Background slide

Pentecostalism is a highly decentralized Christian movement preached primarily by small, local churches. Pentecostalism emphasizes evangelism (ie, converting others to the religion), disciplined behavior (eg, it prohibits alcohol consumption and glorifies hard work), and direct, emotional connections with the Holy Spirit (eg, worship often involves dancing, crying, and passionate preaching). Beginning in the mid-20th century, Pentecostalism saw explosive growth throughout Latin America, challenging the historical dominance of Catholicism in the region.