Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

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Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Halmos College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Conflict Resolution Studies

First Advisor

Ismael Muvingi

Second Advisor

Elena Bastidas

Third Advisor

Urszula Strawinska-Zanko

Keywords

African immigrants, Australia, case study qualitative research, Christian churches, church formation, church integration, church separation, conflict management, cultural identity, culture, Europe, focus groups, global migration, immigrant communities, integration, international borders, North America, observations, qualitative analysis, social identity theory, systems theory, United States

Abstract

The global human migration, people crossing international borders in search of a better life, has seen an increase century after century. The 20th and 21st centuries are believed to be centuries of great migration. Easier access to information, knowledge and technology are inflaming and catapulting human migration to a level never seen before. Among the people massively exiting their native countries and continents in search of safety and better living conditions are Central and South Americans, Asians, and Africans, with Europe, North America, and Australia as their most popular migration destinations. This study focused on African immigrants living in the United States of America and their Christian church formations. Using a case study qualitative method of analysis, this research examined the question of African immigrants electing to form their own Christian Churches rather than integrating into existing and often well-established Christian Churches in the United States. The study’s findings suggested that African immigrants chose church separation over integration for many reasons, culture being the most dominant driver in this choice. Interviews, observations and a focus-group were conducted among a selected number of African immigrant Church leaders and Church members for data collection. Systems theory, culture and social identity theories served as theories upon which this research built its argument on the question of African immigrants establishing their own Churches or joining African branches of international or global Churches in the United States. The study also and more specifically looked at conflicts African immigrants experienced within this context and how they addressed them.

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