From the 1930s the East African Revival influenced Christian expression in East Central Africa and around the globe. This book analyses influences upon the movement and changes wrought by it in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Congo, highlighting its impact on spirituality, political discourse and culture. A variety of scholarly approaches to a complex and changing phenomenon are juxtaposed with the narration of personal stories of testimony, vital to spirituality and expression of the revival, which give a sense of the dynamism of the movement. Those yet unacquainted with the revival will find a helpful introduction to its history. Those more familiar with the movement will discover new perspectives on its influence.

Contents: Part I Historical Overview: Introduction, Kevin Ward; Revival, mission and Church in Kigezi, Rwanda and Burundi, Kevin Ward. Part II Testimony and Personal Perspectives: Jesus Christ the 'truthful mirror', John G. Gatu; A personal experience of the revival, John C.T. Church; The revival through CMS eyes, Simon Barrington-Ward; Revival and Pentecostalism in my life, Amos Kasibante. Part III Historical and Cultural Perspectives: Possessing spirits, powerful water and possible continuities, Cynthia Hoehler-Fatton; The loyalties of early revival leaders in Busoga, Ken Farrimond; Revivalism and dissent in colonial East Africa, Derek R. Peterson; Haya women's response to revival, Birgitta Larsson; Chosen Evangelical revival on the Northern Congo-Uganda border, Emma Wild-Wood. Part IV Socio-Theological Perspectives: Confession and cultural dynamism in the revival, John Karanja; The revival testimony of second wives, Esther Mombo; Revivalists' narratives of genocide survival, Nick Godfrey. Part V Sources and Scholarship: 'Recordings of the work of the Holy Spirit', Terry Barringer; The revival in an African milieu, Kevin Ward; The East African revival in the study of African Christianity, Emma Wild-Wood; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

About the Editor: Dr Kevin Ward taught in Uganda for many years and is lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at Leeds University, and the author of A History of Global Anglicanism, and currently writing a history of the Ruanda Mission of CMS and its impact on the life of the Churches in Kigezi, Rwanda and Burundi. Emma Wild-Wood taught in DR Congo and Uganda. She is Director of the Henry Martyn Centre and teaches in Cambridge University and the Cambridge Theological Federation. She is the author of Migration and Christian Identity in Congo (DRC).

Reviews: 'This wonderful collection of essays on the East African Revival contains a rich mixture of personal accounts, commentary by church leaders, scholarly essays, and historical resources. It gives an unsurpassed view of one of the most important Christian movements of the twentieth century. Occasioned by the establishment of the Joe Church Collection at the Henry Martyn Center, Cambridge University, it belongs on the bookshelf of everyone concerned with the growth and identity of African Christianity today.'
Dana L. Robert, Boston University, USA

Visit Kevin Ward's profile page on the Leeds University website

Emma Wild-Wood is Director of The Henry Martyn Centre.

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Full contents list

Introduction

Index