Ozlem Topcan

I am a PhD student at Ankara University, department of Philosophy and Religious Sciences. My dissertation topic is Development of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in Africa. Especially it focuses on a historical perspective in analyzing the development of Pentecostal and Charismatic movements in the context of Nigeria. I am awarded a grant by the Scientific and Technological Research Council by Turkey (TUBITAK). Now I have been performing a research at the Pentecostal and Charismatic Study Center in University of Birmingham. Pentecostalism has been the fastest growing movement in the world. The most important question is what factors make it as the fastest religious movement. The contemporary Pentecostal movement cannot be understood properly without seeking its historical roots. İn order to understand current growth of Christianity in the world, it is necessary to examine the history of establishment of the Pentecostal mission in African context. Nigeria is the most populous country and has a rapid growth of Christianity in Africa. So, it will be helpful to understand the African context. Also this study will understand how Christians were empowered for mission in the Nigerian context. My dissertation will study the relationship between birth and growth of the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria and the significant historical intersections and connections with Britain and United States, needs to be critically examined and explored.