The New Song, by C. Peter Wagner
God's Visitation, by Dick Eastman
Revival in China, by Dennis Balcombe
Mission in India, by Paul Pilai
The River of God, by David Hogan
Harvest Now, by Robert McQuillan
Pensacola Revival, by Michael Brown, Becky Powers
Book Reviews: Building a Better World by Dave
Andrews; Surprised by the Power of the Spirit and Surprised by the
Voice of God by Jack Deere
Unprecedented evangelism and mission continue to accelerate around the world. No one can
keep up with the amazing accounts of this global harvest.
Similarly, the accounts of outpourings of the Holy Spirit with miracles, signs and wonders
increase. Often these cause huge numbers to respond in conversions to Christ.
Jesus said this would be so.
All the gospels and the book of Acts tell of the risen Lord's commission for our mission.
Each command concerning our mission in the world includes the promise of God's presence
and power essential to fulfilling our mission.
Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus emphasised that all authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to him, so we are to go and make disciples of all peoples (ethna - ethnic
groups, people groups). This includes baptising them and teaching them to obey everything
Jesus commanded. He is with us to the end of the age.
Mark 16:15-18. This controversial command includes going into all the world and preaching
the gospel to everyone. Signs accompanying that involve casting out demons in Jesus' name,
speaking in new tongues, protection from evil, and placing hands on the sick so they
recover.
Luke 24:46-49. Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in Jesus' name to all
people, and Jesus said he himself would send the Holy Spirit promised by the Father, sothe
disciples had to wait for that. And Luke tells how it happened in his second book - The
Acts.
John 20:21-23. As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us. He breathed on his disciples
and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' They did. So must we.
Acts 1:8. Jesus last promise and command was that his followers would receive power when
the Holy Spirit came on them, and they would be his witnesses to the ends of the earth..
This issue of the Renewal Journal tells a little of that continuing story.
Peter Wagner gives a brief global sweep of the massive prayer movement in the earth today
and describes some of its impact. Dick Eastman provides further examples of the current
astounding harvest in mission.
Dennis Balcombe reports on the growth of the church in China with the miracles
accompanying ministry there. Paul Pilai, a converted Hindu, tells of signs and wonders
accompanying mission among Hindu people in India. David Hogan describes the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit among Mexican mountain tribes.
Robert McQuillan surveys revival developments in Argentina as well as at Sunderland in
England and Pensacola in America, and Michael Brown summarises developments at Pensacola
where over 60,000 have indicated commitments to Christ within two years since June 1995.
The backdrop and context for much of these revivals include increasing violence, families
torn apart, death and moral decay worldwide. Sin abounds. However, grace abounds even
more. The light still shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot put it out.
Historically, great revivals and moves of God's Spirit have often broken through into dark
times. That still happens.
We can pray and believe for powerful moves of God's Spirit in our land, that thousands may
yet come to faith with lives and families transformed.
The nineties have proved to be a fascinating decade in the history of the church, and we
expect that the years ahead will see even more profound changes as the kingdom of God
breaks in upon us ever more fully.
© Renewal Journal #9: Mission
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