Contact: Cynthia Gibson, Azusa Street Mission and Historical Society, 310-410-9039
LOS ANGELES, April 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- Over a century ago, a partially-sighted African American minister came from Texas to Los Angeles to spread the Pentecostal ministry. His early efforts to preach the Pentecostal message were rejected by local church leaders who were suspicious of his religious doctrine and his teachings of the Holy Spirit baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Undaunted, he persevered and kept on praying. Then in April of 1906, a powerful outpouring occurred and many within his small group of worshipers received the Holy Spirit baptism. Word spread and soon hundreds of people started coming from all over to the Apostolic Faith Mission on Azusa Street to receive the Holy Spirit, and witness the healings and other miraculous events. The Azusa Street revival lasted over three years and is widely considered to be the catalyst that sparked the worldwide Pentecostal movement. Currently, it is estimated that over 600 million Pentecostals in the United States, Latin America, Africa and Asia can trace their religious origins to Azusa Street Revival and Bishop William Joseph Seymour.
The Azusa Street Festival is a four-day gospel music festival commemorating the 1906 Azusa Street Revival. The festival will take place April 24 -27 at 312 Azusa Street, the current location of the Japanese American Cultural Community Center Plaza (JACCC) in Little Tokyo. The plaza stands on the original location of the Apostolic Faith Mission. Each day, the Azusa Street Festival will feature a guest speaker and gospel music from around the world. The festival is sponsored by the Azusa Street Mission & Historical Society. Bishop Charles E. Blake, Senior Pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, is the Honorary Chairperson of the festival.
Thursday, April 24 - District 9 Councilmember Jan Perry, will open the Festival with a resolution recognizing the historical significance of Azusa Street. Musical performance by GB5. Almavision Founder Dr. Bruno Cammano will be the guest speaker at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 25, will feature Brazilian music and performances. Special Guest Pastor Joel Cosa, President of the Brazilian Assemblies of God, USA will close out the evening.
On Saturday, April 26, Bishop Charles E. Blake, pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ will receive the first William J. Seymour Award for his contribution to the growth of the Pentecostal movement worldwide. Women’s role in the Pentecostal movement will be highlighted with Special guest speakers Suzanne Hinn and Dr. Michelle Correll.
The last day of the festival, April 27, will focus on educating and dispelling the myths about Downtown L.A.’s homeless community. Pastor Jeffery R. Thomas of Central City Community Church of the Nazarene located on Skid Row will give a message of hope and inspiration.
Fred and Wilma Berry founded the Azusa Street Mission and Historical Society in 2006. The purpose of the ASMHS is to educate the public about the historical significance of the Azusa Street Mission and the global Pentecostal Movement impact on society. For more information call (323) 692-7268 or visit www.azusastreetmission.org.
