Spirit-led Missions

Abstract

A rigorous approach to missions is a significant trait of classical Pentecostalism. However, the multi-cultural context of the United Kingdom shows that most African Pentecostal churches are struggling to attract much indigenous populace as compared to mega-churches in Africa. Using the case study of Apostolic Faith Mission International Ministries UK, this study explores the church’s strategies to missions and its impact on church growth in the United Kingdom. The study used Spirit-infusion as a theological framework for discussing Spirit-led missions. The study is phenomenological observation qualitative research, data was gathered through in-depth interviews, questionnaires, and participant observations. A key finding was that the church’s missions strategy is spontaneous, all-believers, auxiliary and structured; but they are failing to translate into church growth. The study concludes that the church should revisit the issue of ‘experience’ coupled with negotiating to move beyond the cultural, ethnic, and colonial boundaries. The study recommends that the African Pentecostal theology of missions in diasporic contexts must consider: the Spirit experience; lives concentrated to the Spirit; Spirit of miracles; and Spirit of excellence.