The city of Amsterdam is abuzz with excitement as thousands of Christian leaders from around the world have gathered for the highly anticipated Amsterdam2023 global conference. This monumental event aims to herald a new era of evangelism, igniting a passion to share the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ with every person on earth.
As the Empowered21 (E21) Global Council convened, work groups such as the Global Evangelist Alliance (GEA), Global Prayer Alliance and NextGen Network came together to develop strategic plans, driven by the Great Commission’s call.
In a landmark moment, “Global Network of Spirit-Empowered Scholars” was launched under the capable leadership of Dr. Wonsuk Ma and Opoku Onyinah as co-chairs. This prestigious group of scholars embarks on a journey of scholar consultation, resource development and the publication of books aimed at deepening understanding of the Spirit-Empowered movement.
They are also committed to rigorous academic research, shedding light on the movement’s history and achievements. One of their first efforts is the creation of a comprehensive compendium, encompassing over 130 plenaries and workshop sessions from the Amsterdam2023 conference. Within 24 hours of its launch, more than 160 scholars from around the globe have already registered, demonstrating the resounding support and interest in this groundbreaking initiative.
Oral Roberts University’s Center for Spirit-Empowered Research will serve as the host for this network, with Dr. Ma at the helm as the director. Dr. Billy Wilson, President of ORU and Empowered21 Global Chair, expressed his joy and emphasized how the network brings to fruition the vision of Dr. Vinson Synan from the Society of Pentecostal Studies, who recognized the need for a practical theology to underpin the Spirit-Empowered movement.
This annual conference will serve as a hub for scholars worldwide to connect, engage in consultations, find fellowship and receive encouragement. The network also aims to build a deeper and broader knowledge base of the movement while enhancing its understanding and articulation to the world.
The Empowered21 Global Prayer Alliance, a key component of the conference, unveiled a crucial aspect of their EveryONE initiative. Believers from every corner of the world are encouraged to dedicate just five minutes each day to pray for five individuals by name who have not yet encountered the life-transforming message of Christ.
Director Brian Alarid shared the remarkable news that over 500 million people have already been lifted up in prayer through this collective effort. The alliance’s vision extends to ensure that every person on this planet will be prayed for by name by the year 2033.
In another significant development, the Global Council launched the Global Worship Alliance, placing renowned Australian worship leader Darlene Zschech as its chair. Dr. Wilson shared Zschech’s dream of uniting worship leaders from diverse backgrounds and cultures worldwide. Through this powerful initiative, they aspire to reclaim worship as a ministry for the kingdom, setting an example of excellence, integrity and familial unity within the worship industry.
An encouraging report highlighted the impact of the EveryONE Initiative Fund, which underwent a year-long “beta test” phase. During this time, the fund allocated two million dollars to support 56 evangelistic projects in 50 countries, resulting in nearly 500,000 individuals responding to the gospel message.
Ministries committed to innovative strategies in areas such as digital evangelism, church planting and mass evangelism are invited to apply for funding assistance through this initiative, which will officially launch at Amsterdam 2023. {eoa}
Shawn A. Akers is the online editor at Charisma Media.
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