Protestantism has been considered particularly weak for sustaining ethnic boundaries among immigrants. Recognizing the global adaptability and indigenization of Pentecostalism, however, we expect that immigrants from more pentecostal nations will likely retain their Protestantism in ways that affirm their ethnic identity. Using ethnographic data, our research demonstrates how a Guatemalan pentecostal church in Oregon successfully preserves its homeland culture, revealing how the structure of Pentecostalism at La Iglesia de Restauración (affiliated with Elim churches) sustains ethnic continuity with its native indigenous culture. This Latino Protestant church affirms Pentecostalism's capacity to encourage transnational relationships through a variety of social mechanisms, including provision of ethnic symbols and a space to use them, use of homeland languages (both Ki'ché and Spanish), promotion of a homegrown leadership. Moreover, the doctrinal division between world and church discourages assimilation into American culture while simultaneously reinforcing maintenance of godly indigenous practices that are legitimated as appropriately religious. © 2017 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Case study Congregations Transnationalism Immigration Pentecostalism Ethnic identity Ethnography

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