Nigerian-Initiated Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches in the Czech Republic: Active Missionary Force or a Cultural Ghetto?

Abstract

Abstract The phenomenon of the Nigerian Pentecostal/charismatic missionaries and communities led by them has been fairly well documented with respect to some Western European countries. However, much less attention has been given to the ministry of Nigerian-initiated Pentecostal/charismatic churches in Central Europe. The present paper seeks to fill this lacuna by exploring the ministry of three Nigerian-initiated churches in Prague, the Czech Republic, namely ‘The Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries’, ‘Covenant Parish Prague’ of ‘The Redeemed Christian Church of God’, and ‘The Holy Ghost End Time Ministries Intl.’ The present article analyzes different strategies these churches use to move beyond their ethnic origin. On these particular case studies, it tests a thesis, suggested by the research done by various scholars with respect to the Nigerian Pentecostal immigration in Europe and, especially, Great Britain, which claims that Nigerian-initiated Pentecostal/charismatic churches in Europe fail to appeal to the population of non-Nigerian and non-Pentecostal/charismatic backgrounds. This contribution suggests taking a more complex approach to the phenomenon by considering aspects such as contextual knowledge/experience of the pastor, language politics, worldview, worship style, and outreach policy. It will be proposed that sheer numbers are not to be perceived as the main indicator of whether or not a specific church represents an active missionary force, but rather a multiplicity of factors should be taken into consideration.