"African Pentecostalism in the Context of Global Pentecostal EcumenicaI Fraternity: Challenges and Opportunities"

This paper examines the growth and characteristics of the Pentecostal movement in Africa, since the beginning of the twentieth century. The discussion is placed within the broader context of the thesis of the shifting of the center of gravity of Christianity fiom the Western to the non-Western world. Attention is focused on how the global dimension of the movement is reflected in Afnca and the challenges and opportunities that this new reality presents to the Pentecostal community. The author argues that the current situation yields itself for the establishment of international alliances and networhng between Afncan Pentecostal movements and their western counterparts. This mutual exchange between multiple centers of influence and varieties of gifts should be based on partnership and equality, so that kingdom resources may be mobilized to advance God's kingdom to the whole world. This new approach of understanding Affican Christianity moves away from the current discussion where certain scholars see the upsurge of Pentecostalism on the continent as a tool' for the promotion of the political agenda of America's religious right.