The World Is Coming

April 2, 2000:News:Pentecostal Evangel-Missions World Edition

They are coming from everywhere – Nigeria, Japan, Costa Rica, India, Spain and more than a hundred other countries. Thousands of delegates from around the world will join the U.S. Assemblies of God at the third triennial World Assemblies of God Congress and 2000 Celebration in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 7-10, 2000. This marks the first time the United States has hosted the World Assemblies of God Fellowship (WAGF).

World Assemblies of God Congress

The WAGF formed in 1988 when J. Philip Hogan, then Foreign Missions executive director, invited general superintendents from 40 nations to gather in Springfield, Missouri. Discussion centered on active cooperation in world evangelism, with a special emphasis on the Decade of Harvest. Philip Hogan was elected as the first chairman of the world fellowship. He served until 1992, when Dr. David Yonggi Cho, pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea, succeeded him. Dr. Cho continues to lead the WAGF today.

The WAGF represents the united efforts of Assemblies of God fellowships worldwide to encourage partnership in missions. It also provides non-legislative means of consultation and cooperation among member churches, and advances biblical, theological and moral standards. The WAGF has spoken with a united voice against persecution of the church. On occasion, members of the Fellowship have sent letters protesting atrocities suffered by believers. Also, through the World Assemblies of God Relief and Development Agency (WAGRA), a number of countries have received funds to help clothe and feed refugees, or for assistance during famines and other natural disasters.

"It is really difficult to mentally grasp the magnitude of what God has done in the world through this Fellowship," says John Bueno, Assemblies of God Foreign Missions executive director. "I believe at the World Congress and 2000 Celebration we will experience a greater understanding of how far the Lord has brought us … and, more important, where He is leading us in the future."

The first meeting of the World Assemblies of God Congress convened September 29 through October 3, 1994, in Seoul. Gathering under the theme, "Pentecost Now!," delegates and visitors from 134 nations filled the 25,000-seat sanctuary of Yoido Full Gospel Church for congress sessions.

In the opening rally, the names of 134 nations were announced and their flags presented during a parade of nations. General superintendents from the respective nations carried most of the flags. "It is a dream come true," exclaimed Dr. Cho as he watched the procession.

"What a stirring experience it was to see the evidence of 80 years of missionary endeavor," states Loren Triplett, who succeeded Hogan as Foreign Missions executive director in 1990.

A highlight was a rally in Yoido Plaza where more than 1 million believers united in prayer. In North America, thousands more participated in the Seoul prayer meeting via satellite link that carried the event to congregations across the United States and Canada.

The second triennial World Assemblies of God Congress was held in São Paulo, Brazil, in September 1997. As in Seoul, more than 100 national church leaders and delegates gathered to conduct business of the WAGF.

About 30,000 people filled two stadiums to attend the evening rallies that were punctuated by dynamic praise and worship. Some sessions were televised across Brazil.

Congress activities culminated with another massive 1-million people-plus prayer rally. Delegates left the congress with a sense of God’s power at work throughout the world and a heightened sense of commitment to gather the harvest while we can.

Leaders and laypersons from around the world are coming to this year’s World Congress and 2000 Celebration with a strong sense of purpose and destiny for the church’s task in the 21st century. Discussion will center on working together in the vast harvest fields and planting the gospel in difficult places. Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn what God is doing worldwide, and sense the need to keep at the task of harvest.

"There is an urgency for the worldwide Assemblies of God family to come together to hear from God," states General Superintendent Trask. "The Great Commission has not yet been fulfilled. It is imperative that we get a fresh touch from God."

Executive Director Bueno says, "The U.S. Assemblies of God has cast its bread on the waters … and the blessing is returning to us many times over. When we gather together in Indianapolis with brothers and sisters from more than 100 fraternal Assemblies of God fellowships overseas, I pray we will experience a powerful visitation of the Holy Spirit."

2000 Celebration

Events of the 2000 Celebration will begin on Tuesday evening, August 8, with a mass Parade of Nations with some 3,000 participants from around the world. Marching with them will be a large contingent of both home and foreign missionaries. Following the parade will be the presentation of the musical drama, Touch Felt ’Round the World. This presentation is based on the true story of a family touched by the Azusa Street revival and the ministry of William Seymour, the African-American minister who played a pivotal role in the worldwide Pentecostal revival at the turn of the 20th century.

"Massive choirs and instrumentalists will lift our hearts in praise," says Assemblies of God General Secretary George O. Wood. "Dynamic speakers from around the world will share what God is doing within their continents, their countries and their cities."

"U.S. believers will not want to miss these meetings," states Charles Crabtree, assistant general superintendent. "The World Congress will be an exciting time as we gather for the greatest home and foreign missions rally in the history of the U.S. Assemblies of God."

A highlight on Wednesday morning will be the World Prayer Meeting. Participants will join in a Concert of Prayer involving representatives from the five major regions of the world and the US Dr. David Yonggi Cho will address the gathering.

In the afternoon and evening gatherings, participants will hear powerful testimonies from several speakers, including Marion Lim, a pastor from Singapore; Hector Hunter, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Cuba; Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi general superintendent; David Mohan, pastor from Madras, India; Peter Kuzmic of Croatia, and others. "We talk about the day of miracles. That day has not passed. Miracles are still happening, and we will hear about them," General Superintendent Trask says.

Thursday morning and afternoon will feature workshop sessions, teaching on key doctrinal issues, and testimonies. The celebration will conclude with a Celebration of Hope rally under the leadership of Superintendent Trask and John Bueno. At the conclusion, participants will have the opportunity to be anointed with oil and receive specific prayer.

"My prayer is that this will be more than a time of celebration, but of visitation from God Almighty," states Thomas Trask. "If we will avail ourselves of His power, throw ourselves upon His mercy and say, ‘God, do it again!’ He will make it happen."

The US Assemblies of God missionary force has established more than 100 autonomous Assemblies of God fellowships overseas during the past 86 years. Most of those have experienced exponential growth in the past decade. John Bueno says "as leaders from abroad gather together with us in this unprecedented event, I am fully confident that every one of us from the United States who attend, will have our hearts challenged and our faith and vision enlarged."

By John Maempa, special assistant for 2000 Celebration.

Reprinted by permission of the Pentecostal Evangel