Return Migration and the Global Pentecostal Diaspora: A Case Study of Brazilian Pentecostals in the United States

In recent decades, Pentecostalism has emerged as a major global religious movement, with an estimated 600 million adherents worldwide. This growth has been fueled in part by migration, as Pentecostals have spread their faith to new corners of the globe. One of the most significant Pentecostal diasporas is that of Brazilian Pentecostals in the United States.

Brazilian Pentecostals began migrating to the United States in large numbers in the 1980s and 1990s. They were drawn to the United States by economic opportunity, as well as the desire to escape religious persecution in Brazil. Today, there are an estimated 1 million Brazilian Pentecostals living in the United States.

Jesus Loves Japan: Return Migration and Global Pentecostalism in a Brazilian Diaspora

by Robert Ludlum

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4045 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	289 pages

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While many Brazilian Pentecostals have made the United States their permanent home, a significant number have chosen to return to Brazil. This phenomenon of return migration is not unique to Brazilian Pentecostals, but it is particularly pronounced among this group. According to a recent study, approximately 20% of Brazilian Pentecostals who migrate to the United States eventually return to Brazil.

There are a number of factors that motivate Brazilian Pentecostals to return to their home country. These include:

• Economic factors: The Brazilian economy has grown significantly in recent years, and this has led to increased opportunities for employment and economic advancement in Brazil.
• Family factors: Many Brazilian Pentecostals return to Brazil to be closer to their families. This is especially true for those who have children, as they want to raise their children in a Brazilian environment.
• Religious factors: Some Brazilian Pentecostals return to Brazil because they feel that they can better serve their faith community in their home country. They may also be drawn to the vibrant Pentecostal movement in Brazil.

While there are many factors that motivate Brazilian Pentecostals to return to their home country, the decision to return is not always an easy one. Returnees often face a number of challenges upon their return, including:

• Economic challenges: Returnees may find it difficult to find employment in Brazil, as they may not have the necessary skills or credentials. They may also face discrimination from employers who are reluctant to hire someone who has been living abroad.
• Social challenges: Returnees may also face social challenges upon their return. They may feel like outsiders in their own country, as they have adopted different customs and values while living abroad. They may also find it difficult to reconnect with their former friends and family members.
• Religious challenges: Returnees may also face religious challenges upon their return. They may find that their Pentecostal faith is not as widely accepted in Brazil as it is in the United States. They may also face discrimination from other Pentecostals who view them as outsiders.

Despite the challenges they face, many Brazilian Pentecostals who return to their home country find that it is a rewarding experience. They are able to reconnect with their families and friends, and they can contribute to the development of their communities. They may also find that they are able to better serve their faith community in Brazil.

The Impact of Return Migration on Sending and Receiving Communities

The return migration of Brazilian Pentecostals has a significant impact on both their sending and receiving communities. In Brazil, the return of Pentecostals has contributed to the growth and vitality of the Pentecostal movement. Returnees have brought with them new ideas and practices, and they have helped to spread Pentecostalism to new areas of the country. They have also played a key role in the development of Pentecostal institutions, such as churches, schools, and hospitals.

In the United States, the return migration of Brazilian Pentecostals has had a more mixed impact. On the one hand, it has contributed to the growth and diversity of the Pentecostal movement in the United States. Returnees have brought with them new ideas and practices, and they have helped to spread Pentecostalism to new areas of the country. They have also played a key role in the development of Pentecostal institutions in the United States.

On the other hand, the return migration of Brazilian Pentecostals has also led to some tension within the Pentecostal movement in the United States. Some Pentecostals in the United States view returnees as outsiders, and they may be reluctant to accept them into their churches and communities. This tension is likely to continue as the number of Brazilian Pentecostals returning to the United States continues to grow.

The return migration of Brazilian Pentecostals is a complex phenomenon that is shaped by a variety of factors. These include economic, family, religious, and social factors. While returnees often face challenges upon their return, many find that it is a rewarding experience. They are able to reconnect with their families and friends, and they can contribute to the development of their communities. They may also find that they are able to better serve their faith community in Brazil.

The return migration of Brazilian Pentecostals has a significant impact on both their sending and receiving communities. In Brazil, the return of Pentecostals has contributed to the growth and vitality of the Pentecostal movement. In the United States, the return migration of Brazilian Pentecostals has had a more mixed impact. On the one hand, it has contributed to the growth and diversity of the Pentecostal movement in the United States. On the other hand, it has also led to some tension within the Pentecostal movement in the United States.

Jesus Loves Japan: Return Migration and Global Pentecostalism in a Brazilian Diaspora

by Robert Ludlum

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4045 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	289 pages

FREE