Eight individuals who have made a mark on the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement over the last 50 years were honored as part of the Empowered 21 conference held earlier this month in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The purpose of the awards was to honor the men and women who, through their faith in God and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit, were responsible for introducing, nourishing, and promoting the Pentecostal Movement and the Charismatic Renewal.
“The 640 million Pentecostals and Charismatics in today’s world are the spiritual offspring of these ‘fathers and mothers’ who gave us what has become known as the Spirit Empowered Movement,” stated Rev. Billy Wilson, director of the Center for Spiritual Renewal. The honors were announced as part of the opening session of the E21 conference on April 8 and presented by Dr. Mark Rutland, president of Oral Roberts University, the host site for E21.
The first recognition was given in honor of Dennis Bennett who, 50 years ago this month, was credited with starting the modern-day Charismatic renewal. Accepting the award was Rita Bennett, Dennis Bennett’s widow.
Others recognized were Paul and Jan Crouch for founding Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). The award was received by Craig Nelson, TBN station manager in Tulsa; Freda Lindsay, with the award received by Dennis Lindsay, President of Christ for the Nations; Dr. T.L. Lowery, internationally-known evangelist and leader with the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee; Bishop Charles Mason, founder of the Church of God in Christ. Award accepted by Bishop J.W. Macklin, second assistant presiding bishop of the Church of God In Christ and bishop of the Glad Tidings Church in Hayward, California; Charles Parham, with the award received by his granddaughter Roberta Hromas; Ralph Wilkerson, founder of Melodyland Christian Centre in Anaheim, California; and Oral Roberts, internationally-known evangelist and founder of Oral Roberts University. Daughter Roberta Roberts Potts accepted the award on behalf of her late father who passed away late last year.