Abstract:
In the last two decades a new phenomenon has occurred within African
Christianity. There has been a proliferation of new religious groups, churches and
ministries which for the most part have seceded from the classical African Initiated
Churches or among themselves. These movements arose in the wake of the collapsed
economic and political systems in the decade of the 1980s. The failure of nationstates
created massive disillusionment which resulted in many Africans turning to
these popular religions as a place believed to give full participation and satisfaction.
This present work attempts to tell the story of the Eternity Worship Centre as
an example ofthis new phenomenon by utilizing oral history, relying heavily on the
memories of the founding members. It aims at analyzing and critiquing the traditional
explanations of African independency which states that Africa Initiated Churches
emerged as a result of revolting against legitimate missionary leadership.
The first chapter/ introduction state the purpose, significance and methodology
of this task and review some of the relevant literature. The next four chapters tell the
story of the Eternity Worship Centre and its secession from the Rhema Fellowship.
The second chapter briefly traces the background of Christianity in Africa as well as
the rise and traditional explanations of African independency. Chapter three mainly
focus on the rise of the new phenomenon (popular religion) in Africa in the decade of
the 1980s and concluded with the history of Rhema Fellowship and the birth of
Eternity Worship Centre. Chapter four highlights the analysis and influences on the
Eternity Worship Centre by different religious forces. Chapter five takes a careful
look at the factors which were responsible for the secession of Eternity Worship
Centre from the Rhema Fellowship. The thesis concluded with lessons,
recommendations, and future of the new phenomenon in Africa in Chapter six.
