WHY PENTECOSTALISM HAS SUCCEEDED AMONG ANIMISTS:

CONTEXTUALIZATION AMONG THE TRIBAL PEOPLE IN NORTHERN LUZON, PHILIPPINES

Julie Ma. During my mission work among the tribal people in Northern Luzon, Philippines, I observed how the gospel message was being contextualized by Pentecostals among these people. There are similarities between the worldviews of the tribal group and that of Pentecostals.

In this article, I conclude that the crux of the tribal people’s openness to the Pentecostal message lies in the similarities between the two worldviews, particularly in two specific areas. The first is the mutually held belief in supernatural power to heal the sick. By experience or observation, they are also convinced that the Christian God is more powerful than their spirits. The second is the shared faith in blessings from divine beings. The net result is an exponential growth of Pentecostal churches among various tribal groups.

Why Pentecostalism Has Succeeded among Animists