Celebrating Pentecost Sunday

Empowered21, led by Billy Wilson, is committed to seeing new generations experience the power and presence of the living God by providing resources and encouraging ministry leaders to preach and teach on the Holy Spirit during the weeks leading up to Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013.

They’ve outlined a few simple ways we can proclaim the transforming power of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost 2013:

1. Ask pastors to simply preach and teach on the Holy Spirit during Pentecost weekend and invite new generations to experience Him. This will help new generations embrace the Holy Spirit in a personal way. 

2.  Register for the global initiative of Empowered21. Many denominations are calling their whole constituencies to participate. As of this moment there official registrations at www.pentecostsunday.tv from 81 nations with thousands of congregations engaged. Participation is up exponentially over last year (300 percent in signups and 1000 percent in web traffic, etc.) 

3. Celebrate. Hold national celebrations, city-wide meetings and local church festivities, and have prayer and fasting days before Pentecost or even 10 nights of revival preceding Pentecost Sunday. Pastors are requested to sign up and can also obtain numerous free resources when they do. 

Asia is celebrating Pentecost week during the Empowered21 Asia Congress being held this week in Jakarta, Indonesia. Approximately 10,000 people are attending the Congress from 43 different nations. Despite increased persecution and pressure on the church across Asia, the Congress is still blessed to have hundreds of delegates from places like Vietnam and mainland China. A special focus of this Congress is on the next generation of leaders, with a large portion of the Congress being below 30 years of age. 

The Asian Congress will conclude on Friday night, May 17, in time for the pastors to return to their homes on Saturday and minister on the Holy Spirit on Sunday. 

Next year during Pentecost Week 2014, a global celebration of the Holy Spirit is being planned, with each of the 12 global regions that presently have Empowered21 leadership teams holding a dynamic celebration. 

Then in 2015, Empowered21 is calling the Spirit-empowered movement to unite in Jerusalem, Israel, for the next Global Congress during Pentecost week, May 18-24, 2015. 

Below are some quotes from the Empowered21 Asia Congress:

Billy Wilson, Empowered21 executive director and president-elect of Oral Roberts University: “More people live in Asia than in all other parts of the world put together. This Congress is positioning new generations to reach an exploding harvest for Christ. It is exciting to see people experiencing the power of Pentecost during this exciting week. The Asian Congress is leading the way into a massive response from around the world during Pentecost 2013. I am believing at least 1 million people will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit this weekend as we celebrate Pentecost 2013.”

Prince Guneratnam, chairman of the World Pentecostal Fellowship: “This second Asia Empowered21 conference proves the vision God gave Empowered21 is bearing fruits. The Asian Christians are serious about the Great Commission and their need to depend on the Holy Spirit.”

Pastor Niko Njotorahardjo, co-chair of Empowered21 Asia and mega-church pastor in Jakarta: “This Empowered21 to me is the declaration of the third Pentecost.”

Ron Luce, president and founder of Teen Mania: “Hundreds of millions of youth all across Asia are yet to be touched by the reality of God’s presence. E21 Asia is motivating and equipping leaders from all over Asia to capture their hearts for Christ while they are young and open towards God.”

Wayne Hilsden, pastor of King of Kings Community, Jerusalem, Israel: “The vision of Empowered 21 Asia is to ‘fan the flame of the Spirit and fire up a generation.’ The number of teens and young adults has increased at this second Empowered21 Asia Congress. I sense a heightened level of expectation. Momentum is building. The future of the church is bright. Empowered21 is not a ‘bless me’ club event. Nor is it an attempt to conjure up past glory. Empowered21 Asia is a launching pad to send Spirit-filled, Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered messengers with the gospel of the kingdom bringing transformation to Asia and beyond.”

Billy Wilson is executive director of International Center for Spiritual Renewal and the co-chair of the Empowered21 Global Council.