Pentecostals and Immigration in Europe

This chapter considers the impact of immigration on European Pentecostalism with a particular focus on Britain, the Netherlands and Ukraine. It begins by outlining the context of Pentecostalism and immigration in Europe, before examining the links between migration, mission and church growth. Most research on migration and mission has focused on African-led churches, which constitute the largest Christian diaspora in Europe. There are also a significant number of churches planted by Caribbean, Asian and Latin American migrants. Here I focus on the presence of African churches. Some African Pentecostal migrants opted to join indigenous Pentecostal churches, resulting in increased ethnic diversity. However, many preferred the socio-cultural and religious support of migrant churches. Thirdly, the chapter considers the relations between African migrant Pentecostal churches and European churches, including indigenous Pentecostal churches. The way migrant churches style their ecumenical relations varies considerably. Finally, the chapter examines the engagement of indigenous British Pentecostal churches with immigration and racial justice issues in response to their encounters with migrant Christianity as well as with racism in church and society. It considers what this might tell us about a Pentecostal theology of migration, ethnic diversity and racial justice.