{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,27]],"date-time":"2026-07-27T22:53:19Z","timestamp":1785192799790,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":72,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,10]],"date-time":"2024-07-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1720569600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Religions"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This article focuses on Pentecostalism and its real and possible contributions to socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. First, we provide an overall historical and theological introduction to Pentecostalism in sub-Saharan Africa, especially as these relate to socio-economic wellbeing. The heart of our research is a review of the literature on African Pentecostalism focused on economic development. We conclude with an exploration of the challenges and opportunities the movement faces in contributing to development across the continent. The question we seek to pursue is as follows: what theological and missiological resources might pentecostal\u2013charismatic communities contribute to improve the socio-economic circumstances of the people of sub-Saharan Africa?<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/rel15070832","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,10]],"date-time":"2024-07-10T11:14:41Z","timestamp":1720610081000},"page":"832","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Many Tongues, Many Economic Practices: Socio-Economic Opportunities and Challenges for African Pentecostal Christianity"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"given":"Amos","family":"Yong","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Mission and Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA 91182, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2342-2527","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Johannes","family":"Knoetze","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Practical Theology and Mission Studies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,10]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"a71","DOI":"10.4102\/tv.v45i1.71","article-title":"The African Background of the Prosperity Gospel","volume":"45","author":"Adamo","year":"2021","journal-title":"Theologia Viatorum"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Agana, Wilfred Asampambila (2016). Succeed Here and in Eternity: The Prosperity Gospel in Ghana, Peter Lang.","DOI":"10.3726\/978-3-0353-0792-4"},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Akoko, Robert Mbe (2007). \u201cAsk and You Shall Be Given\u201d: Pentecostalism and the Economic Crisis in Cameroon, African Studies Centre. African Studies Collection 2."},{"key":"ref_4","unstructured":"Anderson, Allan H. (2001). African Reformation: African Initiated Christianity in the 20th Century, Africa World Press."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"523","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1758-6631.2002.tb00365.x","article-title":"Pentecostal approaches to Faith and Healing","volume":"91","author":"Anderson","year":"2002","journal-title":"International Review of Mission"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Asamoah-Gyadu, J. Kwabena (2013). Contemporary Pentecostal Christianity: Interpretations from an African Context, Regnum.","DOI":"10.2307\/j.ctv1ddcp37"},{"key":"ref_7","unstructured":"Asamoah-Gyadu, J. Kwabena, Synan, Vinson, and Yong, Amos (2016). Global Renewal Christianity: Spirit-Empowered Movements Past, Present, and Future, vol. III: Africa, Charisma."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Attanasi, Katy, and Yong, Amos (2012). Pentecostalism and Prosperity: The Socioeconomics of the Global Charismatic Movement, Palgrave Macmillan.","DOI":"10.1057\/9781137011169"},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"Biko, Hlumelo (2019). Africa Reimagined; Reclaiming a Sense of Abundance and Prosperity, Jonathan Ball."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"Rio, Knut, MacCarthy, Michelle, and Blanes, Ruy (2017). The Ndoki Index: Sorcery, Economy, and Invisible Operations in the Angolan Urban Sphere. Pentecostalism and Witchcraft: Spiritual Warfare in Africa and Melanesia, Palgrave Macmillan."},{"key":"ref_11","unstructured":"Brouwer, Steve, Gifford, Paul, and Rose, Steven D. (1996). Exporting the American Gospel: Global Christian Fundamentalism, Routledge."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Burgess, Richard (2020). Nigerian Pentecostalism and Development: Spirit, Power, and Transformation, Routledge. Routledge Research in Religion and Development.","DOI":"10.4324\/9781315167299"},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"Chingarande, Sunungurai D., Thondhlana, Juliet, Madziva, Roda, and Anderson, Allan H. (2021). Matarenda\/Talents in Zimbabwean Pentecostalism: Empowerment, Gender, and Development in an African Movement, Brill."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chitando, Ezra (2021). Innovation and Competition in Zimbabwean Pentecostalism: Megachurches and the Marketization of Religion, Bloomsbury Academic. Bloomsbury Studies in Black Religion & Cultures.","DOI":"10.5040\/9781350176027.ch-00I"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chitando, Ezra, Gunda, Masiiwa Rageis, and K\u00fcgler, Joachim (2013). Prophets, Profits and the Bible in Zimbabwe: Festschrift for Aynos Masotcha Moyo, University of Bamberg Press. Bible in Africa Studies 12.","DOI":"10.20378\/irb-2434"},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"CWME (Commission on World Mission and Evangelism) (2021, July 16). Together towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes. Available online: http:\/\/www.oikoumene.org\/en\/resources\/documents\/commissions\/mission-and-evangelism\/together-towards-life-missionand-evangelism-in-changing-landscapes."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"Dambula, Chrispin (2022). Religion and Entrepreneurship: Unlocking the Puzzle of Pentecostal Success in Small Business. [Ph.D. dissertation, Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Intercultural Studies]."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Daneel, M. L. (1987). Quest for Belonging: Introduction to the Study of African Independent Churches, Mambo."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Daneel, M. L. (2001). African Earthkeepers: Wholistic Interfaith Mission, Orbis."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"690","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-2427.2008.00805.x","article-title":"Accra\u2019s Sounds and Sacred Spaces","volume":"32","year":"2008","journal-title":"International Journal of Urban and Regional Research"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Heuser, Andreas (2015). \u201cNow I Dress Well. Now I Work Hard\u201d: Pentecostalism, Prosperity, and Economic Development in Cameroon. \u201cPastures of Plenty\u201d: Tracing Religio-Scapes of Prosperity Gospel in Africa and Beyond, Peter Lang. Studies in the Intercultural History of Christianity 116.","DOI":"10.3726\/978-3-653-05822-2"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Frahm-Arp, Maria (2010). Professional Women in South African Pentecostal Charismatic Churches, Brill. Studies of Religion in Africa 38.","DOI":"10.1163\/ej.9789004168756.i-297"},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"Freeman, Dana (2012). Pentecostalism and Development: Churches, NGOs and Social Change in Africa, Palgrave Macmillan."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"231","DOI":"10.1080\/13617670903371548","article-title":"African Pentecostalism","volume":"30","author":"Garrard","year":"2009","journal-title":"Journal of Beliefs & Values"},{"key":"ref_25","unstructured":"Gifford, Paul (2004). Ghana\u2019s New Christianity: Pentecostalism in a Globalizing African Economy, Indiana University Press."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gifford, Paul (2009). Christianity, Politics and Public Life in Kenya, Columbia University Press.","DOI":"10.1057\/9780230100510_8"},{"key":"ref_27","unstructured":"Gitau, Wanjiru M. (2018). Megachurch Christianity Reconsidered: Millennials and Social Change in African Perspective, IVP Academic."},{"key":"ref_28","unstructured":"Gornik, Mark (2011). Word Made Global: Stories of African Christianity in New York City, Eerdmans."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Haynes, Naomi (2017). Moving by the Spirit: Pentecostal Social Life on the Zambian Copperbelt, University of California Press.","DOI":"10.1525\/california\/9780520294240.001.0001"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Heuser, Andreas (2015). \u201cPastures of Plenty\u201d: Tracing Religio-Scapes of Prosperity Gospel in Africa and Beyond, Peter Lang. Studies in the Intercultural History of Christianity 116.","DOI":"10.3726\/978-3-653-05822-2"},{"key":"ref_31","unstructured":"Hollenweger, Walter (1997). Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide, Hendrickson."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"139","DOI":"10.1080\/15602210600616218","article-title":"How to do (or not to do) a critical literature review","volume":"6","author":"Jesson","year":"2006","journal-title":"Pharmacy Education"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kalu, Ogbu (2008). African Pentecostalism: An Introduction, Oxford University Press.","DOI":"10.1093\/acprof:oso\/9780195340006.001.0001"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kgatle, Mookgo Solomon (2021). Pentecostalism and Cultism in South Africa, Palgrave Macmillan.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-030-69724-2"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kgatle, Mookgo Solomon, and Anderson, Allan H. (2020). The Use and Abuse of the Spirit in Pentecostalism: A South African Perspective, Routledge.","DOI":"10.4324\/9781003038795"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kgatle, Mookgo Solomon, Thinane, Jonas Sello, and Kaunda, Chammah J. (2023). Commercialisation of Religion in South Africa: A Pentecostal Approach, Palgrave Macmillan.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-031-41837-2"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"208","DOI":"10.1080\/1756073X.2019.1597489","article-title":"Diaconia as a Sustainable Form of Transformation and Development amongst Emerging Adults in a Globalised South Africa","volume":"12","author":"Knoetze","year":"2019","journal-title":"Practical Theology"},{"key":"ref_38","unstructured":"Lounela, Jaako (2007). Mission and Development: Finnish Pentecostal, Lutheran and Orthodox Mission Agencies in Development Work in Kenya 1948\u20131989, Abo Akademi University Press."},{"key":"ref_39","unstructured":"Mapuranga, Tapiwa Praise (2018). Powered by Faith: Pentecostal Businesswomen in Harare, Resource."},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"Martin, David (2002). Pentecostalism: The World Their Parish, Blackwell."},{"key":"ref_41","unstructured":"Mbiti, John S. (1991). Introduction to African Religio, Heinemann. [2nd ed.]."},{"key":"ref_42","unstructured":"Mburu, Elizabeth (2019). African Hermeneutics, Langham."},{"key":"ref_43","first-page":"316","article-title":"\u201cMake a Complete Break with the Past\u201d: Memory and Post-Colonial Modernity in Ghanaian Pentecostalist Discourse","volume":"28","author":"Meyer","year":"1998","journal-title":"Journal of Religion in Africa"},{"key":"ref_44","unstructured":"Meyer, Birgit (2015). Sensational Movies: Video, Vision, and Christianity in Ghana, Columbia University Press."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Miller, Donald E., and Yamamori, Ted (2007). Global Pentecostalism: The New Face of Christian Social Engagement, University of California Press.","DOI":"10.1525\/9780520940932"},{"key":"ref_46","unstructured":"Kohl, Margaret A. (1992). The Spirit of Life: A Universal Affirmation, Fortress."},{"key":"ref_47","unstructured":"Mugambi, Kyama M. (2020). The Spirit of Revitalization: Urban Pentecostalism in Kenya, Baylor University Press."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1163\/15733831-12341616","article-title":"Mission and Development: Two New Opportunities and a Continuing Challenge","volume":"36","author":"Myers","year":"2019","journal-title":"Mission Studies"},{"key":"ref_49","unstructured":"Nel, Marius (2020). The Prosperity Gospel in Africa: An African Pentecostal Hermeneutical Consideration, Wipf & Stock."},{"key":"ref_50","unstructured":"Ngoy, Nelson Kalombo (2019). Neo-Pentecostalism: A Post-Colonial Critique of the Prosperity Gospel in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Wipf & Stock."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Obadare, Ebenezer (2018). Pentecostal Republic: Religion and the Struggle for State Power in Nigeria, Zed.","DOI":"10.5040\/9781350221734"},{"key":"ref_52","unstructured":"Oduro, Thomas, Pretorius, Hennie, Nussbaum, Stan, and Born, Bryan (2008). Mission in an African Way, CLF."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fancello, Sandra, and Gusman, Alessandro (2022). Staking Out God\u2019s Kingdom: Moral Geographies, Land and Healing in Southern African Charismatic Christian Farming. Charismatic Healers in Contemporary Africa: Deliverance in Muslim and Christian Worlds, Bloomsbury Academic.","DOI":"10.5040\/9781350295476"},{"key":"ref_54","unstructured":"Osuigwe, Nkem Emerald (2014). Christian Churches and Nigeria\u2019s Political Economy of Oil and Conflict: Baptist and Pentecostal Perspectives, Cambridge Scholars."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"\u00d6hlmann, Philipp, Gr\u00e3b, Wilhelm, and Frost, Marie-Luise (2020). Introduction: African Initiated Christianity and Sustainable Development. African Initiated Christianity and the Decolonisation of Development: Sustainable Development in Pentecostal and Independent Churches, Routledge.","DOI":"10.4324\/9780367823825"},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Premawardhana, Devaka (2018). Faith in Flux: Pentecostalism and Mobility in Rural Mozambique, Penn State University Press.","DOI":"10.9783\/9780812294842"},{"key":"ref_57","unstructured":"Pype, Katrien (2012). The Making of the Pentecostal Melodrama: Religion, Media, and Gender in Kinshasa, Berghahn."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"a2495","DOI":"10.4102\/ids.v53i4.2495","article-title":"Prophets Praying for, or Preying on People\u2019s Faith: A Reflection on Prophetic Ministry in the South African Context","volume":"53","author":"Ramantswana","year":"2019","journal-title":"In die Skriflig"},{"key":"ref_59","first-page":"224","article-title":"Holisticism as Key Aspect of Development in Pentecostalism: A Study on the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe","volume":"vol. II","author":"Amanze","year":"2019","journal-title":"Religion and Development in Southern and Central Africa"},{"key":"ref_60","unstructured":"Thumma, Scott, and Travis, Dave (2007). Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America\u2019s Largest Churches, Jossey-Bass."},{"key":"ref_61","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"336","DOI":"10.1163\/157254311X600744","article-title":"The Pentecostal Gospel of Prosperity in African Contexts of Poverty: An Appraisal","volume":"40","author":"Togarasei","year":"2011","journal-title":"Exchange"},{"key":"ref_62","unstructured":"Turaki, Yusufu (2012). The Trinity of Sin, Zondervan."},{"key":"ref_63","unstructured":"Ukah, Azonseh (2008). A New Paradigm of Pentecostal Power: A Study of the Redeemed Christian Church of Good in Nigeria, Africa World Press."},{"key":"ref_64","unstructured":"Van der Walt, Tjaart (2007). The Messiah Has Come. A Guide in the Gospels for Serious Students of the Bible, Theological Publications."},{"key":"ref_65","unstructured":"Wariboko, Nimi (2008). God and Money: A Theology of Money in a Globalizing World, Lexington."},{"key":"ref_66","unstructured":"Wariboko, Nimi (2011). The Pentecostal Principle: Ethical Methodology in New Spirit, Eerdmans. Pentecostal Manifestos."},{"key":"ref_67","unstructured":"Wariboko, Nimi (2014a). Economics in Spirit and Truth: A Moral Philosophy of Finance, Palgrave Macmillan. Radical Theologies."},{"key":"ref_68","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wariboko, Nimi (2014b). Nigerian Pentecostalism, University of Rochester Press.","DOI":"10.1515\/9781580468725"},{"key":"ref_69","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wariboko, Nimi (2014c). The Charismatic City and the Public Resurgence of Religion: A Pentecostal Social Ethics of Cosmopolitan Urban Life, Palgrave Macmillan. CHARIS: Christianity and Renewal\u2014Interdisciplinary Studies.","DOI":"10.1057\/9781137463197"},{"key":"ref_70","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wariboko, Nimi (2020). The Split Economy: Saint Paul Goes to Wall Street, State University of New York Press.","DOI":"10.1515\/9781438480602"},{"key":"ref_71","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wariboko, Nimi (2023). Transcripts of the Sacred in Nigeria: Beautiful, Monstrous, Ridiculous, Indiana University Press.","DOI":"10.2307\/jj.2373317"},{"key":"ref_72","first-page":"461","article-title":"Religion, Culture, and Development: The Pneuma-Diaconal Perspective of African Pentecostalism","volume":"6","author":"White","year":"2020","journal-title":"Stellenbosch Theological Journal"}],"container-title":["Religions"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-1444\/15\/7\/832\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T15:12:36Z","timestamp":1760109156000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-1444\/15\/7\/832"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,10]]},"references-count":72,"journal-issue":{"issue":"7","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,7]]}},"alternative-id":["rel15070832"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/rel15070832","relation":{},"ISSN":["2077-1444"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2077-1444","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,10]]}}}