My 8th pilgrimage was to a nondescript alley in downtown LA that was the birthplace of the 20th century global Pentecostal movement. I visited it on the eve of the Pentecostal centennial celebration. One hundred years ago, the black preacher William Joseph Seymore, ignited a spiritual spark among his (then radical) interracial congregation that spread to well over a half a billion souls today[1]. Considering Pentecostalism’s religious, social and political importance, I was embarrassed by my lack of familiarity with the phenomenon, but I also realized that I wasn’t alone in my ignorance. The explosive growth of Pentecostalism is one of the most important religious events of the 20th century, yet I know very few people who can tell me much about it.
Comparing Pentecostalism to Mormonism helps me a bit. In the 1990s, their numbers in the U.S. were comparable (2.5 million Mormons and 3.2 million Pentecostals/Charismatics in 1990), but Pentecostalism beat Mormonism growth rate over the decade by an order of magnitude[2]. The 19 million members that join the worldwide Pentecostal movement each year is greater than the total membership of the LDS church[3]. There are currently at least twice as many Pentecostals in the U.S. as there are Mormons. In spite of this, Pentecostals seem more marginalized in the public sphere. Prominent Pentecostal public officials included John Ashcroft and James Watt [4], while LDS leaders include Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Massachusetts Governor and potential Presidential candidate Mit Romney, cabinet member Mike Leavitt, and Orrin Hatch, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary, Finance, and Select Intelligence committees[5]. Mormons have some strange ideas and practices–why the comparative obscurity of the much more successful (at least in numbers) Pentecostals?
I’m not sure if I have an answer. Their belief in the literal interpretation of the Bible and in the imminent return of Christ to reign on the earth are shared with many Evangelicals. Perhaps it’s the societal aversion to the Pentecostal improvisational worship style and emphasis on the physical manifestations of the Spirit, such as speaking in tongues (gibberish to outsiders) and being “slain in the spirit” (fainting). Then again, Mormons have their funny underwear and secret temple ceremonies. It could be that much of the growth is taking place outside of the United States (in Latin America, Pentecostalism is a serious threat to Catholic rule). I’m stumped. I welcome any ideas, especially from current or former Pentecostals.
I plan to visit a Pentecostal meeting in the next few months, so that I can add some small experience to my book knowledge. Perhaps then I can gain a better understanding of both their appeal and why they seem to fly under the radar. For now, I’d like to post a few pictures of my pilgrimage to Azusa Street. Looking at these pictures, it’s hard to believe that this was the birthplace of a movement that is sweeping the globe. Then again, one could say the same looking at present-day Bethlehem, or Sinai, or Palmyra, New York.
The tiny print on the sign says: “Site of the Azusa St. Revival from 1906 to 1931. Cradle of the Worldwide Pentecostal Movement.”
This is a view of the entire length of Azusa St. It seems less a street and more an access driveway for Little Tokyo businesses.
This is the view from the opposite end, looking towards the city center.
The rest of these are taken in or from the alley.
It should be obvious that Azusa Street really isn’t a holy place to the hundreds of millions of Pentecostals around the world. It’s a positive historical memory, to be sure. But they haven’t enshrined the space the way that Mormons have the Sacred Grove, ancient Christians the Church of the Nativity, Muslims Mecca, the Buddhists the Bodhi Tree, etc. They certainly have the resources. In retrospect, perhaps it’s not surprising that a movement focused on the continuing, very real presence of God within each believer would not go out of their way to build a monument to one such visit in the past.
1. “Ready or Not”, Sojourner’s Magazine. This is a great summary of the demographic and denominational changes Christianity is experiencing in the early 21st century.
2. adherents.org, see “Largest denominational families in the U.S., 2001.” The data’s a little confusing because Pentecostals and Charismatics are lumped together, but the Pentecostal Assemblies of God is counted separately.
3. 12.6 million as of December 31, 2005. lds.org “Key Facts and Figures”.
4. The Political Graveyard: Pentecostal Politicians.
5. Famous Mormons in Politics and Wikipedia: List of Latter-day Saints Currently in Office
