World Ready for a Second Pentecost Outpouring?

JERUSALEM, Israel - Could the world experience a second Pentecost? That's the hope of a global movement called Empowered 21, with organizers setting their sights on Jerusalem, where the first Pentecost took place.

Recently, Christian leaders came from around the world to Jerusalem to worship, pray, and plan for what they call E-21.

"It's amazing to see how many wonderful leaders God has raised up to partner with this goal of seeing every individual touched by a real encounter with the Holy Spirit by the year 2033. It's stunning," Bill Johnson, from Bethel Church, said.

Oral Roberts University President Billy Wilson, director of E-21, spoke at a recent event for global movement.

"Tonight we stand on history and we come to worship the King of Jerusalem who is our Lord Jesus," Wilson said.
 
"Our big, big vision is bigger than all of us. It comes out of that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. And the big vision is that every person on earth will have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033," he continued.

The first Pentecost recorded in the book of Acts took place on Mount Zion in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. During the next Pentecost, May 24, 2015, organizers of E-21 are inviting Christians from around the world to pray for a fresh Pentecost on a new generation.

"You know in Acts chapter 1:8 Jesus said after the Holy Spirit comes on you, you'll be my witnesses in Jerusalem first, Judea, sort of where we are right now, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. So the theme of the conference is to the ends of the earth," Wilson explained.

"We're calling on believers from around the world to converge back on Jerusalem to celebrate the Holy Spirit, to look at what it means to be Spirit-filled in the 21st century and to pray for a new generation to experience God," Wilson said.

As they prepare to pass the spiritual baton to a new generation, some leaders say they already see God at work.

"Thank God E-21 is doing transformation among the leaders in India. Unity has been the key," Al Hollingsworth said.

"I see Empowered 21 as the Body coming together again. So important. So necessary," Dr. Paul Dhinakaran predicted. "When brothers dwell together in unity, the Lord commands a blessing. And I believe the blessing of the end time is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit."

The leaders represent the spectrum of charistmatic and pentecostal groups.

"It's really end time stuff. I mean to have all these streams come together in the mountain of the Lord is, you know, something we dreamed of," Cindy Jacobs said.

Their next dream is Pentecost 2015.

"To experience a fresh Pentecost in our generation will be life changing so your life will never be the same if you come," Wilson promised.