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A distinguishing phenomenon of the twentieth century is the growth of the Pentecostal movement which started at the turn of the century. It became one of the most exciting global movements in the history of the world. Over three decades ago, Pentecostal scholars Douglas Petersen, Byron Klaus, and Murray Dempster, decided to write a book that gave Pentecostal theologians the opportunity to speak for themselves, instead of allowing social scientists to define them. Called and Empowered: Global Mission in Pentecostal Perspective was a huge success when published in 1991, becoming a standard textbook in colleges and seminaries around the world.
(L-R) Murray Dempster, Byron Klaus, & Doug Petersen were each honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 from the Society for Pentecostal Studies.
Funded by Vanguard University of Southern California, the event focused on Global Pentecostalism. It was held during a period when social scientists, noticing the massive growth of Pentecostals worldwide, were offering fascinating analyses on why Pentecostalism was having an impact on societies in previously unconceived ways.
This event became a microcosm of Pentecostalism’s explosive growth in Latin America. It signalled the beginning of Pentecostals speaking for themselves about issues that impact all of Christianity. Special guests, such as Harvey Cox (Harvard University), Vinay Samuel (Oxford Centre of Mission Studies), and Jose Miguez Bonino (foremost Latin American Protestant theologian) interacted with presenters who came from around the world. The result of this event was a book entitled The Globalisation of Pentecostalism: A Religion Made to Travel that was published in 1999.
The vision was to create a catalysing event that would offer serious reflection on the opportunities and challenges facing the Church, as Global Christianity’s influence grows in the Majority World and recedes in the West. Partnering with a vibrant local congregation, City Harvest Church, Singapore, the inaugural event brought together seasoned Pentecostal leaders, from both the Majority World and the West to provide valuable perspective on why Majority Christianity is so vital to the continuing vibrancy of Global Christianity in the 21st century.
That event, held on 3-6 November 2023 in Singapore, was called the
Global Pentecostal Summit: Voices Loud and Clear.
to sustaining the Pentecostal vibrancy of Majority World Christianity, bridging the divide between academia and ministry, and creating a symphony of wisdom, knowledge, and action.
This presents the opportunity for theological presentations and transformative dialogue to resonate deeply within an active community of faith. The on-going affiliation allows both the significance of Pentecostal scholarship and vibrancy in Holy Spirit encounters are powerfully witnessed in each GPV event.
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