Faith healing and the livelihood of the believers in Neopentecostal movements: a case study of heavenly prophetic city ministry in Gulu city

Abstract

The study sought to establish the contributions of Faith Healing to the livelihood of believers in Neo- Pentecostal movements with particular reference to Heavenly Prophetic City Ministry in Gulu. Heavenly Prophetic City Ministry is one of the Neo-Pentecostal movements in Gulu City located in Bardege- Layibi Division. The Ministry has attracted several followers many of whom suffer socio-economic and political challenges emanating due to the 20 years LRA insurgency in the region. There exists mixed reactions among the followers of this church. Some reiterate its contributions towards solving their problems; others testify that the movement does not solve problems. The research applied phenomenological and ethnographic designs and targeted 35 people as the study population. Purposive sampling was used to select participants and data collection methods included interviews, observation, focus group discussions and document review. The study established that the HPCM’s teaching and understanding of faith healing helps the believers to get free from all evils associated with socioeconomic and political challenges. The church however, equates the failure to have one’s prayers answered to lack of faith in God. The study discovered no evidence on the contributions of faith healings on the livelihood of the believers, though the believers are called to be patience and continue in prayers with faith in God. The study recommends that teachings on faith healings be integrated with measures that would support the believers to flourish economically through livelihood initiatives, and there ought to be collaboration with other agencies that seek to provide alternative livelihood initiatives.