Empowered 21 Global Council Convenes in Orlando
Top global leaders unite to focus energy toward the 2,000 year anniversary of the birth of the church.
The Empowered21 Global Council, an esteemed group of International Christian leaders, co-chaired by Jack Hayford and Billy Wilson, convened in Orlando, Florida, for a three-day meeting on January 10-12, 2012 to discuss the Empowered21 initiative and give inspirational oversight to a series of 11 regional Empowered21leadership teams that have formed around the globe. The Empowered21 Global Council(www.empowered21.com) adopted a new bold vision statement for the movement that states:
“That every person on Earth would have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit….. by Pentecost 2033.”
Additionally, the Council articulated 12 objectives, one of which is to encourage and resource local churches around the globe to rediscover Pentecost Sunday each year. Pastors will be challenged to preach and teach on the Holy Spirit inviting new generations to experience Him in a fresh way. Numerous resources will be provided to assist local churches each Pentecost Sunday. This initiative will be launched to initially focus toward on May 27, 2012, which is Pentecost Sunday.
The next Empowered21 Global Congress date was set with the proposed location of Jerusalem, Israel, May 17-22, 2015, to coincide with Pentecost Sunday.
“The Empowered21 Global Council continues to provide inspirational direction to the entire Empowered21 process. It was great to hear the regional reports and realize what the Holy Spirit is doing around the world. Significant decisions were made that will help Empowered21 advance over the next few years—with a clear, fresh vision statement being adopted. We are honored that we can serve the Spirit-Empowered movement at this very exciting time,” said Billy Wilson, Executive Director of International Center For Spiritual Renewal and Co-Chair, Empowered21 Global Council.
Regional cabinets have formed and convened in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the United States and beyond since the first Empowered21 Global Congress on Holy Spirit Empowerment held in Tulsa, Okla. April 8-11, 2010.
Empowered21Asia held the first E21 Regional Congress in Jakarta, Indonesia October 25-28, 2011, with 49 nations and over 14,000 people in attendance. Most notable, during the Asia Congress were the over 700 attendees from mainland China. This is thought to be the largest-ever gathering of Chinese Christian leaders outside of their nation. Another Empowered21 Asia Congress is set for May 2013.
The next regional Empowered21 meeting will be Converge21 USA held at Regent University and Founders Inn, February 29-March 3, 2012. This gathering is being conducted in partnership with the Society for Pentecostal Studies. Converge21 USA will bring together leaders, scholars and next generation voices to focus on the future of Spirit-empowered Christianity in the United States. This is a by invitation only event. Leaders and next gens can apply for an invitation at www.Converge21.org.
Additionally, an Empowered21 Next Gen Youth Leaders Network called NGYN21 (www.NGYN21.com) has been established to connect front line youth workers around the world who are ministering Christ to the next generation in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the first-ever global network for Spirit-filled youth leaders.
Empowered21’s mission remains “to help shape the future of the Global Spirit-empowered movement throughout the world by focusing on crucial issues facing the movement and connecting generations for inter-generational blessing and impartation”.
The Empowered21 Global Council attendees at this meeting included co-chairs Jack Hayford (Jack Hayford Ministries, USA) and Billy Wilson (International Center For Spiritual Renewal, USA), Isak Burger (Apostolic Faith Mission, South Africa), Ron Carpenter (Int’l Pentecostal Holiness Church, USA), Juanita Cercone de Gonzalez (Enlace TV, USA), Lazarus Chakwera (Assemblies of God, Malawi), Rick Ciaramitaro (Windsor Christian Fellowship, Canada), Daniel de León (Templo Calvario, USA), Chady El Aouad (Abundant Life Church and Ministries, Lebanon), Ingolf Ellssel (Pentecostal European Fellowship, Germany), Jeff Farmer (PCCNA, USA), David Ferguson (Intimate Life Ministries, USA), Alton Garrison (Assemblies of God, USA), Mart Green (Oral Roberts University Board of Trustees, USA), Prince Guneratnam (Calvary Church, Malaysia), Wayne Hilsden (King of Kings Community Jerusalem, Israel), Al Hollingsworth (BOSS Global, Inc., USA), Rob Hoskins (One Hope, USA), Cindy Jacobs (Generals International, USA), Ron Luce (Teen Mania, USA), Gordon McDonald (Pentecostal Holiness Church, Canada), Gordon Moore (3C Church Network, Australia), Niko Njotorahardjo (Gereja Bethel Indonesia, Indonesia), Samuel Rodriguez (National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, USA), Ricardo Sanchez (Ricardo Sanchez Ministries, USA), Greg Surratt (Seacoast Church and ARC, USA), Vinson Synan (Regent University, USA), Matthew Thomas (Central India Outreach, India) and David Wells (Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, Canada). Special guests included Jay Gary (Regent University, USA), Rob Greaves (representing Margaret Court, Victory Life Centre, Australia), Djohan Handojo (Bethany Church, Singapore), Dennis Hardiman (Marketplace Leader, USA), Guillermo Maldonado (Ministerio International El Rey Jesus, USA) and Steve Strang (Charisma Media, USA)
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TO BOOK an INTERVIEW or SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT with BILLY WILSON or a Member of the Empowered21 Global Council, contact Matti Stevenson • 423-478-7078 • [email protected].
