Contact: Jeremy Burton, Oral Roberts University, 918-495-7337

JERUSALEM, Jan. 23, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Spirit-empowered Christian leaders from around the world converged on Jerusalem last week, in part, to discuss the upcoming global congress to be held in May 2015 in Jerusalem. Exciting plans unfolded for teaching, praise and prayer as thousands of Christians are expected to descend on the region May 20-25, 2015. Main sessions will be held in the new Jerusalem arena, which is slated to open in the fall of this year.

"This global congress will be a pivotal event for the future of the Spirit-empowered movement from around the globe," said William Wilson, global co-chair for Empowered21 and president of Oral Roberts University. "Jerusalem 2015 will be a moving experience as thousands of Christians from around the world join together to ask for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit."

This historic meeting will begin with a grand opening celebration in the Jerusalem Arena on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. The next day will feature general sessions and focused tracks including: prayer and intercession, discipleship task force, next gen youth leaders, pastoral leadership, scholars consultation, prophetic themes, missions/global evangelism, the land of Pentecost, signs/wonders/healing, marketplace and church planting, and the book of Acts.

On Friday, May 22, an outdoor worship event will be held in Manger Square in Bethlehem. This will be a time of praise, prayer and preaching focused on the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem.

There will be a special service on Saturday, May 23, at the Jordan River at the spot where it is believed that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. This part of the river also narrowly divides the nations of Israel and Jordan. Christians will gather on both sides of the river to pray and worship God together in unity.

Also, on this day and other points in the week, conference attendees will spread out to bless the land in an outreach called "Hope in the Holy Land." Attendees will work on a variety of service projects including: blood drives, cleaning neighborhoods, feeding the poor and serving at community centers to show love and appreciation to the Holy Land.

Sunday, May 24, attendees will spend the entire day in continuous worship and prayer at several points around the city of Jerusalem including the King of Kings Community.

The Global Congress will end Sunday night in a full throttle Pentecost celebration at the Jerusalem Arena. Believers from around the world will unite to ask for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to reach the ends of the Earth. This event is the celebration of Shavuot, occurring the same day as Pentecost Sunday on the western calendar.

The Empowered21 Global Congress, May 20-25, 2015, is a call to all believers from around the world to celebrate Pentecost in the land of Pentecost. Individuals can register online at www.jerusalem2015.com. Groups will get an 11th person free for every 10 people registered. Church groups of 10 or more can get special rates by emailing E21@sareltours.com.

Also, Sar-El Tours is a preferred provider for pre and post-congress tours. More information can be found at www.sareltours.com.

Empowered21 aims to help shape the future of the global Spirit-empowered movement throughout the world by focusing on crucial issues facing the movement and connecting generations for intergenerational blessing and impartation. Their vision is that every person on Earth would have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033. Get more information at www.empowered21.com. Empowered21 is a Kingdom initiative served by Oral Roberts University, www.oru.edu.