Faith and Identity: Christianity Among First-Generation African Americans

ATLANTA– The trend of younger generations ceasing to attend church is one that is apparent across many cultures and groups. Most notably, the first-generation members of the African diaspora.

The majority of the African diaspora subscribes to the Christian religion, and partake in religious practices such as attending church on Sundays and periodically through the week, regular prayers, and reading the Bible. However, for many African Americans, the practice of attending church is becoming less popular. This trend is especially notable in the subgroup of first-generation African Americans, as their parents often come from homes and communities where church is taken rather seriously.

Nike Isiba is a youth leader at Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM) Revival Center in Duluth, Ga. MFM is an international, Nigerian, megachurch founded on the biblical idea of deliverance. Isiba has experienced the reality of church in both Nigeria and America. She says the difference between the cultures is shocking.

“In Africa, the church is open everyday,” Isiba said. “There is always something happening. People go there multiple times a day to pray and to commune with one another, some even sleep there. It really is a cornerstone of society. In America, it’s not the same.”

In addition to a massive difference in church culture, Isiba also notices that increasing numbers of youth and young adults are choosing not to go to church.

Kiki Ajibade is a 23-year-old member of another MFM branch in Lithia Springs. She was raised in a family that is very active in the church. Despite that, she says at more recent times in her life she felt herself pulling away from the faith and consistency of attending church. 

“As a kid who grew up with parents who were very involved in the church, I feel like I didn’t have much of a choice,” Ajibade said. “Not that I was forced to go, but it was just what my family did. At certain times in my life I’ve felt myself going away from it a little bit, but now that I have graduated, I’m getting back to it.”

Although Ajibade is getting back into the practice of attending church regularly, she says she feels as though the American lifestyle does not particularly lend itself in favor of consistent attendance.

“Life in America is very busy,” Ajibade said. “Responsibilities come up and even though I know I should go, I have to take care of other things.”

In addition to the push and pull of everyday life, Isiba says that parent’s strict adherence to their cultural ways of worship are different from their children who have been raised in the United States.

“African churches are long,” Isiba said. “ You’re there for almost three hours, sometimes longer, from morning to afternoon. Children raised here don’t have the attention span for that. That is why I try to keep my lessons short and informational, that way I am able to impart something in the amount of time I have their focus.”

In addition to the length of time spent in services, Isiba believes that many parents in the African diaspora try too hard to force their children to believe the same way they believe, and their efforts may instead push their children away from church and the religion altogether.

A few years ago in her church, a girl wanted to get baptized.

“My church does not do baptism,” Isiba said. “The girl’s mother forced her to stay in the church, but after service she would come to me crying. She felt very strongly that baptism was a step she wanted to take in her faith.”

Eventually the situation got so bad that the girl’s mental health began to suffer. After speaking with the girl’s mother many times, Isibaconvinced her to let her daughter go to a church of her choosing, one that included baptism. Today, she says the girl is much happier in her faith and with life overall.

“Faith is something that is very personal and individual,” Isiba said. “ We cannot force people to believe the same way we do, even within the same religion. New generations are different, they always have been. Instead of being judgemental, we need to welcome them. The bible tells us to ‘come as we are.’”

Despite many young, first-generation African Americans leaving church and struggling with their religion, still others are finding their ways to both Christianity and church attendance. 22-year-old Shahyem Drummond is one of these people

Born to Jamaican and Dominican parents, (respectively,) Drummond says Christianity has given his life meaning and purpose.

“I was raised in a very abusive household,” Drummond said. “The majority of my family is Rastafarian. They believe in drinking and doing drugs excessively. For them, life is about chasing the highest high you can get.”

At a time, Drummond had made plans to take his own life. Christianity changed that. After coming to Christ, he says his life has improved amazingly.

To Drummond, many of the people leaving the faith, are people who haven’t allowed their relationship with Christ to become a personal one.

“They haven’t made it their own yet,” Drummond said. “You can’t live off your parents’ faith forever. If it doesn’t become yours then it won’t stick, and everything about it becomes a chore.”

As new generations arise, the old ways of doing things change, on both a societal and personal level. Faith, particularly the Christian faith, has shaped the world, society, and individual lives in a multitude of ways. Only time will tell how current and future generations connect to it, or leave it behind.