Budapest, Hungary– Over 35 leaders of Pentecostal denominations and Charismatic ministries from 16 nations across Europe united together in Budapest, Hungary, November 19-20, 2012, for a special Summit focused on the future of Spirit-empowered Christianity. This historic gathering was a launch point for a pan-European relational network called Empowered21 Europe. The Empowered21 European Council Summit was an outgrowth of the Empowered21 global initiative, which began in 2010.
Empowered21 is an initiative whose stated mission is “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 intergenerational blessing and impartation”. The united vision for Empowered21 is “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”. The focus of Empowered21 is unity, the Holy Spirit, new generations, and 21st century effectiveness in mission. Twelve regional teams from every continent are forming networks of cooperation and conversation that will allow leaders to work together in shaping the future of the movement in their region.
Harvard University professor, Harvey Cox has called “renewalist”, Spirit-empowered or Pentecostal/Charismatic Christianity the “fastest growing Christian movement on earth”. According to Pew Forum, “Renewalists” or Spirit-empowered Christians now number over 614 million globally. Empowered21 Europe has been organized to assist leaders and Christian workers in connecting with one another and with new generations in order to witness continued growth of this movement in the 21st century.
During the Empowered21 European Council Summit several topics of concern were addressed including the most pressing issues Spirit-empowered movements face in 21st century Europe and possible steps those involved in Empowered21 should take to address them. Special time was allotted for the Summit to consider a joint resolution expressing the participants concern for Europe’s spiritual future and their united commitment to stand together on behalf of new generations (resolution attached). Each participant formally signed the resolution. It is anticipated that hundreds of other European leaders will commit to the resolution in the days ahead.
Empowered21Europe is led by co-chairs, Ingolf Ellssell, who serves as Chairman for the Pentecostal European Fellowship, representing the largest Pentecostal movements in over 35 European nations and Sándor Németh, who serves as Senior Pastor of Faith Church Budapest, one of the largest Charismatic ministries on the continent. Pastor Németh shared that “Empowered21 Europe is unlike most other ministry networks in that it has brought us European leaders together to focus on Europe. I am glad to see this new step of unity and honored to be a part.” Ellssell stated: “We hope to see the traditional divide between Pentecostals and Charismatics in many countries overcome as we unite together for new generations of European young people. We agree together that Europe needs a deep, spiritual renewal and we are committed to working together toward this.”
Billy Wilson, Executive Director for Empowered21 and co-chair of the Global Council was in attendance at the Budapest summit. Wilson said: “This meeting was history making. As Spirit-filled Christians we can do more together than we can apart. Our prayers are that Europe will witness a new spiritual reformation and that new generations will personally embrace the power of the Holy Spirit”.
The Leadership Summit also addressed several other significant issues facing Spirit-empowered believers in today’s Europe as well as re-affirming the Empowered21 mission and purposes for Europe. The Summit was being held at the same time the recent Israeli/Gaza conflict was taking place. Participants in the Summit made a strong stand together for Israel’s right of self-defense and prayed together for the peace of Jerusalem. Concern was also offered for all Christians who were suffering in the Middle East because of this and other conflicts.
Plans call for the next meeting of the Council in Lucerne, Switzerland in March and an all-European Spirit-empowered Congress in 2014.
If you would like to affirm your agreement with the Empowered21 European Leadership Summit Resolution you may visit www.empowered21.com/europe [1].
Further information can be obtained by contacting Daniel Costanza (danielcostanza@yahoo.ca), Michael Patkai (michael.patkai@towerbudapest.com), or Robin Cole (rcole@empowered21.com)
Leadership
The Empowered21 Europe Cabinet and Council Attendees includes: Ingolf Ellsel (Pentecostal European Fellowship, Germany), Co-Chair, Sándor Németh (Faith Church, Hungary), Co-Chair, Frederick Ankai-Taylor(Church of the Risen Christ, Ukraine), Palmer Appiah-Gyan (Pentecostal Churches, Germany) John Ceuta (Assemblies of God, Romania), Anne Christiansen (Jesus Church,Norway), Daniel Costanza (Pentecostal European Fellowship, Belgium), Ulf Ekman (Word of Life, Sweden), Ruben Holmgreen Falk (Pinsekirken Bornholm, Denmark) Sándor Fodor (Faith Church, Romania), Jens Garnfeld (KBC,Denmark), John Glass (United Kingdom), Eduard Grabovenko (Russian Evangelical Church of Christians, Russia), Arto Hamalainen(Pentecostal European Mission, Finland), Radomir Hasa, (Faith Church, Czech Republic), Edwin Jung (Austrian Pentecostal Movement, Austria), Doosan Laches (Church Arch, Slovakia), Jan Laches, (Apostolic Church Slovakia), Jerry Lillard (Church of God, Czech Republic), Daniel Lucero (Foursquare International Missions, France), Marcus Marsh (Every Nation, Austria), Martin Mabuchi (Church of Faith, Czech Republic), Werner Nachtigal (No Limit Ministries, Germany), Nick Park (Solid Rock Church of God, Ireland), Albert Pataky (Hungarian Pentecostal Church), Francis Pfister (Eglise Ap, France), Imre Pintér, (Hungarian Pentecostal Church, Hungary), Mark Pugh (Elim Pentecostal Churches, United Kingdom), Miroslav Radovanovic (Church of God, Serbia), Rick Renner (Moscow Good News Church, Russia), Max Schlaepfer (Pentecostal Assemblies, Switzerland), Paul Schmigdall (European Theological Seminary, Germany), Viktor Sergeyev (New Generation Church, Ukraine), Adrian Sestak (Milost Church, Slovakia), Damir Sicko Alic (Word of Life, Croatia), Bretislav Sipek (Christ for all Nations, Germany), Miroslav Toth (Apostolic Church, Slovakia), Nicolay Zalutsky (Church of Evangelical Christians, Russia), Billy Wilson ( Empowered21, Global Office).
(Source: Center for Spiritual Renewal)