| dc.description.abstract | Pentecostalism is a global phenomenon with a large following in North America, Latin America,
Asia, Africa and other parts of the world. The rise, growth and influence of Pentecostalism
in Africa are enormous and have, without fear of contradiction, become one of the dominant
expressions of Christianity on the continent. A contextual analysis of Christianity in Africa
showed that the African soil is more fertile for this movement. Its manifestation ranges from
classical Pentecostalism (first wave), to the charismatic movement (second wave) and the
charismatic renewal movements (third wave). Its growth in Africa came with a fair number
of missiological challenges to evangelical reformed churches, and therefore this article sought
to sketch this movement by providing a historical perspective on Pentecostalism, a contextual
analysis of Pentecostalism in Africa, issues and challenges in Pentecostalism, and concludes
by looking closely at a reformed missional reflection, thereby providing some nuances as to
how best one can minister effectively in the context of Pentecostalism. This article called for
evangelical reformed churches to exercise the spirit of discernment whilst dealing with the
influence of Pentecostalism, but at the same time to learn from this movement the zeal for
mission and the role of the Holy Spirit in mission. | en_US |
