Pentecostalism and other Christian “renewal” sects are some of the fastest-growing religious movements on the planet, particularly in the global South. The common feature of most Pentecostal groups is a focus on an ecstatic experience that believers describe as “baptism in the Holy Spirit,” which manifests in the form of speaking of tongues, healing and prophesy.
The sheer numbers of Pentecostals in places like Brazil, Nigeria and China mean that they exert a powerful influence on the way economic development, religious authority and politics are evolving in those regions. CRCC has deployed researchers in more than 20 countries across the global South and East to study Pentecostalism and its impact in the developing world.
BookFijians in Transnational Pentecostal NetworksFijians in Transnational Pentecostal Networks by Karen Brison (Australian National University, 2023) The writing of this book was supported by the Pentecostal Charismatic Research Initiative. In Fijians in Transnational Pentecostal Networks, Karen J. Brison …Topics: Books, Christians and Christianity, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism, Religious Affiliation
BookReligion in Los Angeles: Religious Activism, Innovation and Diversity in the Global CityReligion in Los Angeles: Religious Activism, Innovation and Diversity in the Global City Edited by Richard Flory and Diane Winston (Routledge, 2021) Why has Los Angeles been a hotspot for religious activism, …Topics: Books, Buddhists and Buddhism, Catholics and Catholicism, Christians and Christianity, Community Organizing, Creativity and Innovation, Faith-Based Organizations, Hindus and Hinduism, Interfaith/Multifaith Movements, Jews and Judaism, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism, Religious Leadership, Southern California
CRCC in the NewsWashington Post & RNS: Flory on Pentecostal Church’s Attempt to Resurrect a ChildHundreds of congregants attempted to resurrect a 2-year-old girl with song and dance at Bethel Church in Redding, California. The Washington Post and Religious News Service interviewed Richard Flory on Pentecostal beliefs …Topics: Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
CRCC in the NewsThe Guardian: Flory on the Rise of Pentecostalism in AmericaToday’s Pentecostalism in America is not what it used to be. As Australian Pentecostal groups – such as Hillsong, C3, and A21 – are rapidly growing across America, they are also transforming …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Megachurches, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
CRCC in the NewsThe Monthly: Flory on the Popularity of Hillsong’s Christine CaineMegachurch Hillsong has recently been attracting a growing number of worshippers, and Christine Caine has emerged as a rising star among America’s evangelical circuit, selling out theaters and megachurches across the country. …Topics: Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Megachurches, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism- CRCC in the NewsKCRW: Flory on the Popularity of Hillsong and Celebrity ChristianityHillsong Church and other popular evangelical churches are attracting celebrities and large number of young Christians, but their stances on social issues are more conservative than many attendees may realize. KCRW’s Press …Topics: Evangelicals and Evangelicalism, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
CommentaryNobel Peace Prize Winner Denis Mukwege Keeps the Faith in the Face of ViolenceI had the privilege of interviewing 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Doctor Denis Mukwege in 2017 in the small country of Armenia, where he was a finalist for the Aurora Prize—a $1 …Topics: Engaged Spirituality, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism, Spiritual Exemplars, Sub-Saharan Africa, Violence
CommentaryStudying Religion in the “Belly of the Beast” – A Prison in RioIt seemed like a good idea when I made the arrangements. But my heart was beating at double speed and I was filled with doubt, as a staff member handed me a …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Criminal Justice, Latin America, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism, Violence
CRCC in the NewsReviews of The Rise of Network Christianity[Updated February 6, 2018] The Los Angeles Review of Books and two academic journals reviewed The Rise of Network Christianity: How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape, by CRCC’s Richard Flory …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
CRCC in the NewsNew York Times: Richard Flory on Hillsong’s Celebrity Culture“Own the Moment” by Hillsong NYC Pastor Carl Lentz presents the church’s brand of hip, approachable Christianity, according to the New York Times Books section. The story turned to CRCC’s Richard Flory …Topics: Branding and Marketing, Christians and Christianity, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
CRCC in the NewsChristianity Today Review of “If I Give my Soul”Christianity Today reviewed Andrew Johnson’s book, If I Give My Soul: Faith Behind Bars in Rio de Janeiro, giving the book five stars. Johnson’s research for the book was supported by CRCC’s Pentecostal …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Latin America, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism- CRCC in the NewsBuzzfeed News: INC Christianity Spreads through Bethel School of Supernatural MinsitryThe Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry is causing rifts in Redding, California, Buzzfeed News reports. The school is at the center of INC — Independent Network Charismatic — Christianity, a growing movement …Topics: Christians and Christianity, Pentecostals and Pentecostalism
“In the Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, Pentecostalism is the dominant faith. The religiously motivated projects that serve the poor, prisoners, gang members and the homeless in these areas are almost exclusively Pentecostal. … What remains unclear is the role that the increasingly powerful Protestant contingent will play in Brazilian history.”
—Andrew Johnson
“Brazil’s Sleeping Giant”
CRCC Experts
To schedule an interview with one of our experts, please contact CRCC:
crcc@usc.edu or 213-743-1611
Brad ChristersonBrad Christenson is a sociologist who has written extensively in the areas of religion, race, ethnicity, and globalization.
Richard FloryExecutive DirectorRichard Flory is a sociologist whose work focuses on religion and urban life, religious and cultural change, and youth and young adults.
Andrew JohnsonPast FellowAndrew Johnson is a sociologist who studies religion on the margins of society, with specific interests in religious practice inside of prison, Latin American Pentecostalism and religion in the city.
Juan MartínezPast FellowJuan Martinez studies the history of Latino Protestantism, Latino Protestant identity and transnational mission among U.S. Latinos.
Donald E. MillerCo-FounderDonald Miller focuses on global religious trends, genocides of the 20th century, and the role of religious NGOs in addressing issues of moral concern.