From the Pastor's Desk

About a century ago the Holy Spirit was rediscovered. The birth of the Pentecostal Movement at the beginning of the 20th century focused attention on an aspect of theology long neglected. About 50 years later the appearance of the Charismatic Movement spurred a new resurgence of interest in the Spirit. A century ago only a handful of people could be identified as Pentecostals. Now over half a billion people around the world belong to the Pentecostal-Charismatic community, more than 1 in 4 of the world's Christians. The dynamic that produced this phenomenal growth is the rediscovery of the work of the Holy Spirit.

The critical element to the life and growth of the Christian church has been and remains, the presence and power of the Spirit. In many quarters, the church has grown ashamed of the Spirit. Some spiritual leaders act as if we have outgrown the move of God They have decided this generation is not worth the same supernatural encounter we had as youth. Relegating the passionate to the back rooms and back rows means a slow death. The Holy Spirit has been fired from many churches. Many people are more impressed with lighting, stage, set, and sound than with anointing and encounter. Will the church rehire the Holy Spirit?

I personally am praying for the wind to blow again. I hope you are, too. "The promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:39).

Pastors Mark and Jennifer