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This work is a historical description of a prophetic type of church known as Nomiya Luo Church (NLC) in Nyanza Province of Kenya. It is an analysis of both secondary and primary sources on the NLC in order to reconstruct its history, discuss the dynamics of its beliefs and practices, outline the background of the movement, and establish the gender roles and attitudes in this church. The author explores the connections between gender and the Christian ideology of independency in the formation of new social relations. The predominance of women in NLC cannot be overstated. It is inferred that gender shapes religious ideology. Moreover, as the rank and file members of such a movement, women also possess their own hidden sub-cultures and practices, which definitely influence NLC. It is arguable that the situation of women and the nature of Christianity in Africa, specifically, in Kenya are both shaped by histories and cultures that are moulding the contemporary situations. The main question this study endeavours to answer is: Are women in independent churches victims of patriarchy? This book is recommended for University and tertiary scholars and NLC Members.

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Dr. Mildred A. J. Ndeda (Ph.D.) is a senior Lecturer in the Department of History, Kenyatta University, Kenya, where she has taught for the last 25 years. She teaches historical themes at postgraduate and undergraduate levels and has supervised many masters and doctoral students. She is a specialist in gender and women´s history.

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