Contact: Jeremy Burton, Oral Roberts University, 918-495-6649, jburton@oru.edu

TULSA, Okla., Feb. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Scholars from around the world gathered together at Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Okla. for the first meeting of the Scholars Track for the Commission on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century. This group spent time on Feb. 16 and 17 looking into the future of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement and identifying the questions that need to be addressed in order to more fully engage new generations of believers in Spirit Empowered living.

"The purpose of the scholars meeting was to discuss the future of the Spirit- empowered movements of the world. The benefit of this project will go to the whole body of Christ and to all educational institutions," said Dr. Vinson Synan, chair of the scholars track and Professor of Church History and Dean Emeritus at Regent University School of Divinity.

The scholars group will prepare a series of papers and presentations for the Global Congress on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century, April 8-10, 2010 to be held on the campus of ORU. The scholars also hope to compile their research and findings into a book or multi-volume set of books on the Spirit Empowerment Movement.

"I am thrilled with the progress that these excellent scholars made in their first in-depth conversation together," said Reverend Billy Wilson, who chairs the Commission on Empowerment. Wilson is also the executive director of the International Center for Spiritual Renewal and vice chair of the ORU Board of Trustees. "This group's work will be invaluable for the future of the global Charismatic/Pentecostal movement and ORU is grateful to be serving the kingdom of God in this process."

The Commission on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century is an ORU Board sponsored initiative. The Commission process also includes a leadership conversation and a next generation conversation. Each conversation will meet three times during the next year in preparation for the Global Congress where leaders, scholars, believers and youth from around the world will converge to share insights and inspiration for the future of the movement.

The participants in the scholars track included Synan and Wilson; Dr. Estrelda Alexander, Associate Professor of Theology at Regent University School of Divinity; Dr. Kimberly Alexander, Professor of Historical Theology and Assistant Dean for Student Assessment at Church of God Theological Seminary; Dr. David Bernard, President of Urshan Graduate School of Theology; Dr. Stan Burgess, Distinguished Professor of Christian History at Regent University School of Divinity and member of the ORU Board of Trustees; Dr. David Cole, President of Eugene Bible College; Dr. David Daniels, Professor of Church History at McCormick Theological Seminary; and Dr. Larry Hart, Professor of Theology at ORU.

Also taking part were Dr. Todd Johnson, Research Fellow in Global Christianity and Director, Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; Dr. Bryon Klaus, President and Professor of Intercultural Leadership Studies at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary; Dr. Frank Macchia, Professor of Theology at Vanguard University and Editor of PNEUMA: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies; and Dr. Thomson Mathew, Dean of the School of Theology and Missions at ORU.

Other participants included Dr. David Moore, Visiting Professor at Regent University School of Divinity; Dr. James Shelton, Professor of New Testament at ORU; Dr. Pete Sanchez, Assistant Professor of Church Music at the University of Mobile and Director of Worship Studies for the Integrity Worship Institute; Dr. Russ Spittler, Senior Professor of New Testament and Provost Emeritus at Fuller Theological Seminary and a member of the ORU Board of Trustees; Charles Whitehead, Chairman of International Charismatic Consultation; and Mart Green, President of Mardel, Inc. in Oklahoma City, Okla. and Board Chair for the ORU Board of Trustees.

For more information on the Commission on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century, go to www.spiritempowered.org.