Privileged!

This month I was privileged to attend the Centennial Celebration, marking the 100^th birthday of the Assemblies of God movement.  At their founding meeting in 1914, 300 ministers gathered in Hot Springs Arkansas.  They were men and women filled with love for the Lord Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  

We stand in front of the picture of that first group of 300 who committed themselves to the “greatest evangelism the world had ever seen.”  (left) Dan Campbell, an MK and former missionary to Argentina, now District Missions Director for Southern California.  He also served as the excellent interpreter for the Saturday night speaker, International Evangelist Jason Fren, (right).

Now, 100 years later, we have grown to more than 65 million believers in over 200 countries worldwide!  Yet there are so many more to reach!  If 300 Spirit filled men and women can launch a movement of this magnitude, what can 65 million do in the coming century if Jesus should delay His coming?!

I actually attended three back to back events in Springfield, Missouri in August:  

1. The Church Planting Summit held at Central Assembly, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Do you see the "hand writing on the wall?"  A young lady artist, Audrey Deford, on the right side of the platform painted a large picture during the sessions.

2.  The Sunday morning service at Central Assembly.  The Koreans brought their awesome choir. 

3. The Centennial Celebration was held in the JQH Arena Thursday through Sunday PM.  The messages at all the many sessions during the days and in the evenings were powerful, inspiring and challenging.

One of the enjoyable side benefits for me was to meet up with friends from the distant past from many locations in the world… and to meet for the first time brothers and sisters of all ethnic backgrounds and languages.  I have so many pictures of my joyous encounters that I cannot begin to include them all. 

I was delighted to see Adelita Garza who was one of the inspiring speakers in the Church Planting Summit.  Adelita had visited Argentina when she a teen-age girl and had ministered with Frances and me at our island church.  We often had wondered what had become of this beautiful, dynamic young lady.  She has, as a single girl, planted a successful church in Los Angeles area! That’s what!

Silvia Serantes, a pastor’s wife from Argentina, stands with a group of ladies from Togo, West Africa.  Aren’t they beautiful?!

My good friends, Missionaries Paul and Betty Brannan picked me up at the airport and later brought their daughters, Vickie and Dara. They started in missions along with us in 1963. 

Thomas Trask, former AG national superintendent, and Enrique Strohschein, the President of our Assemblies of God in Argentina.

Missionaries Ron and Carolyn Hittenberger.  In 1953 Ron became my friend at Southern California Bible College, now Vanguard University.

Myrna Sue Wilkins, retired after serving 40 years as a missionary in Venezuela and Colombia.  Today she volunteers full-time, 40 hours a week at Global University, correcting lessons and corresponding with spiritual counsel and encouragement daily to her more than 500 Spanish speaking disciples held behind bars in the USA!  Now that is dedication!

I encourage you to watch and listen to some of the messages available at http://100.ag.org/watch-now/archive/.  

And I double-dare you to watch and listen to Dick Brogden’s 48 minute message (same internet address) from the final Sunday night service!  His prophetic words shocked many of us to the core.  His challenge to step out of our comfort and into the jaws of persecution, hardship and martyrdom to touch unreached people groups with the message of Christ, literally stunned me and drove me crashing to my knees.  It may make you angry, but I feel every AG pastor and lay leader should hear the heartbeat of this brother.  Don't miss this message!  

Ralph