Report of the 19th Pentecostal World Conference
19th Pentecostal World Conference: Los Angeles, CA., May 29-31, 2001.
I went to my first Pentecostal World Conference in 1967. It was held in Rio de Janeiro, and the local churches in Brazil put a great deal of work into making that conference an occasion to long remember. I continued to attend PWC’s after that, and I traveled 2500 miles to Los Angeles at the end of May to take part in this year’s conference. The conferences are held every three years. Thousands of men and women God has raised up in the Pentecostal movement come together to celebrate what God has done, and to plan how to better bring the gospel in the power of the Spirit to the world.
The central point that God brought to me over and over during this year’s conference was that the Pentecostal church is a multicultural worldwide move of God. This movement is not focused on North America or the West, however that portion—my portion—of the world shares in the blessing that God has brought and is yet bringing. God is saving thousands of people every day in parts of the world that are often classified as “third world” countries. Pray for a similar Pentecostal outpouring in our land. I have seen what is happening below the equator, and we need that touch here where we live. I have watched people race to get to the altar first so that they could receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and not have to wait in a long line to receive this marvelous gift.
The conference combined workshops and plenary sessions, far too many to attend all that appealed to each of us that were there. These workshops were taught by leading men and women from all kinds of Pentecostal and charismatic backgrounds from many different cultures and nations. David Yonggi Cho was a presenter at two workshops. Other familiar presenters included Grant McClung, Wayne Cordeiro, David Petts, Adam Villarreal, Tommy Walker, Dick Eastman, Ed Silvoso, Vinson Synan, John Williams, Che Ahn, Jack Hayford, Roger Stronstad, Keith Phillips and more. I left with my bag filled with tapes from the conference that currently make my daily early morning walk something to anticipate.
I was fascinated by the teaching of Doug Oss who has built a vibrant Pentecostal congregation of 300 within eyeshot of the Mormon Temple in downtown Salt Lake City. His is a brilliant mind versed in the reality of the invisible. Suzette Hattingh, an associate evangelist with Reinhold Bonnke, spoke at a morning plenary session. I remember she digressed at one point in her talk and mentioned to the audience that Mr. and Mrs. Bonnke were the Godliest people she had ever known. Wow! Those words caught me. Do people who know you well, who work with you and for you, say this about you and your spouse? Think on that.
The conference had so many highlights that I could go on and on, but I must mention two memorable presentations before I close. Ken Ulmer, Pastor of Central Faithful Bible Church in Los Angeles taught that your theology of God will ultimately determine your theology of healing. He went on to expound on Christ’s passion for healing, something that touched all in attendance. I sat in awe as I listened to utter Spirit-led genius. Ulmer has a fertile mind and the vocabulary and brilliance to bring his anointed thoughts into the hearts of all who can hear his voice. His Central Faithful Bible Church has purchased the LA Forum, the arena where the basketball Lakers used to play. Can you imagine the influence of the Pentecostal church in this area of Los Angeles? Do you know what God is doing in our country? In the world? He is doing great things.
Later, I ended the conference by going on a tour with historians Mel Robeck, Anthea Butler and 100 others to the Bonnie Brae house where the Holy Spirit first fell on April 9, 1906. The Azusa Street Mission followed in a few days and today the message from that outpouring is changing the world. Some wonderful, loving, far sighted brothers and sisters of ours purchased this house several years ago, and then lead the effort to restore it so you and I can go there and remember where we started and stand in awe of Him to Whom we owe all. If you ever get to LA, go to the Bonnie Brae House and to Azusa Street. You will find that our God is there, waiting to humble you, touch you, love you and change you. And, surely, God is doing the same, right now, wherever hearts are yielded to Him—because God is doing wonderful things today. Pentecostalism has grown person by person to over 500,000,000 today and more, lots more, tomorrow.
The next PWC will be in Johannesburg in 2004. Just like this report, description of its events will demand overuse of the word “awe”. If you want to go, all you have to do is to ask your Heavenly Father. He can make the impossible happen, for Him it is an easy thing. I know from experience that God will bless you as you stand in awe of Him when we meet together from all over the world. Every three years we will meet until He comes and then we will be together forever.
Originally published on the Pneuma Foundation (parent organization of PneumaReview.com) website.
