THE INFLUENCE OF PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION. A CASE STUDY OF
LIVING FAITH PENTECOSTAL CHURCH (WINNERS CHAPEL)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
A global study and research on Pentecostal Pentecostal churches is an on-going assignment because of its impact on the religious, political and socioeconomic life of the people. A survey of the available number of Pentecostal Pentecostal churches in Nigeria as shown that they are emerging daily in the nooks and crannies of the country. The emergence of Pentecostal Pentecostal churches is daily challenging the existing Mainline and Aladura Pentecostal churches in national development. It has therefore become a fundamental concern for scholars of Pentecostal church History, History and Sociology in Nigerian Universities to devote much time to study such Pentecostal churches. Essien (1998) opines that “this situation calls for continuous research of their forms, the socio-religious and economic conditions that necessitate their emergence and their relevance to the social life of their adherents and to the society at large”. This has necessitated the need for this study on the influence of Pentecostal Pentecostal churches on the development of education in Nigeria. In
Nigeria, some of the established Pentecostal Pentecostal churches are Pentecostal church of God’s Mission, founded by the late Arch-Bishop Benson A.Idahosa in Benin City, Edo state, Household of God’s Pentecostal church, being led by Rev. Chris Okotie in Oregun, Lagos, the Redeemed Christian Pentecostal church of God founded by the late Pastor Josiah Akindayomi and presently under the leadership of Pastor Enock Adejare Adeboye with International headquarters at Mowe, Ogun state. The Deeper Life Christian Pentecostal church founded by Pastor Williams Folorunso Kumuyi and based in Lagos.Rev.Gabriel Oduyemi’s Bethel Ministry at Wonder City, Lekki Peninsular, Lagos, Pastor Patrick Anwuzia’s Zoe Ministries, and Pastor Tunde Bakare’s Latter Rain Assembly in Lagos, Rev.Tunde Joda’s Christ Chapel International, Lagos and Bishop Wale Oke’s Sword of the Spirit Pentecostal church based in Ibadan. Others are the Victory Life Pentecostal church International established by Pastor Mike Bamidele at Ilesa, Osun state, New Testament Pentecostal
church based in Ilorin and established by Pastor M.R.Popoola, Mountain of Fire and Miracles, founded by Pastor Daniel