Cross-Cultural Mission Among the Second Generation of African Pentecostals in the Apostolic Faith Mission International Ministry, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Apostolic Faith Mission International Ministry in the United Kingdom (AFMIMUK) was founded in 2003 by a group of African migrants who came to the UK to work or study. This church has shown some signs of growth, but its challenge remains—winning the local British people. This article works within the framework of a cross-cultural mission to argue that the second generation of African Pentecostals in the AFMIMUK has the potential to win the local people. This generation refers to the young people who were either born in the UK or grew up there as opposed to their parents who were born in Africa. This crosscultural study found that, unlike the first generation, the second generation of AFMIMUK can act as change agents in their churches because of their understanding of the local culture inclusive of the local worldviews, values, beliefs, and lifestyles. The second generation has potential when it comes to the utilization of technology and media for the propagation of the gospel in cross-cultural communication. Lastly, this generation can fill the cultural gap between the country of origin and the host country when it comes to worship and preaching styles. Data were collected by using the participant observation method, as the researcher lived and fellowshipped among this second generation between 2020 and 2023. The article utilizes a thematic analysis by looking at the main themes of the cross-cultural mission that are relevant to unleashing the mission potential of the second generation.