Pentecostalism is the fastest growing religious movement in the world, currently estimated to have at least 500 million adherents. In the movement's early years, most Pentecostal converts lived in relative poverty, yet the rapidly shifting social ecology of Pentecostal Christians includes many middle-class individuals, as well as an increasing number of young adults attracted by the music and vibrant worship of these churches. The stereotypical view of Pentecostals as "other-worldly" and disengaged from politics and social ministry is also being challenged, as Pentecostals-including many who are committed to working for social and political change-constitute growing minorities in many countries. Spirit and Power addresses three main questions: Where is Pentecostalism growing globally? Why it is growing? What is its social and political impact? The contributors to this volume include theologians, historians, and social scientists, who bring their diverse disciplinary perspectives to bear on these empirical questions. The essays draw on extensive survey research as well as in-depth ethnographic field methods, with analyses offering diverging and sometimes competing explanations for the growth and impact of Pentecostalism around the world.

SECTION 1. Pentecostal Origins: From Azusa Street to Global Networks--Chapter 1: The Emergence of a Multidimensional Global Missionary Movement: Trends, Patterns, and Expression/Allan Anderson--Chapter 2: Launching a Global Movement: The Role of the Azusa Street in Pentecostalism's Growth and Expansion/Cecil M. Robeck, Jr.--SECTION 2. Why is Pentecostalism Growing?--Chapter 3: Spirited Competition: Pentecostal Success in Latin America's New Religious Marketplace/R. Andrew Chesnut--Chapter 4: The Growth and Development of Non-Catholic Churches in Paraguay/Henri Gooren--SECTION 3. Pentecostalism and Politics--Chapter 5: Pentecostalism and Politics in Latin America: Compromise or Prophetic Witness?/Paul Freston--Chapter 6: Pentecostalism and Democracy: Is There a Relationship?/Robert Woodberry--SECTION 4. Pentecostalism and Social Engagement--Chapter 7: Pentecostals and the New World Order in El Salvador: Separating, Consuming, and Engaging/Timothy Wadkins--Chapter 8: The Metamorphosis of Nigerian Pentecostalism: From Signs and Wonders to Service and Influence in Society/Danny McCain--SECTION 5. Transnational Pentecostalism--Chapter 9: Reconfiguring the Global Religious Economy: The Role of African Pentecostalism/Afe Adogame--Chapter 10: Remittances and Mission: Transnational Latino Pentecostal Ministry in Los Angeles/Juan Martinez--SECTION 6. Gendered Pentecostalism --Chapter 11: Beautiful Feet: Women Leaders and the Shaping of Global Pentecostalism/Estrelda Alexander--Chapter 12: Constructing Gender within Global Pentecostalism: Contrasting Case Studies in Colombia and South Africa/Katherine L. Attanasi--SECTION 7. Spirit/Power--Chapter 13: Gifts of the Spirit: Reflections on Pentecostalism and Its Growth in Asia/William Kay--Chapter 14: Prophecy, Empowerment and Godly Love: The Spirit Factor in the Growth of Pentecostalism/Margaret Poloma and Matthew T. Lee--Conclusion: Pentecostalism in Global Perspective /Richard Flory and Kimon H. Sargeant--Appendix. By the Numbers: The Global Expansion of Pentecostalism--1. Global Pentecostal Demographics /Todd Johnson--2. Pentecostal Growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America: Findings from a Ten Country Survey/John Green--Index