If you are interested in the history of black church in Britain, new book, Windrush and the Black Pentecostal Church in Britain is a must have. It is the second book from Roy Francis and chronicles the history of the black church movement in Britain from the late 1940s to the present day.

Roy is the son of a pioneering church leader here in Britain, and elder brother of Bishop John Francis, leader of Ruach Ministries. During his youth Roy met many pioneers of the black church. He has also worked extensively in this arena.

Windrush and the Black Pentecostal Church in Britain:

• CHRONICLES the development of Britain’s black churches
• SHOWS how black migrants responded to the racism they experienced
• PROFILES the pioneers of some key black Pentecostal denominations including the New Testament Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, Seventh Day Adventists and Church of God in Christ
• HIGHLIGHTS how America influenced Britain’s black Caribbean church 
• SHOWS how gospel music helped raise the profile of Britain’s black churches
• CHARTS the rise of the African Pentecostal church in Britain

The book also includes accounts of seminal moments in the development of the black church including the opening of Kingsway International Christian Centre in 1998.  Nigerian born pastor, Matthew Ashimolowo changed the game when he opened a 4000 seater church in Hackney, East London, which at the time was the largest church to open in Britain for 100 years. 

Roy also charts the development of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, now the largest black Pentecostal denomination in Britain and touches on some of the hot topic issues within the black Christian community like should women preach, the large number of female singles and the controversy of tithing versus offering. 

Roy, who is a former BBC producer of ‘Songs of Praise’, gospel promoter and music agent said:  “The story of the Windrush Generation and the legacy of the churches they left us needed to be told.  As the son of a Bishop and a musician, I was privy to many of the significant moments in the development of the Black Pentecostal Church in Britain and because of this I’m able to tell the story of a faithful, resilient people, who have built an institution which has played a significant part in raising black aspiration, lifting people out of poverty and highlighting that faith in God can help people overcome many of life’s troubles.”

Windrush and the Black Pentecostal Church in Britain is available via Roy’s website www.royfrancis.co.uk