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African Pentecostalism in America: a Study of a Nigerian Charismatic Church in South Florida

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African Pentecostalism in America: a Study of a Nigerian Charismatic Church in South Florida Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 3-26-2020 African Pentecostalism in America: a Study of a Nigerian Charismatic Church in South Florida Uchenna Regina Onwumelu [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Part of the Other Religion Commons Recommended Citation Onwumelu, Uchenna Regina, "African Pentecostalism in America: a Study of a Nigerian Charismatic Church in South Florida" (2020). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4386. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4386 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida AFRICAN PENTECOSTALISM IN AMERICA: A STUDY OF A NIGERIAN CHARISMATIC CHURCH IN SOUTH FLORIDA A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in RELIGIOUS STUDIES by Uchenna Onwumelu 2020 To: Dean John Stack School of International and Public Affairs This thesis written by Uchenna Onwumelu and entitled African Pentecostalism in America: A Study of a Nigerian Charismatic Church in South Florida, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this thesis and recommend that it be approved. __________________________________ Erik Larson ___________________________________ Iqbal Akhtar ____________________________________ Albert Wuaku, Major Professor Date of Defense: March 26, 2020 The thesis of Uchenna Onwumelu is approved. _____________________________ Dean John Stack School of International and Public Affairs _________________________________ Andres G. Gil Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Dean of the University Graduate School Florida International University, 2020. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Immeasurable thanks to the Almighty for His lovingkindness and mercies throughout the journey of graduate school. My gratitude goes to Chumdimdu, Angel Onwumelu, Chimsismdi, Stephanie Onwumelu, and Sochikayima Emmanuella Onwumelu, my beautiful creatures who their memories serve as the muse for success and inspiration. My deepest gratitude also to Mrs. Nchedo Onwuamaegbu, who her words of encouragement lingered in moments of loneliness. Professor Albert Wauku, Professor Erik Larson, Professor Akhtar Iqbal, I am grateful for your academic support throughout the entire program, especially during the period of research. I also appreciate Ms. Luz Aviles and Ms. Yusimi Sayus for the beautiful moments we shared in the office. I cannot forget Rev Ugochukwu Onyinnaya who made this research possible by granting me access to the area of study and encouraging members to participate and contribute towards my research. iii ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS AFRICAN PENTECOSTALISM IN AMERICA: A STUDY OF A NIGERIAN CHARISMATIC CHURCH IN SOUTH FLORIDA by Uchenna Onwumelu Florida International University, 2020 Miami, Florida Professor Albert Wuaku, Major Professor In recent decades, there has been a rapid growth of African Pentecostal or Charismatic Christianity in the West and the United States of America. Researchers in this area have identified some of the roles that these African religious organizations paly in the diaspora. This research argues that African Pentecostals in diaspora not only serve the purpose of evangelism or proselytism but are also contexts for Africans to perform their identity and at the same time, serve as a connection between the diaspora and the homeland. The study is fieldwork-based. Using performance and simultaneity as the theoretical leads, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Nigerian originated church in South Florida as a case, this research explores the activities of Nigerians in the United States and concludes that the church offers the context of a between and betwixt life for migrants. The church also creates the basis for their identity and cultural performance. Date; March 26, 2020 Time: 4pm Place: MMC, DM 223 Department: Religious Studies iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTERS PAGES CHAPTER 1 .................................................................................................................. 1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY .......................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1 The Problem ........................................................................................................... 3 Research Questions................................................................................................. 5 Research Methodology ........................................................................................... 6 Findings and the Main Argument of the Study ...................................................... 9 The Relevance of the Study .................................................................................. 11 Organization of Chapters ...................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................ 14 RELEVANT THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS ................................................... 14 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................ 20 REVIEW OF LITERATURE................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................................................ 32 THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD IN NIGERIA ..................... 32 The Discourse ....................................................................................................... 37 CHAPTER 5 ................................................................................................................ 41 THE STORY OF THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD IN MIAMI……………………………………………………………………………. 41 Organization of the Church .................................................................................. 43 The Origins Story ................................................................................................. 45 Making Ethnographic Sense of the Origins Story ................................................ 47 CHAPTER 6 ................................................................................................................ 50 THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD AS A PERFORMING GROUND ................................................................................................................. 50 v Introduction .......................................................................................................... 50 The Prayer Warrior Tradition ............................................................................... 52 The Sunday Service .............................................................................................. 54 Healing and Deliverance Hour/ Service ............................................................... 60 Praise and Worship Service .................................................................................. 63 Itinerant Preachers ................................................................................................ 65 Witnessing and Testimony Time .......................................................................... 68 The Thanksgiving Service .................................................................................... 70 Cultural Day ......................................................................................................... 72 Early Morning Encounter with the Holy Ghost .................................................... 75 Evangelization/ Proselytization ............................................................................ 78 Child Dedication/ Funeral Assistance .................................................................. 82 Child Visitation..................................................................................................... 86 The Children Department ..................................................................................... 88 Social Services ...................................................................................................... 92 CHAPTER 7 ................................................................................................................ 94 CONCLUSION OF THE THESIS ........................................................................... 94 Summary of Findings ........................................................................................... 95 Bibliography………………………………………………………………………… 97 Online Sources .................................................................................................... 101 vi CHAPTER 1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY Introduction Changes in immigration policies coupled with current economic, social, and political difficulties in other parts of the world, have accelerated the pace of migration into the United States and the rest of the western world, particularly in the past few decades. As a result, the country has experienced a massive influx of newcomers from Latin America, Asia, and the
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