In this previous article, I spoke of the inconvenience of power outages. I related the frustrations that I felt because I could not trust that I would have the energy that I needed to power the modern devices that I’ve come to depend upon in order to complete my projects.
More recently, however, I’ve grown aware of an even more alarming power outage, evidenced by the diminishing number of believers being baptized in the Holy Spirit. At a recent meeting, certain pastors lamented that only 20% of their congregations had experienced the Baptism, while a census submitted by the regional presbyter in the southern portion of the district reported that perhaps only tithe of the church members polled had received the infilling of the Holy Spirirt.
Acts 1:8 states, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Could it be that the reason for the stagnated growth of the Assemblies of God in Yucatán has been because we’ve lacked the power that such growth requires?
One church, Eben-Ezer, has recognized their need for the power that only the Holy Spirit can bring, and has asked that I speak in a two day event titled, “Reconciling Ourselves with the Holy Spirit” on February 4th and 5th. In this event, it is my desire to show the congregation the biblical foundation the Baptism of the Holy Spirit so that they might be open to receive it and learn to cooperate with the third person of the Trinity to make an impact in their daily life.
Would you pray with us for these services?
- Pray for a genuine recognition of the need among the congregation.
- Pray that many will be open to learn about and receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
- Pray that the experience would lead to a renewed witness to the community of the love of Jesus Christ.
- Pray that the effects of this event would motivate other churches in the Yucatán to emphasize the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Picture courtesy of ali_pk (Opens a new window.)
