ISBN 9789990876253
Pages 204
Dimensions 216 x 140 mm
Illustrations B/W Illustrations and Maps
Published 2005
Publisher Kachere Series, Malawi
Format Paperback

Pentecostalism in Malawi

A History of the Apostolic Faith Mission 1931-1994

by Ulf Strohbehn

Pentecostalism and the commonly known ‘charismatic’ churches create an unavoidable buzz in contemporary Malawi, which now boasts over 200 Pentecostal and Charismatic dominations, and over a million affiliated members and followers. The roots of Pentecostal movement in Malawi can be traced to the 1930s, emanating from Los Angeles, and coming via South Africa during the early part of the twentieth century. There has however been little research published on the phenomenon in the country to date; and most attention has generally been received from sociological interests.

Pentecostalism in Malawi aims to fill a gap in the historiography of Pentecostalism in Malawi by approaching it from historical and theological perspectives. Mostly constructed from oral sources, local histories and interviews conducted in Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Germany, the book traces the history of the apostolic faith mission from its ‘machona’ (migrant labour) beginnings, through the spread of the missionaries, to its position on the social and religious landscape in the postcolonial period. The work concludes with some reflections on why Pentecostalism has been so successful in Africa.

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About the Author

Ulf Strohbehn

Ulf Strohbehn, originally from Germany, came to Malawi in 1997 and worked for fifteen years at the International Bible College Berea in Ndirande, Blantyre. He has been at the forefront of contextualized theology in the country and in doing so has helped many Christians to live a wholistic life and to proclaim a culturally relevant Gospel. Ulf also taught at Chancellor College, Zomba and lectured in cultural anthropology at the Catholic University of Malawi. He currently lives in Finland and works as a missionary trainer and cultural anthropologist for Fida International. He holds a BA degree from Global University, MA and PhD degrees from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College, Zomba.

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