Notes and Thoughts from Empowered 21 - Day 2

By Charles Scott

The Thursday night, April 8, service featured a message from Timothy Ross, the young adult pastor of the Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas. Timothy openly shared his personal testimony, but in a way that exalted the Savior instead of glorifying sin. How inspiring! People need to hear not just Timothy's message, but also the method he used. He never used gory, gutter-like, foul or slang language to talk about his past. Instead of dwelling on the sin, he focused on the power of Jesus to deliver. It was a classic message. [This entire service is currently available on streamingfaith.com.]

At 7:00 am Wayman Ming and I joined Karl Hargestam and the Swedish Pentecostal Bishop, Pelle Hornmark for a breakfast fellowship. It was a delight to converse on the various challenges and victories that face our sister churches. Pelle is an anointed leader of vision, dedicated to seeing reformation in the Swedish churches. Primarily, they face the threats of secularism and post-modernism. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for the Swedish Pentecostal Church and the PCG!

At 9:00 am we convened in the general session. Dr. Mark Rutland, of Oral Roberts University, presented honorary awards to many Pentecostal spiritual mothers and fathers. It was so wonderful to give gratitude to those who paid such a price so that we can stand on their shoulders and reach further into the glory of God. Dr. Rutland’s message was a masterpiece; each of you would be blessed to obtain a copy. [This entire service is also available on streamingfaith.com].

These highlights stood out to me:

• “What does power mean? Power means something different based on the context.” When Jesus spoke about power he spoke in relation to the Kingdom of God and Jesus spoke in the language of the Kingdom not in the language of man.”
• “What is the language of God? God speaks in God, not Hebrew or English; God speaks God. When spoke in God, man had no clue of what He was saying.”
• “We face a challenge in preaching because we are dirt talking to dirt about God.”
• “Jesus does not give us power to whack people; Jesus gives us power to serve people.”
• “The power of God is power to love, serve, give and die for the Kingdom.”

Many of the PCG family here joined for lunch at Zito’s Italian Restaurant. Robert Stearns, our dear PCG friend of Eagle’s Wings Ministries along with Jerry Dearman, pastor in Anaheim, California, Tom Bellatti, a theology professor at ORU and our new Swedish friends were our special guests. Professor Bellatti shared with the group how he heard Chaplain Lemuel Boyles present the PCG chaplain program and was so impressed with Chaplain Boyles that he wanted to know more about the PCG!

I missed the afternoon sessions due to my wife and daughter departing to St. Louis for the Girls’ Conference, but it was good to have some time together before they had to leave for this other ministry opportunity.

Five of our six PCG assistant generals are here enjoying the congress. Their personal reports will flow back to respective divisions and districts. Our MC students and staff have been blessed; hopefully they can share soon from their perspective. It is great to let our leaders, students and the PCG see the activity of the Holy Spirit around the world.

Tonight will be Holy Spirit-infused with Ron Luce, Lou Ingle and Jentezen Franklin as the keynote speakers.

And tomorrow... no early morning breakfast meetings(!).

In the first general session, Jack Hayford will speak on Empowering New Generations. Watch it online at www.empowered21.com starting at 9:00 AM CDT.