Kurien Quoted in Texas Standard Article on Immigrant Churches in Diaspora Network, US Church Growth

September 14, 2023

Texas Standard

Prema Kurien

Sociology Department

Center for Qualitative and Multi-Method Inquiry

South Asia Center

Sovereignty Order & Conflict Program

Religion

U.S. Immigration

United States

Texas Standard

Prema Kurien

Reports on American religious demographics often focus on the decline of Christianity and the rise of the “nones,” or religiously unaffiliated. But, under the radar, immigrant churches with powerful messages and ecstatic worship services are providing spiritual and material support for communities that have resettled in the U.S.

In Austin, Texas, an interdenominational group called the Diaspora Network connects and empowers these churches.

Prema Kurien, professor of sociology, says there is a logical reason why immigrant groups exhibit higher rates of religiosity. “Immigration and relocation from a familiar context to something completely unfamiliar is a theologizing experience,” Kurien says. “It raises existential questions—things that people don’t think about when they are in their home country with a familiar community.”

Read more in the Texas Standard article, “Diaspora worship service in Austin represents nationwide shift in church demographics.”