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LOS ANGELES, March 26, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Azusa Street Mission & Historical Society announced Pastor Silas Malafaia as this year's prestigious William J. Seymour Award international recipient, recognized for his years of dedicated service in ministry, integrity, and leadership. Founders Fred and Wilma Berry will present the award at the 6th Annual Azusafest taking place at Centro de Exposições Imigrantes from April 19-21 in São Paulo, Brazil.

The Seymour Award has been awarded since 2006 and honors a senior leader in ministry who exhibits the characteristics of the Lord's humble servant, William J. Seymour. Azusa Street Mission receives nominations and selects the William J. Seymour Award winners. Prior recipients of the award are Bishop Charles E. Blake, Dr. Patricia Bailey-Jones, Pastor Sunday Adelaja, Apostle John Eckhardt, Dr. Myles Munroe, Apostle General Sam Korankye-Ankrah, and Pastor Jabes de Alencar.

Bishop Seymour, an African American minister, came to Los Angeles over a century ago to share the message that the Holy Spirit still baptizes people with the evidence of speaking in tongues. His early efforts to preach the Pentecostal message were rejected. Church leaders were suspicious of his religious doctrine and his teachings, but he persevered and kept on praying.

In April of 1906, a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit occurred where Bishop Seymour was gathered with a small group of worshippers. There were physical and mental healings, speaking in unknown languages, and many other miraculous and inexplicable occurrences. The news spread and soon hundreds of people started coming from all over the world to the Apostolic Faith Mission on Azusa Street in Los Angeles seeking to receive the Holy Spirit.

The Azusa Street Revival lasted over three years and is widely considered to be the primary catalyst that sparked the worldwide Pentecostal Movement. In 1910 William Seymour prophesied that in 100 years there would be an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit that will be greater and more far reaching than what was experienced at Azusa Street. Currently, it is estimated that over 800 million Pentecostals in the United States, Latin America, Africa, and Asia can trace their religious origins to the Azusa Street Revival and Bishop Seymour.

"Pastor Malafaia is a generous servant of God, who is known for bringing churches and leaders together across denominational lines. No one is more deserving of this honor," said Apostle Berry. "He exhibits the gracious, humble spirit of William Seymour."

Pastor Silas Malafaia is senior pastor of the 25,000 member Victory Assembly of God in Christ Church in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He will be the fourth recipient of the international William J. Seymour Award. He attributes the growth of his ministry to God's direction in his life and obedience to biblical principles. His television program, Victory in Christ (formerly Impact), has been on the air for over 30 years and is broadcasted in Brazil and over 200 countries around the world.

Pastor Malafaia's ministry and leadership is marked by his firm biblical convictions and well-known as a defender of the Christian faith on ethical and moral values. Pastor Silas supports social projects through the Victory in Christ Association in Brazil, including Congress Pentecostal Fire for Brazil, Congress Revival Awake, the Victory in Christ's School of Leaders Association (Eslavec) and evangelistic crusade Victorious Life for You. He also serves as chair of the Council of Ministers of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Comerj), vice chair of the Council of Interdenominational Gospel Ministers of Brazil (Cimeb)-an organization that brings together more than 8500 Brazilian pastors, and publisher and president of Gospel Central and Central Gospel Music label.

"Pastor Malafaia is one of God's prophetic voices boldly declaring the Word of the Lord around the world and calling for unity in body of Christ," explained Apostle Berry, "and we're excited to present him with this honor at Azusafest."

Azusafest is a three-day Gospel music celebration and prophetic training school to commemorate the 1906 Azusa Street Revival. The Azusafest celebration, normally held in Los Angeles since 2006, began traveling to the nations when the celebration was invited to Ghana in 2011. Last year, Azusafest was held in São Paulo, Brazil with over 3,000 leaders in attendance. Azusa Street Mission is returning to São Paulo to host Azusafest as part of the 2nd Annual Sãlao Internacional Gospel Expo showcase. Azusafest features inspiring speakers and musicians. Azusafest also includes the Azusa Street Prophetic School. The festival concludes each night with a Gospel concert and a special anointing service for pastors and leaders.

For more information on the upcoming Azusafest and presentation of the William J. Seymour Award, please visit: www.azusastreetmission.org or www.azusastreetmission.com.br. Follow Azusafest on your favorite social networks: Twitter: @azusafest and Facebook: Azusafest

About Azusa Street Mission & Historical Society: Fred and Wilma Berry founded the Azusa Street Mission and Historical Society (Azusa Street Mission) in 2006. The purpose of Azusa Street Mission is to educate the public about the historical significance of the Azusa Street Revival and the global Pentecostal movement's impact on society. For additional information, see www.azusastreetmission.org or www.azusastreetmission.com.br or call (United States) 323-692-7268 (Brazil) +55 11 2851-1535. Twitter @azusastreet

About Sãlao Internacional Gospel Expo: Sãlao Internacional Gospel is the Official Gospel Music and Culture Fair in Latin America, held annually in São Paulo, Brazil. www.salaointernacionalgospel.com.br