"This book takes a giant step both in theology and in social ethics. It forces theologians to examine the worship and spirituality of Hispanic Pentecostals as a source of theological construction and pushes the Pentecostalists themselves to see the broader social implications of their own faith expressions. With both Hispanic peoples and Pentecostalists forming a larger and larger portion of the American cultural and religious reality, this is a vital book, indeed an indispensable one, for any person knowledgeable about our society to read and ponder."Harvey Cox - Harvard Divinity School"Here is a pioneering book. . . . Villafane works a synthesis of the cultural and the spiritual and celebrates the capacity of Pentecostalism to appeal to Hispanic Americans. The time is ripe for this important book which delves into the very passion of the human heart and offers an ethic of hope and liberation. It should be read by anyone interested in the spiritual condition of Hispanics in a pluralistic society."Jesse Miranda - Azusa Pacific University"The Liberating Spirit should be required reading for anyone interested in the study of social ethics, Pentecostal theology, or Hispanic American theology. Dr. Villafane has broken the long-standing bifurcation of the profane and the sacred so often associated with Pentecostal theology. The Liberating Spirit introduces us to a new and liberating way of being Christians led by the spirit in the modern world."Samuel Solivan - Andover Newton Theological School"Fully aware of the pitfalls and promises of oral theology, Villafane approaches his topic from inside an Hispanic Pentecostal understanding of the Spirit, vividly describing the pains and joys of an Hispanic Pentecostal in the United States. . . . After reading this book it is impossible to paint the whole Pentecostal movement with the brush of right-wing theological and political conservatism."Walter Hollenweger - University of Birmingham, England

"Seeks to provide a history of the Latino AG [Assemblies of God] that can also serve as a case study and window into the larger Latino Pentecostal, Evangelical, and Protestant movements along with the changing flow of North American religious history." (page 2).

Education is Latinos' number one concern. This volume offers an analysis of why many are underachieving, while pointing to the role of religion in helping Latinos improve their academic outlook. Parents, researchers and practitioners will benefit from understanding the importance of religion in the educational experience of Hispanics.

Today over forty million Latin Americans classify themselves as Protestant, of which the overwhelming majority belong to some form of Pentecostalism. The rapid dissemination of Pentecostal beliefs has produced vibrant alternatives to traditional dominant culture and changed relations within the family, locality, and workplace. This volume introduces broad issues in the Pentecostal movement, including gender relations, political power and organization, and inter-Pentecostal and ecumenical relations. These themes are then examined more specifically in the country case studies, which address the historical foundations of the Pentecostal movement, patterns of and explanation for its growth, and the consequences of its expanding presence, including increased political influence.

This book critically examine how Latinos(as) engage in defining their identity, which in turn affects how their religious beliefs and expressions are created and constructed.

Building on the largest national survey of teenage religion ever conducted, leading Catholic and Protestant experts recount in unprecedented detail the experiences of God, faith, community, youth ministry, and family among the fastest-growing segment of young people in the country--Latinos. Listen as young Hispanics describe their faith and hopes in their own words; gain understanding of the major issues affecting their religious development and life prospects; and improve your ministry or family life with insightful pastoral recommendations. Note: Please allow 7-14 days for delivery.

Is New York a post-secular city? Massive immigration and cultural changes have created an increasingly complex social landscape in which religious life plays a dynamic role. Yet the magnitude of religion's impact on New York's social life has gone unacknowledged. New York Glory gathers together for the first time the best research on religion in contemporary New York City. It includes contributors from every major research project on religion in New York to provide a comprehensive look at the current state of religion in the city. Moving beyond broad surveys into specific case studies of communities and institutions, it provides a window onto the diversity of religious life in New York. From Italian Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, and Russian Jews to Zen Buddhists, Rastafarians, and Pentecostal Latinas, New York Glory both captures the richness of religious life in New York City and provides an important foundation for our understanding of the current and future shape of religion in America.