The bible as a social organizational tool in African urban Pentecostalism: The case of Christ is the answer ministries, valley road

Abstract

African urban Pentecostalism has attracted growing scholarly attention for its complex social and cultural dynamics. A key factor in its development is the strong resonance between African cultural values—especially the centrality of family—and Old Testament social structures. This article examines how the Bible functions as a tool of social organization within African urban Pentecostalism, shaping communal life amid the disruptions of urbanization, industrialization, and capitalism. Focusing on Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM), Valley Road, and using grounded theory to analyze qualitative data, the study argues that African urban Pentecostalism emerges from a tension between the traditional extended family and the increasingly dominant nuclear family. The findings show that many urban Africans turn to CITAM to navigate these pressures, drawing on biblical interpretation to build alternative or supplementary social networks that foster cohesion and well-being. The article demonstrates that the Bible is not merely a spiritual authority but a vital cultural resource that enables African Pentecostals to reconstruct supportive social structures in an otherwise fragmented urban environment.