Description
The research that produced this book was a study of the factors that contributed to the growth of the Assemblies of God Church in Kenya. The study was based on the premise that advances in information technology at the dawn of the third millennium accounted for increased influence between global communities. Such influence seemed to steer the pace and intervals of paradigm shifts in Africa. The study revealed that the African society, which gives context to the African church, experienced paradigm shifts in unique ways. Unlike communities in neighbouring continents, communities in Africa faced the challenge of tackling multiple paradigms concurrently. The situation portrayed an overlap between pre-modern, modern and post-modern worldviews with the latter two emerging at what seemed to be an irregular pace and recurring intervals. The post-modern worldviews that emerged within pockets of specific communities in Africa seemed to pose a challenge to the growth and existence of the church. This book adds to the ongoing construct on the phenomenon of the African church history. It informs the attempts of evaluating the past while understanding reasons for growth at the present and projecting ways in which growth may be stimulated in the future. The target readers of this book include: educators and students of historical theology in Africa; leaders, members and partners of the churches in Africa across all denominations.
The Rev. Dr. Florence Akumu Owuor-Juma is an Associate Professional Faculty in spiritual care and psychotherapy at Martin Luther University College of Wilfrid Laurier University. She began her ministry journey in her youth with the Assemblies of God Church in Kenya and then migrated to Canada with her family. Florence is ordained with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and serves in the hospital as a Certified Educator-Supervisor in Clinical Pastoral Education. She is a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and certified with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care.
Faith Bosch –
The book “A Solid Foundation” was both engaging and educational, providing a rare, comprehensive context for understanding the multiple paradigm shifts that influenced the historical development of the Assemblies of God Church in Kenya. It was so valuable to gain a historically rooted window into the multiple and complex ways of thinking and events that have shaped recent African Church development and trajectory. As a self-motivated learner with interest in African history, the book was accessible, academically sound, and engaging to read. A true treasure