Tonight, April 11, I returned home from “Empowered 21st Century.”  It took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma April 7 – 10, 2010.  Eight thousand people, half of whom were age 30 and under came together to celebrate their faith.  Oral Robert’s University hosted the event, and William Wilson from International Center for Spiritual Renewal was Chairman.  All University classes were closed so students could attend the numerous Workshops as well as morning and evening large gatherings.

The theme was Purity, Passion, and Purpose.  Six speakers from Mega Churches came from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and North America.

The Congress chose April, 2010 because it is the 50th Anniversary for those historic, charismatic churches who proclaim empowerment of the Holy Spirit today, and the 109th year of the beginning of the Pentecostal outpouring in Topeka, Kansas.

At this Tulsa conference, the Pentecostal denominations and the historic Charismatic denominations came together to join hands, integrate, and affirm one another.  My late husband, The Rev. Dennis J. Bennett, was honored with the  “Pioneer Award for Spiritual Trail – Blazing” that began 50 years ago, in Van Nuys, California.  I was asked to receive the honor for him in front of 8,000 cheering people! 

Mrs. Bobi Hromas, was asked to receive the honor on behalf of her grandfather Rev. Charles F. Parham for his “Trail Blazing” that began 109 years ago, at Topeka, Kansas.
Both trophies were presented to us by Mark Rutland, President of Oral Roberts University.

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION   
I presented a Learning Conversation along with a group of four other charismatic leaders in the Golden Update.  They were: Gary Moore Methodist, Larry Christensen Lutheran, Oreste Pesare Catholic, and Julia Duin Washington Times.
I shared a message about Dennis’ life and our international outreach ministry together for the 25 years of our marriage 1966 – 1991.

HISTORY
In the early church, 2000 years ago, it was common for Christians to believe in the supernatural gifts of the Spirit such as, healing, discernment, words of wisdom, and to expect them in their meetings.

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, this went on for quite a few centuries.  Eventually it began to fade.

Dennis began to personally re-discover these nine gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1960. He found that there was no place in the Bible that said they had passed away. If they were no longer available, he taught, it would be like christening a new ship with champagne and thinking after that, “No more fizz water and excitement is needed or wanted.”

In this metaphor, the Church is the ship, and the champagne is the power of the Holy Spirit and His imparted gifts. The Church today needs more power rather than less power!
The 9 Supernatural Gifts are:
•  REVELATON GIFTS (Knowing):
   1. A word of wisdom, 2. A word of knowledge, 3. Discerning of spirits.
•  POWER GIFTS (Doing):
   4. Gift of Faith, 5. Healing gifts, 6. Gift of Miracles.
•  VOCAL GIFTS (Speaking):
   7. Gift of Prophecy, 8. Gift of Spiritual tongues, and 9. Interpretation.
(Bennett, “The Holy Spirit and You,” Bridge-Logos).
WE NEED EMPOWERMENT

The “gifts” of the Spirit come from the Greek word “Charismata” and are listed in I Corinthians 12:7–11. Dennis said, “What is happening to people today when they receive the freedom of the Spirit is just the same as the first, except that now we understand much more about it.  The church is not primarily a preaching or teaching institution.  It must be charismatic.  It must manifest the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, for they are the continuing signs that Jesus is alive and ready to bless people now” (p. 56). 

Take some time to pray, “Come Holy Spirit… Reveal the supernatural gifts to me, as shown in the entire Bible. Empower me.”

For more on Bennett, see April articles in “Charisma” magazine: “Charismatic Renewal Marks 50 Years,” and “God’s Strength for this Generation.”