. Joseph and Anu, through their love story, draw young people to engage with the tested and timeless countercultural principles upon which the institution of marriage is established. Written in a warm and conversational style, the book will teach you: guidelines on discovering who to marry; answers to questions about dating, courtship, sex and weddings; and principles for building a Godly marriage. Joseph and Anu’s Wedding Testimonies “Of all weddings in bible times, the wedding at Cana in Galilee stood out, not because of the popular stuffs that makes a wedding, but because of the platform it created for Jesus to be glorified. But while I was not at the wedding of Cana in Galilee, I am excited that I was able to witness a similar occurrence being re-enacted in our times. You two planned to have a simple wedding but the Lord made it glorious. You wanted to have a quiet wedding but the heavens noised it both home and abroad. Your wedding is now an inspiration to a lot. It has become many people's prayer point. It is an envy to some. It is a delight to the Almighty. Your wife grasped her first class, and you grasped her first kiss and all . . . There is so much to learn already from your wedding, thus, your marriage is definitely going to become a role model.” — Oluwayimika Adelegan | US Army “God is speaking to my generation through you. I hope we are listening. Oh gosh! You are bringing forth the cornerstone with screams of 'grace' 'grace' to it! The Dream is True, brother, the Dream is True! I'm over the top with joy. Congratulations and God bless you and Anu!” — Adebola Deji-Kurunmi | ED, Ideation Hub Africa & President, DIW “I do not know both of you personally, … but I can tell that this marriage will last a lifetime … Simplicity and moderation in all things; the beauty of friendship and faith personified and evident, even for a stranger like me to see. May the good LORD bless your union and may it be the ultimate example for everyone who seek the true joy that marriage brings. Happy Married Life.” — Akinwale Ekundayo | Managing Partner, Cheret Creatives “One of the most beautiful stories I've read on the internet thus far.” — Tejumade | Dir. of Marketing & Publicity, TedxIsaleGeneral2016 “You guys have redefined what true love represents and a godly trust that transcends all barriers. We celebrate your union. God is sending a message through you two to our generation. To Him be the glory.” — Abiola Isawumi

Powerful Devices studies spiritual warfare performances as an apparatus for disestablishing structures of power and knowledge, and establishing righteousness in their stead. Drawing on performance studies’ emphasis on radicality and breaking of social norms as devices of social transformation, the book demonstrates how Christian groups with dominant cultural power but who perceive themselves as embattled wield the ideas of performance activism. Combining religious studies with ethnography, Powerful Devices explores Nigerian Pentecostals and US Evangelicals’ praxis of transnational spiritual warfare. By closely studying spiritual warfare prayers as a “device,” Powerful Devices shows how the rituals of prayer enable an apprehension of time, paradigms of self-enhancement, and the subversion of politics and authority. A critical intervention, Powerful Devices explores charismatic Christianity’s relationship to science and secular authority, technology and temporality, neoliberalism, and reactionary ideology.