This book argues that local and global religious social forces are primarily responsible for the social developments in communities in the global south.This book shows that new centers of Christianity have taken root in the global south. Stephen Offutt argues that local and global religious social forces, as opposed to other social, economic, or political forces, are primarily responsible for the social developments in these communities.This book shows that new centers of Christianity have taken root in the global south. Stephen Offutt argues that local and global religious social forces, as opposed to other social, economic, or political forces, are primarily responsible for the social developments in these communities.This book shows that new centers of Christianity have taken root in the global south. Although these communities were previously poor and marginalized, Stephen Offutt illustrates that they are now socioeconomically diverse, internationally well connected, and socially engaged. Offutt argues that local and global religious social forces, as opposed to other social, economic, or political forces, are primarily responsible for these changes.Introduction; 1. A new way of thinking about a global faith; 2. Historical sketches of El Salvador and South Africa; 3. Encountering transnational religious social forces; 4. Exercising local influence: an entrepreneurial approach; 5. The social contours and global reach of the new centers of global evangelicalism: enlarging organizations, exporting religion, and creating social stratification; 6. New strategies of public engagement: integrated political engagement, increasing social engagement, and shifting beliefs; Conclusion. The explosive growth of Evangelical Protestantism in many countries is one of the most important religious developments today. This book by Stephen Offutt, based on original research in El Salvador and South Africa, provides a fascinating picture of the interaction of international and local lă"