Almost 4,000 Attend Opening of Empowered21 Global Congress in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM – Thousands of Spirit-empowered Christians from around the world are converging on Jerusalem this week for the Empowered21 Global Congress. The Congress, which is being held May 20-25, is a call to all believers from around the world to celebrate Pentecost in the land of Pentecost.
The historic gathering began Wednesday night with a grand opening celebration in Jerusalem in front of almost 4,000 attendees from more than 70 nations. Approximately 5,000 people from 65 countries viewed the opening session via live stream on www.empowered21.com. Millions more watched live through networks including GOD TV, TBN Australia and TBN Russia. They filled the Pais Arena to witness worship, pageantry and the Word of God. A global worship team led the crowd in amazing time of singing praise to the Lord. William M. Wilson, Empowered21 president and global co-chair and president of Oral Roberts University welcomed the crowd to the congress. Wayne Hilsden, pastor of King of Kings Community in Jerusalem, gave the opening message. Delivering the keynote address was George O. Wood, co-chair of Empowered21 and general superintendent of the Assemblies of God USA and the chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship.
“This was an amazing night as we saw the world enter into the Jerusalem Pais Arena! You can sense that the attendees are passionate about seeking a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I believe we will see great works of God this week,” said Wilson.
The event includes 130 noted leaders from the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement who will be speaking and teaching during the five-day event.
Thursday will feature two general sessions and focused tracks including: next gen trending, values and ministry, how to pray and intercede effectively, prophecy and the end times, scholars gathering and paper presentation, effective ministry, Spirit-empowered discipleship, exploring the land of Pentecost, signs, wonders and healing, business leadership God’s way, leading, planting and prospering the church today, happening now: the book of Acts, true religion: compassion, leading effective praise and worship, the creative path: creating and producing effective television media, “how shall we talk between cultures?,” the word of the hour, Israel and the church today, your sons and daughters and communicating the word: publishing, media and the arts.
On Friday, May 22, an outdoor worship event will be held in Manger Square in Bethlehem. This will be a time of praise, prayer and preaching focused on the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem.
There will be a special service on Saturday, May 23, at the Jordan River at the spot where it is believed that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. This part of the river also narrowly divides the nations of Israel and Jordan. Christians will gather on both sides of the river to pray and worship God together in unity.
Sunday, May 24, attendees will spend the day in continuous worship and prayer at several points around the city of Jerusalem including the King of Kings Community.
The Global Congress will end Sunday night in a full-throttle Pentecost celebration at the Pais Arena. Believers from around the world will unite to ask for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to reach the ends of the Earth. This event is the celebration of Shavuot, occurring the same day as Pentecost Sunday on the western calendar.
All general sessions can be seen live via www.empowered21.com. You can purchase downloads of any of the sessions at www.jerusalem2015audio.com.
About the Empowered21 Global Congress
The Jerusalem 2015 Global Congress is a call to all believers from around the world to celebrate Pentecost in the land of Pentecost. The event has attracted Spirit-empowered Christians from every continent to Jerusalem to unite in faith for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Join in the Celebration of Pentecost by watching video coverage of the Jerusalem 2015 Global Congress. View the livestream atjerusalem2015.com.
About Global Congress Partners
Jerusalem 2015 Global Congress Partners include Museum of the Bible, Charisma Media, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), Trinity Broadcasting Network, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Convoy of Hope, David C Cook, Integrity Music, My Healthy Church, 100 Huntley Street, Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, Bridges for Peace, Friends of Zion Heritage Center, GEB America, The Hayford Institute, OneHope, Oral Roberts University, Gateway Church, God TV, Jerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations, Voice of the Martyrs, Christ for the Nations Institute, Convoy of Hope, Kings School of Media, Sar-El Tours and Conferences, Aldelano, Evangel University, Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem, Faithful Central Bible Church, Vision for Israel and the Foursquare Church.
Empowered21 aims 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. Their vision 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. Get more information at www.empowered21.com. Empowered21 is a Kingdom initiative served by Oral Roberts University, www.oru.edu.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeremy Burton, Senior Director for University Relations – 918.495.6649 – [email protected]
Carissa Bratschun, Public Relations Specialist – 918.495.7337 – [email protected]
