Pentecostal
‘Denomination matters’ in Black-focused faith-based health programs, scholars say
By Adelle M. Banks — June 28, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Faith-based health initiatives need to appropriately integrate the faith practices and norms of Black church members with denomination in mind,’ Duke scholars say.
In Los Angeles, a pair of art exhibitions centers the Black worship experience
By Alejandra Molina — April 15, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Through sculptures, paintings, video and performances, the artists explore the impact of Black Pentecostalism drawing 'upon the choreography and sonics of possession found in Black spirituality.'
At second Easter under pandemic rules, Christians glimpse church’s future
By Adelle M. Banks, Emily McFarlan Miller, Alejandra Molina, Bob Smietana, and Yonat Shimron — April 2, 2021
(RNS) — The pandemic has 'redefined for me what church is going to be like and what the definition of membership is,' said one pastor in North Carolina.
A Mexican American evangelical examines how Latino identity is shaped by faith
By Alejandra Molina — February 18, 2021
(RNS) — Jonathan Calvillo’s book, ‘The Saints of Santa Ana,’ is based on interviews in the California city, where nearly 80% of residents are Latino and many are of Mexican heritage.
John Legend credits childhood in Pentecostal church for his choice to pursue music
By Adelle M. Banks — February 8, 2021
(RNS) — ‘I just grew up around a family full of folks who loved to sing and loved to sing about Jesus, and we were together all the time,’ said the recording artist, who appears in a new documentary on the Black church.
Evangelical asylum-seekers stuck in Mexico hold prayer vigil for the US election
By Bob Smietana — November 6, 2020
(RNS) — 'Their lives and the lives of the children depend on the outcome of the election,' said Alma Ruth, founder of the Texas-based Practice Mercy Foundation.
A surge of over 100 COVID-19 cases linked to evangelical Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry
By Alejandra Molina — October 6, 2020
(RNS) — Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency connected 123 cases to the school over the past two weeks, Tim Mapes, a Shasta County Health spokesperson, confirmed with Religion News Service on Wednesday (Oct. 7)
‘High-Church Pentecostal’ leader J. Delano Ellis dies at 75
By Adelle M. Banks — September 21, 2020
(RNS) — ‘Traditionally,’ Ellis said in 1995, ‘the Pentecostal church maintained its ardor but was never really known for its order.’
Judge increases bail for La Luz del Mundo leader to $90 million
By Alejandra Molina — August 6, 2020
(RNS) California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on July 30 refiled charges against Naasón Joaquín García, months after a California appeals court dismissed García’s criminal case on procedural grounds.
John MacArthur believes the Bible trumps COVID-19 public health orders. Legal scholars say no
By Alejandra Molina — August 6, 2020
(RNS) — While the government can't tell people what to believe, it can restrict their actions. That includes restricting religious practices during a pandemic.
Mental illness is hurting Black faith communities. Prayer shouldn’t be our only defense.
By Kenneth C. Ulmer — August 4, 2020
(RNS) — African Americans are more likely to go to the altar than go to a therapist. We need to acknowledge that professional help, when combined with prayer and with the comfort of a community of believers, is a gift from God.
Liturgy-hungry young Christians trade altar calls for Communion rails
By Kathryn Post — June 18, 2020
(RNS) — ‘Low’ or ‘free’ church Christians, raised on contemporary worship services with praise bands and dim lights, are seeking out ‘high church’ traditions replete with sacramental rituals and ancient liturgy.
This LA megachurch has served 350,000 free meals during pandemic
By Alejandra Molina — April 22, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The Dream Center, the nonprofit of the Pentecostal megachurch Angelus Temple, doesn’t appear to plan on stopping.
Bethel still believes in miracles but discourages hospital visits for healing prayer
By Alejandra Molina — March 11, 2020
(RNS) — The church is discouraging Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry students — who evangelize to strangers as they learn to pray and to heal the sick — from visiting health care settings.
How Reddit is helping ex-La Luz del Mundo members cope with life after the church
By Alejandra Molina — March 4, 2020
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The subreddit appears to include commentary from former and current members of the church who may be nonbelievers but who remain in La Luz del Mundo for their families and loved ones.
