ORU’s Empowered21 Makes History With Japan Conference
The first Empowered21 Asia Convention is underway in Kyoto, Japan, at the Kyoto International Convention Center. More than 3,000 Spirit-empowered believers of all ages from across Japan, Asia and the world converged in the ancient capital of Japan for worship, prayer and teaching.
The conference started Friday and continues through Monday. Portions of the conference can be viewed at ustream.tv/channel/
“As one of the largest gatherings of Christians in Japan, this is a historic meeting for the Spirit-empowered believers in the nation,” says Empowered21 Global Chairman and Oral Roberts University President Billy Wilson. “I have been impressed with a deep sense that the Christians in Japan are earnestly seeking the power of the Holy Spirit, and I believe this conference could be a catalyst for revival in the nation.”
A consistent theme throughout the conference has been the call for change and revival in Japan. There has been great cooperation between Spirit-empowered and evangelical Christians to reach more people in Japan with the gospel, especially in the wake of the tsunami that devastated the nation in 2011. Another historical note for Christians is that Kyoto shares a name with Jerusalem—they both mean “city of peace.”
Empowered21 (E21) aims to help shape the future of the global Spirit-empowered movement throughout the world by focusing on crucial issues facing the movement and connecting generations for intergenerational blessing and impartation. The organization’s vision is that every person on earth would have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033.
The Empowered21 Asia Convention has been coordinated by the Empowered21 Asian cabinet. Speakers for this four-day conference include Paul (Kiichi) Ariga, president of the All Japan Revival Mission; Geron Davis, musician and composer at Christ Church Choir; Djohan Handojo, senior pastor of Bethany Church Singapore and E21 Asia delegate; Makoto Hosoi, chairman of Assemblies of God Japan and senior pastor of Cathedral of Praise; Elmer Inafuku, senior pastor of Shinjuku Shalom Church; Anne Gimenez, senior pastor of the Rock Church and presiding bishop of the Rock Ministerial Fellowship; Lawrence Khong, senior pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church in Singapore and E21 Asia co-chairman; Akihiro Mizuno, chairman of E21 All Japan; Yoshinobu Murakami, co-chairman of E21 All Japan; Niko Njotorahardjo, senior pastor of GBI Jl Gatot Subroto in Indonesia and E21 Asia chairman; Tsugumichi Ohkawa, senior pastor of Yamato Calvary Chapel; Minoru Okuyama, president of Missionary Training Center; Dan Scott, senior pastor of Christ Church in Nashville, Tenn.; Akira Takimoto of All Japan Revival Mission; Caleb Wehrli, founder of Inspire International and E21 Asia delegate; and Wilson.
The next Empowered21 Global Congress is scheduled for May 18-24, 2015, in Jerusalem.
