Empowered 2014

"he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being." Ephesians 3:16

In the early 1900‚'s there was a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit felt around the world. This was the beginning of the revival of the Pentecostal Movement. God moved in the heart of E. N. Bell to call together a broad coalition of ministers who desired to work together. Some 300 likeminded Pentecostals came with the desire to promote unity and doctrinal stability. They also desired to coordinate a mission sending plan and establish a ministerial training school.

This historic gathering was held April 2-12, 1914, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was during these meetings that the General Council of the Assemblies of God was formed and its first officers were chosen.

This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the official beginning of the Assemblies of God. Today, the Assemblies of God is one of the largest Pentecostal fellowships in the world. Current statistics reveal that there are more than 3 million adherents, over 12,300 local churches, over 33,600 ministers and almost 2,800 world missionaries in the United States. The World Assemblies of God Fellowship has now exceeded 66 million.

The Oregon Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God had its start in 1919, when the Northwest District Council of the Assemblies of God was officially organized. In 1937, the now Oregon Ministry Network, was formed with just over 90 churches in the state.

2014 brings us the opportunity to experience, as my friend Jim Cymbal suggests, a fresh wind and fresh fire in our personal lives and leadership. Here is what I‚'m believing God for in the coming months of this year.

1. A remarkable year growth in and through our network pastors & ministers.
2. A banner year for expansion for church revitalization & church planting.

I invite you to believe me that this will be the year that we see a fresh move of the Holy Spirit in our lives, love and leadership. This will be our focus all year long. By declaring it and believing for it, it will happen.

Welcome Holy Spirit! Welcome 2014!

"And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit." 1 Corinthians 2:4