Conversations on Spirit-empowered Christianity in the 21st Century were recently held in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico
Tulsa, Okla. – A sequence of conversations on the future of the Spirit Empowered Movement were held at the end of October with ministry and next generation leaders in Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. A total of 83 Spirit-empowered leaders gathered for these discussions—37 from nine Latin American nations in Costa Rica and 46 in Puerto Rico. The Costa Rica conversation was organized by Enlace. These conversations are shaping an international event to be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 8-10, 2010 called Empowered21: Global Congress on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century.
“Excitement continues to grow as we prepare for the Empowered 21 Global Congress next April,” said the Reverend Billy Wilson, who chairs Empowered21 and serves as the executive director of the International Center for Spiritual Renewal. “The Central American conversation was our 15th official conversation gathering in 10 months. We are encouraged by the insight, energy and wisdom leaders have shared with us around the world. If the young leaders present with us in Costa Rica are any indication, then the Latin American Spirit-filled revival will not only continue, but grow in new dimensions in the days ahead. These are exciting times for new generations in the Latin American church”
Since December 2008, Empowered21 (www.empowered21.com) has conducted 15 unique conversations with over 500 leaders, scholars and next gen leaders/students from 54 nations on five continents. Other E21 conversations have taken place in cities across America and in Nigeria, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Hong Kong, Germany and Chile.
These groups of extraordinary international Christian scholars, leaders and next gens are conversing, identifying trends and sharing emerging perspectives and insights on how the next generation will handle the deep issues facing Christians today. They are also providing inspiration for the future of the Spirit-empowered movement.
These conversations have included a leaders’ track chaired by Dr. Jack Hayford, former president of International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Los Angeles, California; a scholars’ track chaired by Dr. Vinson Synan, professor of church history and dean emeritus at Regent University School of Divinity; and a next generation track chaired by Rob Hoskins, president of OneHope and member of the Oral Roberts University Board of Trustees.
There are a number of anticipated outcomes from these conversations on Spirit empowerment and Empowered21. Questions and solutions for the future of the Spirit Empowered Movement will be identified. Increased effectiveness in reaching and engaging new generations will be achieved. Increased unity between traditional Pentecostals/Charismatics and emerging churches will be realized and the continued growth of Spirit-empowered ministries will be encouraged.
The early bird registration deadline has been extended for Empowered21 to December 1, 2009. Participants can register for $39 or a group of 4 or more can register for $29 per person. Online registration is available at www.empowered21.com/registration.php.
Participants at the Costa Rica conversation included Wilson, Gustavo Acuña of Iglesias Cristo Centro, Nilhs Acuñak of Igl. Gran Rebaño, Sigrid Acuña of Igl. Cristo Centro, Sylvia Alvarez of Guardianes del Muro, Francisco Aranda of Ministerio Internacional Kayros, Estrella Areas of Mision Santidad Pentecostal, Marco Argeñal, Ramon Barrera of Igl. Tabernaculo de Oración, Gerald Bogantes of Ministerio Sed de Dios, Maria Teresa Cabrera of Igl. Gran Rebaño, Ilya Carrera of Centro Cristiano Betania, Alejandro Castro of Igl. Comunidad Paz, Juanita Cercone of Enlace, Raynier Corea of Enlace Juvenil, Lucy Cosme of Igl Puerta de Bendición, Rebecca Gonzalez of Enlace, Mart Green of Mardel Christian and Education, Cristina Hasbun of Iglesia Cristiana Kemuel, Mirta Larios of Enlace Nicaragua, Roger Leon of Enlace, Jorge Lopez of Enlace Guatemala, Guyon Massey of Igl. Vida de Pacto, Juan Carlos Mansewich of Vision Internacional Queretaro, Guillermo Osorno of Enlace Nicaragua, Benjamin Payano of Enlace rep. Dominicana, Efren Ruiz of Centro Familiar Cristiano Aragon, Reynaldo Salazar of Fed. Alianza Evangelica Costarricense, Alberto Salcedo of Grupo Ekklesia Internacional, Sylvia Salcedo of Grupo Ekklesia Internacional, Leonel Soberanis, Hugo Solis of Centro Evangelistico Zapote, Ruth Solis of Centro Evangelistico Zapote, Luis Tovar of Centro de Alcance Mundial, and Sabaa Tovar of Centro de Alcance Mundial.
The conversation in Puerto Rico was hosted by Wanda Rolon of La Senda Antigua.
Empowered21 is being formed by the Commission on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century. The Commission is facilitated by the International Center for Spiritual Renewal in cooperation with Oral Roberts University. Empowered21 will be held April 8-10, 2010 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For more information on Empowered21 or the Commission on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century, go to www.empowered21.com [1].
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TO BOOK an INTERVIEW or SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT with BILLY WILSON contact
Matti Stevenson-Botero • 719.360.0586 • mattibotero@me.com