Azusa Street East – January 3, 2007 –
Falcon, NC
A Continuing Move of the Spirit
Pentecost Tomorrow
Bishop
Gilmer's report on the Azusa St. East Celebration
At the 9:00 AM session, one to two hundred
individuals gathered to hear Dr. Hubert Carter, former General Superintendent
for the Pentecostal Free Will Baptist and present Dean of Academics for Heritage
Bible College. Dr Carter is a great orator and gentleman. He told us about the
history of the Pentecostal movement in Eastern North Carolina. His teaching
turned into preaching about Pentecost today and tomorrow. He ended with
Pentecostal church growth yesterday, today and tomorrow. At the 11:00 AM,
plenary session four to five hundred individuals were present to hear Dr. Mark
Rutland, President of Southeastern University. I will include some excerpts and
take liberties to add my interpretation:
Dr. Rutland has a unique method of
presentation. He mixes wit and humor with inspiration and anointing. His
background of Methodist, Church of God and now Assembly of God gives him
insight and liberties to use his wit and humor to refer to his ministerial
and Pentecostal experiences.
Pentecost did not begin 100 years ago at Azusa Street in Los Angeles, CA.
Pentecost did not begin at Dunn, NC. Pentecost does not belong to Azusa
Street, Springfield, Oklahoma City or Cleveland. The continuation of
Pentecost will see less ownership and exclusivity.
Dr. Rutland again reminded us that the Pentecostal church of tomorrow must
be a praying, sacrificing and sending church.
Tomorrow’s church cannot become distracted by fear of economics, terrorism
and the changing times and norms of societies. Our fear and trembling should
come from the knowledge and realization that God and chosen to give special
gifts to the church in order for the church to perform the supernatural and
glorify Him. We are the instruments and vessels that God has chosen to show
Himself through in these last days. God’s church will be triumphant.
The morning concluded with prayer around
the altar. Once again we were broken and convicted, inspired and empowered.
The 7:00 PM service saw about 2,000 gathered to conclude Azusa Street East with
a “Youth Emphasis Service.” I moderated the service, because I am the youngest
Administrative Bishop on the Steering Committee :>). Tony Sutherland is the
Children and Youth Praise and Worship Leader at Jentzen Franklin’s Free Chapel
in Gainesville, GA. Several hundred young people crowded around the stage area
for a time of joyful and youthful Praise and Worship. The Greater Vision, COGOP
choir and Praise Dancers led in anointed worship before Bishop William Wilson,
Voice of Salvation Minister and Director of Outreach for the Church of God and
Church of God of Prophecy came to the pulpit. I will include some excerpts and
take liberties to add my interpretation:
We have been praying, “Lord do it again.”
Tonight we pray, “Lord do it now. Work in us, work through us now.”
Pass it on – Succession. God gives every generation passing zones. Just as
in a relay race, there is a designated area in which the baton must be
passed. If the baton is not passed within the passing zone, the relay team
is disqualified.
John Wesley said that he was not afraid of the Methodist Church ceasing to
exist; he did fear that the church would become only a form of religion
unless the freshness of the first generation was passed on to each
succeeding generation.
The track or environment that Pentecostals now run is much different from
the track or environment of 1906 and 1907. Statistics were given concerning
the pressures that are facing today’s youth: the world wide web, porn,
drugs, MTV, Hollywood, homosexuality, cohabitation outside of marriage and
the acceptance of many outlandish norms of today's societies.
Our challenge is to minister to the world without becoming like the world.
Today's youth face a world of pluralism. They have to conquer religious
pluralism everyday in school, the media and their jobs. While this world
proclaims it does not matter what God that you believe in and call upon, the
Word of the Lord still proclaims there is only one true God and that every
knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.
Response to our spiritual fathers determines our destiny.
Response to our spiritual sons determines our legacy.
We are 100 years from Azusa Street and Azusa Street East. G. B. Cashwell
traveled from the East to the Azusa Street Revival in CA. He found a city
who was still recovering from a great earthquake and a poor group of people
on the wrong side of town. Yet history records that they were singing, “The
Comforter Has Come!”
Most of our spiritual fathers are no longer with us. The slumbering
Pentecostal church must awaken and pass the baton within the passing zone.
We are determined to finish the race without being disqualified.
This Pentecostal baton must continue to be a baton of the Word and the
Spirit. It is a baton of hope and purity.
The Holy Spirit initiates the ministry of the Church. The Holy Spirit equips
the Church for ministry.
We are not in the business of having church or of running the church. We are
in the business of building the Kingdom of God.
The story of Elijah and Elisha; Elisha received the mantle of Elijah. The
prophets witnessed that Elisha had the same anointing of Elijah. But Elisha
carried that mantle/anointing to his grave. He was willing and wanted to
pass the mantle to the next generation of prophets and kings, but because of
sin, compromise and lack of determination, he was not able to pass the
baton/mantel/anointing.
There is a supernatural passing zone given to each generation. Our
generation must not slow down or stop running. This coming of age generation
must be determined to stay under their spiritual covering. They must not
compromise their spiritual integrity. They must be determined to go all the
way and give their all.
Brother Wilson gave the altar call with a youth and young minister emphasis.
He asked for the denominational bishops and pastors to come forward to lay
hands on and pray for each hungry young person that was hungry for God.
Several hundred young people responded.
The result was a massive and dynamic time of prayer. After praying for more than
an hour and with several young people, I left after 11:00 PM. There were still
young people praying and seeking God.
Many “Spiritual Twins” touched each other this week and the Power of the Holy
Ghost was activated in our lives. We pray that we surely be that “fire brand”
for God to others who were not able to be with us.
We anxiously anticipate the next time we meet for fellowship, praise, worship,
inspiration and instruction.
Azusa Street East – January 2, 2007 –
Falcon, NC
At the 9:00 AM session, one to two hundred
individuals gathered to hear and learn more about G. B. Cashwell, the
“Pentecostal Firebrand of the South.” Dr. A. D. Beacham International
Missions Director for the International Pentecostal Holiness gave a
historical overview of the life and ministry of G. B. Cashwell.
At the 11:00 AM, plenary session two to three hundred individuals were
present to hear Bishop Fred S. Fisher, Sr, former General Overseer for the
Church of God of Prophecy spoke about the mission of God’s church today. I
will include some excerpts and take liberties to add my interpretation:
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
From the Upper Room experience to the Pentecost experience of the early
1900’s we have been carriers of the Pentecostal message. Jesus sent us out
to win souls and Pentecost empowered us for task of missions. .
Our forefathers were possessed with a divine passion to carry the message of
a risen Savior and to win souls for Christ.
Peter received the vision to go to Cornelius house and as he preached Christ
to them, they received the Holy Ghost just like the Jews had previously.
Somewhere our passion to take the message in the power and demonstration of
the spirit seems to have diminished. We no longer have the compelling desire
to go to Jerusalem, Judaea and the Samarias of our world. Our desire has
diminished to take the message to the house of Cornelius (those who are not
like us, our organization, our culture, our color, our language, and the
list continues).
To compound the situation and problem of the proclamation of Christ to the
New Testament church and we who are the continuation of the New Testament
church here in America, Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and the house of
Cornelius have come to us. We no longer have to travel to other nations to
take the gospel message and the message of Pentecost. America’s melting pot
has enabled the nations to become a part of the American culture.
Bishop Fisher gave statistics of the different nationalities in the United
States. He encouraged us to take the Gospel, live the Gospel to the
different cultures in our communities. He encouraged us allow the Holy
Spirit to fulfill Christ’s prayer for the unity of believers.
The morning service ended with rejoicing in singing, “The Comforter Has
Come,” and “Send The Light.”
The 7:00 PM service saw about 1,500 gathered to continue the celebration of
salvation and Pentecost. After a period of anointed singing and praise, Dr.
Paul Walker, Assistant General Overseer for the Church of God was
introduced. He began to expound from the scriptures without ever opening a
Bible or reading from notes. I read the referenced scriptures from my own
Bible until I could no longer keep up and simply began to soak in the Word
to my spirit. We wept. We rejoiced. We laughed. We clapped. We lifted our
hands. Then Dr. Walker began to speak his heart to pastors and the spirit of
the Lord gripped our hearts. He referenced his multiple years at the Mount
Paran Church of God in Atlanta. He told of the 12,000 members, 5 locations
and speaking 4 times each Sunday. He told of his failures, strikeouts,
victories and homeruns. Suddenly he asked us to stand and he led us in
singing, “Because He Lives,” and “In My Life Be Glorified.” He then asked
for all pastors to come to the altar. The entire front of the auditorium and
up every aisle was filled with several hundred weeping and seeking pastors.
More than one broken man of God fell into my arms as we wept and prayed
together. Words of direction, inspiration and wisdom were given and shared.
We departed in great fellowship and embracing. I observed E-mail addresses,
home addresses and phone numbers being exchanged by individuals who were
family – but strangers before the week began.
Sunday night seemed to be an evening of great expectation. Monday was a day
of high praise and worship. Tuesday has been a day of soaking in the Word of
God.
Don’t come to the Azusa Street East
Celebration without expecting to be consumed by the Holy Ghost fire and leave as
a tongue talking “fire brand” for God.
Azusa Street East – January 1, 2007 –
Falcon, NC
At the 9:00 AM session, two to three
hundred individuals gathered to hear and learn more about our Pentecostal
heritage. Dr. Harold Hunter, (a personal friend, former International Sunday
School Director for the Church of God of Prophecy,) Archives Director for the
International Pentecostal Holiness gave a historical overview of the Pentecostal
movements since the original Pentecost.
At the 11:00 AM, plenary session four to five hundred individuals were present
to hear Bishop Charles T. Crabtree, General Superintendent for the Assembly of
God spoke. I will include some excerpts and take liberties to add my
interpretation:
Bishop Crabtree reminded us that we continually face the extremes of
Pentecostalism and the stench of legalism from our past in some areas. Some of
us were miserably holy, but we want our people to be joyfully holy. We want to
make sure we have the core of Pentecost in focus.
Visiting our past today will determine where we will go tomorrow.
Our forefathers were praying people. Today too many are too hungry for what man
can produce instead of what God can produce.
Our forefathers were processed with the spirit of evangelism. Whole families
felt “called” into the ministry. Revivals started by simply going to the gas
station and witnessing to the attendant. We must have spirit-filled deliverance
today just as in our past.
Our forefathers were people of missions. They sacrificed to send others out to
share the mission of Christ; not just to other countries, but to other counties.
Acts 2:42-47, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every
soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that
believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to
house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God,
and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.”
They continued steadfastly in the Apostles fellowship and doctrine, and the Lord
added to the church daily (between Sundays.) The next great Pentecostal revival
must happen between Sundays or it will not happen at all. We are the portable
temples of the Living God. We must rise up in the Holy Ghost in order that we
may be effective in the everyday world. We must have the application of God’s
anointing and power in every day life; a powerful living relationship that
changes our vision and focus from a secular world to the physical, relative
Kingdom of God
Signs and wonders were brought into the church not to focus inwardly but to
change the lives of others. Our forefathers did not come to Pentecost because of
buildings and oratories, but because of miracles and signs and wonders.
In a home down the road, a family member would be dieing of cancer. Without
warning, a knock would be heard at the door and standing there would be a Holy
Ghost filled man full of faith. He would explain, “I don’t know why I am here,
but God has sent me to pray for someone in this house. He would lay hands on the
diseased person and healing would occur. Generations later, both families are
still on fire Pentecostals.
You are going to breed what you minister. You are going to produce what you are
capable of producing. Our capabilities must not rest in ourselves. Our
capabilities must rest in the Power of God. We need the Gifts of the Spirit as
never before. We cannot rest in our new found favor, money and prestige. For we
are not endued with power by the favor of man. It does not take even one cent to
become God’s man. A recognition of man will not increase our stature with God.
These things only come from a life of dedication and commitment.
We are not impressed with emotional outbreaks. Yes, God is worthy to be praised
in the House of God. But He is also worthy to be praised in the streets. Too
many are looking for supernatural powers to waste on ourselves instead of using
the Gifts of the Spirit to change lives in the streets and work places of
societies. The Pentecostal church of today must have men and women who are
committed to others and not self gratification.
Higher education is a must. Jesus taught his “called out,” for three years
before sending them out to ministry to others. Yes, the Gifts of the Spirit are
a must, but we cannot forego humbly submitted education.
Your best in the flesh will produce only the best that flesh can produce. Are
you desperate for men and women’s lives to be changed when you walk into the
pulpit or do you want the acclaim of man? What do you want from God? If you want
what man can produce, then go and pray to man. If you want what God can produce,
then lay prostrate before God.
A prayer-less church is a Godless Church. A prayer-less life is a Godless life.
The morning service ended with everyone present either praying at their seats or
in the altar. It was a time of repentance and commitment. I personally prayed
with a young couple seeking their baptism and with a lady minister seeking
direction.
The 7:00 PM service saw almost 2,000 spiritually hungry people gathered to
praise and celebrate our salvation and Pentecostal experience. From the
beginning of the service the praise and worship was powerful. The fellowship and
excitement of the people from different cultures and denominations was evident.
There was much rejoicing throughout the service. Bishop Lee, a Church of God
pastor from Bermuda brought a powerful message. It was obvious that God had
orchestrated today’s services and messages. Brother Lee, who had not been in the
morning service, directed us to Acts 2 and preached from the same passages that
Bishop Crabtree had used earlier in the day. The title of Bishop Lee’s message
was, “To Be Continued.” I will include some excerpts and again take liberties to
add my interpretation:
“Upon returning to a furniture store where
I had previously purchased a lamp, the customer service representative
informed me the broken lamp that I wanted to replace had been discontinued.”
There appears to be some items given to the church after the original
Pentecost that have been discontinued in many Pentecostal churches.
Acts 2:42-47, verse 42: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
One of the main items that Pentecostal churches seem to have discontinued is
“Sound Doctrine.” “Sound Doctrine” would be those great doctrines of the New
Testament church that are “rooted and grounded” in the “Word of God.”
Throughout our modern history, many Pentecostals have emphasized experience
over “Sound Doctrine.” If any move of God is to be sustained (continued,) it
must be rooted and grounded in “Sound Doctrine” (the Word of God.) Any move
that appears to be of God that is rooted in a word for lustful or itching
ears will perish and be discontinued.
Be faithful to the “Sound Doctrine” that has brought us to where we are.
Just because something sounds right as it comes over the airwaves doesn’t
mean that it is right. Just because it is a “new thing” doesn’t meant that
it is a “right thing.” Evaluate what you hear. If it is not found in “the
Book” it cannot be “Sound Doctrine.”
As Pentecostals we all know of the attacks that we have faced since we
poured forth from the Upper Room. We also continue to discover that what is
found in “The Word” cannot be discontinued.
You may not be able to find the Pentecostal Gifts of the Spirit in some
local, district,national and international warehouses and distribution
centers. But that is not evidence of what is found in “The Book” has been
discontinued.
The laws of supply and demand exist even in Pentecostal churches. II
Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
their land. Where people humble themselves and pray, Biblical desires
promises will be met and fulfilled. The Gifts of the Spirit will be freely
distributed when God’s people humble themselves and pray. No customer
service representative will give a discontinued message or put any sign of
discontinued.
The only thing that continues in the Pentecostal movements that needs to be
Discontinued is our lack of fellowship, our division. Division of religion,
denominationalism, cultures, races of people, classes of people must be
discontinued. Walls of racism (religion, denominationalism, cultures, races
of people, classes of people,) must be discontinued.
Matthew 18:19-20, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on
earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them
of my Father which is in heaven, or where two or three are gathered together
in my name, there am I in the midst of them,”
Satan knows what will happen when God’s people agree.
The old super heroes cartoon has two characters called the “Wonder Twins.”
The “Wonder Twins” could not function independently. They would touch each
other’s rings and say, “Wonder Twin Power activate.”
Can you imagine what would happen if we would reach out and touch our
Christian brothers and sisters – our “Pentecostal Twins,” and say Holy Ghost
Power activate?
Paul and Silas did not agree upon their treatment, conditions, surroundings
and circumstances while in the prison cell. However they did agree upon the
Biblical principle of praising God. And then they came to this agreement of
praising God, the earth began to quake, the guards fell and dead men and the
chains fell off that was restraining their freedom.
An atmosphere of praise must be continued. In an effect to be “user
friendly,” we are in danger of losing the Pentecostal distinctive of praise.
In Acts 2 they praised God continually and the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved.
There is something about praise to God that attracts the attention of God.
Maybe we should lay aside our obsession of making visitors comfortable in
our services
and turn once again to making sure that God is comfortable.
When we learn how to worship and praise, we won’t have to worry about
finding God, God will find us. He inhabitants the praises of His people.
“Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!”
Don’t come to the Azusa Street East
Celebration without expecting to be consumed by the Holy Ghost fire and leave as
a tongue talking “fire brand” for God.
Azusa Street East – December 31, 2006 –
Falcon, NC
Tonight, 100 years ago, a Pentecostal revival started in the little southern
farming town of Dunn, NC (about 8 miles from the North Carolina State
Headquarters, Children’s Home and Campground of the International Pentecostal
Holiness.) G.B. Cashwell, a Pentecostal Holiness preacher obtained the largest
building in Dunn, NC (a tobacco warehouse,) and began preaching about the Spirit
Baptism that he had experienced in Los Angles a few weeks earlier.
Bishop Preston Heath, General Superintendent for the Pentecostal Free Will
Baptist, opened the Azusa Street East Celebration by praying, “Lord, do it
again.” What began as a true “Watch Night Service,” suddenly began to be ignited
by the “fire of the spirit,” as almost 2,000 Pentecostal brothers and sisters
from various Pentecostal movements began to admonish one another to allow the
Lord to baptize us once again.
Bishop Chris Thompson, North Carolina State Superintendent for the International
Pentecostal Holiness, proclaimed, “Yes Lord, do it again, but with one
exception; don’t let us leave this Pentecostal Celebration divided.”
We all prayed together, Lord, let black and white, rich and poor, educated and
uneducated, Assembly of God, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Church of
God of Prophecy, Pentecostal Free Will Baptist, Pentecostal Holiness, United
Holy – all Pentecostals unite in spirit, in fellowship and in cooperation.
Bishop Leggett, General Superintendent for the International Pentecostal
Holiness brought an outstanding message. I will include some excerpts:
In 1906 two historic fires started in
Los Angles, CA. One would destroy and blaze out. The other would empower and
still blazes strong.
Jesus said that we would be baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire.
Fire is a proper symbol of God’s people, from the Old Testament to the New
Testament until NOW!
God still desires a “Fire Baptized Church.” Fire purifies! Fire motivates!
Pentecostal fire has leaped mountains, plains, lakes and oceans to invade
every
Christian movement around the world.
The evening ended with a glorious altar
service with people seeking the baptism of the Holy Ghost, healing and
deliverance. I personally prayed with two young men seeking the baptism of the
Holy Ghost, and two individuals seeking healing.
Don’t come to the Azusa Street East Celebration without expecting to be consumed
by the Holy Ghost fire and leave as a tongue talking “fire brand” for God.
