The Centre’s Vision
The Whitelands Centre for Pentecostalism & Community Engagement (WCPCE) was formally launched in October 2019. It provides a welcoming space for pastors, students and researchers to share experiences, as well as to research, publish and reflect upon Pentecostal and Charismatic theology, practice, and engagement in public life. It aims to nurture a community of reflective practitioners, contributing to Christian mission, education and professional development.
The Centre aims to:
- Promote the study and understanding of Pentecostal and Charismatic history, theology and spirituality as a global phenomenon;
- Provide a safe space for investigating and critically reflecting on Pentecostal and Charismatic mission and engagement with government and policy makers in different social and political contexts;
- Convene seminars, conferences and national/international initiatives;
- Work with churches, parachurch organisations and NGOs to harness the social capital of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches for community cohesion and the common good;
- Encourage the publication of research on Pentecostal/Charismatic theology and global Christianity;
- Foster good ecumenical relations between Pentecostal/Charismatic churches and other traditions;
- Develop sustainable national and international partnership and knowledge transfer projects.
News
Congratulations to Dr Bisi Adenekan-Koevoets who has been awarded a British Academy postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Essex. Bisi was a PhD student at Roehampton, supervised by Dr Richard Burgess and Dr John Eade, graduating in 2022. Her postdoctroal project is entitled: Lived religion and socioeconomic mobility among second-generation Nigerian Pentecostals in London. Click here to find out more details.
Events
The Centre organises a programme of research seminars. These take place monthly on Zoom. The research seminars provide both an opportunity for Roehampton research students, staff and alumni to share their research and also to hear from esteemed Pentecostal/Charismatic theologians. Visiting speakers have included Prof Mark Cartledge, Prof Amos Yong and Prof William Kay.
The Centre also organises regular workshops (both face to face and on Zoom) which aim to bring together academics and church leaders/members to share information, views and perspectives, and to work together on issues and challenges related to Christian mission and community engagement. Past topics have included ‘Prophecy and Pentecostalism: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’ and ‘The relationship between healing and health in Pentecostalism’.
If you would like to be kept informed of future events, please subscribe to our mail list here.
Past Events
Prophecy and Pentecostalism: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (May 2023)
Word and Spirit: Pentecostal Perspectives on Education and Discipleship (October 2023)
Latest publications
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