Denominational Youth Ministry Executives Meet for Empowered21 Conversation
Dallas, TX – In an effort to dialogue about the new realities of the 21st century and how the Church can engage the next generation more effectively, Empowered21 (www.empowered21.com) recently conducted their first follow up conversation in Dallas, Texas with 12 Spirit-Empowered denominational youth executives from around the country.
The latest statistics on Pentecostalism reveal that there are over 640 million Pentecostals and Charismatics worldwide. Jay Mooney, National Youth Director for Assemblies of God National Youth Ministries, said, “The Empowered21 Youth Ministry Executive’s Conversation was fantastic! It was Spirit-filled iron sharpening iron and the conversation sparked motivation, creativity, insight and faith for the future. The world is ready for a Spirit-Empowered movement of students. The next generation is poised for Christ’s cause. They want more than to be ministered to. They want to be empowered to do ministry. With our leading investment and the Spirit’s empowerment upon the next generation, an unprecedented impact is on the horizon for this world.”
Billy Wilson, Chair of Empowered21 and Executive Director of the International Center for Spiritual Renewal, said, “As far as we know, this is the first time for youth ministry executives of the historic Spirit-Empowered denominations to come together in this way. Together, the generations of the Spirit-filled movement can witness a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will propel us to finish the task of world evangelization in our generation. It was exciting and enlightening to have these leaders who are on the front lines of ministry with new generations engage in this conversation.”
The Spirit-Empowered denominational youth executives gathered to look towards the future of this dynamic phenomenon – the fastest growing Christian movement in the world. Numerous areas of ministry emphasis were addressed over the two days. Conversation time was given to trends among today’s youth, youth ministry practices that are proving effective, intergenerational efforts in each movement, the Holy Spirit among new generations, resources that are presently needed and how Empowered21 can best serve each denomination in the future.
Kelly Fellows, National NextGen Minister of The Foursquare Church, said, “It truly is a good thing for us to dwell in unity (Psalm 133:1). This was my experience as I met and conversed with NextGen ministers from various Spirit-Filled denominations. As we sought the mind of Christ for the next generation, it quickly became obvious that the Holy Spirit is drawing youth to deeper experiences throughout the world. I am honored to be a part of this ‘unified’ group of diverse leaders who have a heart to see God’s Holy Spirit impact the next generation.”
During the last year and a half, conversation events with groups of Christian leaders, scholars and next gens have taken place around the world with over 530 people from 54 different nations. The major thrust has been a focus on the future of Spirit-Empowered Christianity and how to engage new generations for Christ. The culmination of these global conversations was the Empowered21 Congress, a historic event that intersected nations, cultures, and generations, which took place this past April in Tulsa, OK.
The next conversation for the Spirit-Empowered denominational youth executives is scheduled to take place February 10-11, 2011.
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TO BOOK an INTERVIEW or SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT with BILLY WILSON contact Matti Stevenson-Botero • 719.360.0586 • mattibotero@me.com
