Just ahead of Pentecost Sunday, thousands of believers from around the world gathered in Singapore for Empowered21, seeking to "encounter the Holy Spirit and prepare to take Asia for Christ."
On Wednesday, over 7,200 delegates from 258 churches and 49 countries united for praise and worship at the EXPO Convention Center in Singapore for Empowered21 Asia Regional Congress, themed "Wind & Fire".
In his opening remarks, E21 Global Co-chair and Oral Roberts University President Dr. William M. Wilson reminded audiences of the organization's mission: To see every person on earth have an authentic encounter with the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033.
Dr. Wilson also inspired the delegates to release "the wind of the Spirit, the fire of the Holy Ghost, and the next generation."
Earlier, he expressed a belief that the nations of Asia "continue to experience an Acts 1:8 outpouring of the Holy Spirit by modeling how prayer, praise, and unity yield opportunity for new generations to experience a fresh outpouring of God's presence."
Niko Njotorahardjo, who serves as co-chair of the Asia Congress, told audiences that Asia is ripe for revival, as China is on pace to become the "world's most Christian nation" by 2030: "This region of the world is filled with spiritual opportunity," he said. "We are gathered together in unity to encounter the Holy Spirit and prepare to take Asia for Christ!"
Empowered21, a Kingdom initiative served by ORU, seeks 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.
According to a press release made available to The Gospel Herald, Empowered21 opened Wednesday evening, May 31, and will conclude on June 2. Each session and service will give focus to the celebration of the Holy Spirit during this week of Pentecost, and will feature Spirit‐empowered speakers and worship leaders from the 45 Asian nations.
"This is the work of the Holy Spirit," said Bill Johnson, Senior Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA and a member of the Global Council. "Authority comes in the commission. We want them (young leaders) to take risks; we celebrate that. Even though there is a certain level of failure, we try to create a safe setting where they can hear from the Lord before sending them out."
Throughout the week, participants will hear from more world‐renowned, Spirit‐empowered father‐son and father‐daughter teams including Dennis Balcombe and Sharon Balcombe‐Lau, founder and pastor of Hong Kong's Revival Chinese Church; Lee Seung Bang and Esther Lee, senior pastor and youth pastor of South Korea's All Nations Church; César and Sara Castellanos, founding pastor and youth pastor of Colombia's International Charismatic Mission; Niko and Billy Njotorahardjo, senior pastor and pastor of Indonesia's GBI Gatot Subroto; Rick and Jeremy Seaward, apostolic overseer and lead pastor of Singapore's Victory Family Centre; Colton and Dishan Wickramaratne, founding pastor and senior pastor of Sri Lanka's People's Church. Other speakers include Wilson, Daniel Kolenda, president of Christ for All Nations, and Wayne Hilsden, co‐Founder and president of Israel's King of Kings Community.
For additional information visit http://www.empowered21asia.com.
