Chapter 12 Pentecostalism in Singapore: History, Adaptation and Future
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The dramatic increase in Singapore’s Christian population in the last few decades has been greatly attributable to Pentecostal revival movements. Today, Pentecostal churches account for about one-third of the churches in Singapore. The Assemblies of God of Singapore, the largest Pentecostal denomination in Singapore, has 44 churches with 22,463 adherents. Most of the independent churches in Singapore have Pentecostal leanings. All the four well-known megachurches, City Harvest Church, New Creation Church, Lighthouse Evangelism and Faith Community Baptist Church are Pentecostal in theology and practice, although independent of any international Pentecostal organisation. Many Methodists and Anglicans in the last few decades have also embraced the Pentecostal experience and their churches’ growth is attributable to charismatic renewals. This chapter describes Pentecostalism in Singapore and explores the challenges the movement has had and will face in coming decades. I first provide a brief history of the rise of Pentecostalism and the forces that have led to its relative success in the religious market. I then examine how Pentecostalism has adapted to the social-political and cultural landscape of Singapore and finally consider factors that can affect its future ability to thrive in the religious landscape.