Nairobi, Feb. 9 -- Over the last 20 years there's been an unprecedented increase in charismatic Pentecostal prophets - or men of God as they're called in Pentecostal parlance. Across Africa their unchecked influence has spread into social, economic and political institutions.

Pentecostalism is one of the fastest-growing strands of Christianity on the continent. In Zimbabwe, for example, the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministry claims its membership rose from 45 to over a million in just five years. This is a significant number in a country with a population of 16 million. Zimbabwe's United Family International Church boasts that over 70,000 attend its Sunday services.

Charismatic Pentecostal prophets are known for leading megachur...