After considering the historical emergence of religious broadcasting, this article surveys Pentecostal broadcasting in different parts of the world and seeks to estimate its influence.Keywords: Televangelism; local radio; religion and politics; healing Email: w.kay@glyndwr.ac.uk
IntroductionAs church attendance has declined in many parts of the western world, religious broadcasting brings religion to public notice among people who would otherwise never consider entering a church building. Because of its ambiguous status as both public and private space, the radio set and television screen delineate religion in legal and cultural terms while, within the intimacy of the home, establishing a quasi-personal relationship with the faith-embodying broadcaster. Pentecostals have been part of religious broadcasting since its inception, as we shall see.