Black Immigrants from Africa and Caribbean Are Reshaping Historically Black Denominations
A new study finds that Black immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean are bringing Bible-centered, missional theology into historically Black denominations like COGIC and AME Zion. Researchers project this shift will significantly increase ethnic diversity in these denominations by 2060.
Black immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean are changing the makeup and theology of historically Black denominations in the United States, according to new research published in April 2026.
About one in ten Black individuals in the U.S. is now foreign-born. Many of these immigrants are deeply religious and are joining churches affiliated with denominations like the Church of God in Christ and the AME Zion Church. They are bringing theological perspectives that researchers describe as Bible-centered and missional, often more conservative on social issues than the American-born members of these congregations.
The study, published in Christianity Today, projects that this demographic shift will substantially increase ethnic diversity within historically Black denominations by 2060. Researchers say the change is already visible in urban congregations in cities with large African and Caribbean immigrant populations.
The integration is not without tension. Some American-born members of these churches have expressed concern about cultural differences in worship style, church governance, and political engagement. Immigrant members, for their part, sometimes find the American Black church's focus on social justice politics unfamiliar.
Church leaders in several denominations say they are working to build bridges between these communities. They see the influx of immigrant members as an opportunity to strengthen congregations that have faced declining attendance among younger American-born Black adults.
