West Indian Pentecostals : living their faith in New York and London / Janice A. McLean-Farrell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McLean-Farrell, Janice A., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Pentecostals--New York (State)--New York.

Pentecostals.

Pentecostals--England--London.

West Indians--Migrations.

West Indians.

Emigration and immigration--Religious aspects--Pentecostal churches.

Emigration and immigration.

England--London.

New York (State)--New York.

Physical Description:

ix, 260 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Bloomsbury Academic, 2016.

Summary:

This is a significant in-depth study that explores the cultural context of the religious experience of West Indian immigrant communities. Whereas most studies to date have focused on how immigrants settle in their new home contexts, Janice A. McLean-Farrell argues for a more comprehensive perspective that takes into account the importance of religion and the role of both 'home' and the 'host' contexts in shaping immigrant lives in the Diaspora. West Indian Pentecostais: Living Their Faith in New York and London explores how these three elements (religion, the 'home' and 'host' contexts) influence the ethnic-religious Identification processes of generations of West Indian immigrants. Using case studies from the cities of New York and London, the book offers a critical cross-national comparison into the complex and indirect ways the historical, socio-economic, and political realities in diaspora contribute to both the identification processes and the 'missional' practices of immigrants. Its focus on Pentecostalism also provides a unique opportunity to test existing theories and concepts on the interface of religion and immigration and makes important contributions to the study of Pentecostalism. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Formation: Ethnic and Religious Identities within the West Indian Context 17

The ethnic portion of the tapestry 18

The Spanish contribution 20

The British and African contributions 25

The religious portion of the tapestry 35

Conclusion 43

2 Island Dreams and Disapora Realities: Migration, Transnationalism, and the Formation of Immigrant

Pentecostal Churches 45

Island dreams 47

Local and international factors influencing West Indian migration 49

Immigration laws and acts 55

Perpetuating the image 57

The Mother Country 58

The Promised Land 59

Diaspora realities 60

United States 61

Brooklyn context 63

Brownsville 63

Flatlands 64

A brief history of immigrant Pentecostal churches in New York City 64

Latter Rain Ministries 64

Beulah Church of God 66

Britain 67

London context 70

A brief history of immigrant Pentecostal churches in London 70

Kingsbridge New Testament Church of God 70

Transnationalism and the immigrants 72

Transnational activities of West Indian immigrants 74

Economic activities 75

Social activities 77

Cultural activities 79

Transnational activities among Pentecostal churches 81

Conclusion 83

3 Finding Space: Identification Among First-Generation Immigrants 85

Renegotiating identities 86

Ethnic identities 86

New York 86

London 90

Religious identities 94

New York 94

London 100

Manifestation of identities in the Pentecostal churches 104

Conclusion 112

4 Creating Space: Identity Construction Among West Indian Immigrant Youth 115

Dealing with home 116

Context: Describing the place called home 119

Constructing identities 127

Brooklyn 128

London 136

Appropriating their faith 143

Negotiating change 150

Conclusion 152

5 Led by the Spirit: Mission within West Indian Pentecostal Churches 155

Pentecostalism and mission 157

Pentecostalism within the West Indies 161

Mission within the diaspora 167

Challenges for mission within the diaspora 177

Conclusion 180.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781474255790

1474255795

OCLC:

918986535

Publisher Number:

40025793266