Pentecostal Pastors in Cameroon as Social Success Stories: An Anthropological Perspective

The rapid proliferation of Pentecostal churches in Cameroon that began in 1990 coincided with growing economic instability and deteriorating living conditions. Researchers therefore tend to analyze the rise of Pentecostalism and pastors' careers in economic terms, with a focus on religious entrepreneurship. Without denying the heuristic potential of this approach, I argue that it provides an incomplete picture. By examining the trajectories of three Pentecostal pastors, this article takes a more nuanced approach to analyzing the processes by which Cameroonian religious leaders achieve prominence, establish legitimacy, and exercise leadership on the path to becoming inspirational figures and role models.