From global missionizing among proselytic faiths to mass migration through religious diasporas, religion has traveled from one side of the world and back again. It continues to play a prominent role in shaping world politics and has been a vital force in the continued emergence, spread, and creation of a transnational civil society. Exploring how religious roots are shaping organizations that seek to aid people across political and geographic boundaries - 'service movements' - this book focuses on how religious movements establish structures to assist people with basic human needs such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and health. Examining a multitude of faith traditions with origins in different parts of the world, seven contributing chapters, with an introduction and conclusions by the senior author, offer a unique discussion of the intersections between religious transnationalism and social movements.

Chapter 1 Introduction to Religious and Global Transnational Service Movements, Stephen M. Cherry; Chapter 2 The Redeemed Christian Church of God: African Pentecostalism, Afe Adogame; Chapter 3 The Gulen Movement: Sunni Islam, Helen Rose Ebaugh; Chapter 4 Soka Gakkai International: Nichiren Japanese Buddhism, Daniel A. Metraux; Chapter 5 BAPS Swaminarayan Community: Hinduism, Arun Brahmbhatt; Chapter 6 The Gawad Kalinga Movement: Charismatic Catholicism, Stephen M. Cherry; Chapter 7 Aga Khan Development Network: Shia Ismaili Islam, Karim H. Karim; Chapter 8 Bahá'í International Community: Bahá'í Faith, Mike McMullen; Chapter 9 Studying Global Transnational Religious Service Movements, Stephen M. Cherry;