May 31 – Praise the Lord!
In 1971, my parents received an inflowing of the Holy Spirit that would change the lives of their entire family, their church and many others over the course of their lives. While the Pentecostal movement had kicked off a desire among many to have freedom with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it had not moved into mainstream churches.
As I read the names of the people associated with the early Charismatic revival, it was a roster of people that moved in and out of our lives in a small town in Iowa … I really had no idea what I was part of at the time. In fact, I probably still don’t fully comprehend the depth of change that one night in Mom and Dad’s life spurred.
Dennis Bennett was an Episcopalian rector in California in the early 60s when a friend asked for help in understanding what had happened to a couple who had ‘received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.’ Bennett didn’t have any answers, but in talking to the couple, he experienced the same baptism and soon what began as a prayer group moved throughout the church. While the gifts were not released in normal worship services, soon people began lining up on either side of the issue and a split was about to occur. Bennett left that church and took another position in the Episcopal Church – this time in Seattle. The small, struggling church welcomed him and soon began to grow, spurring Bennett and his wife, Rita to national leadership in the Charismatic movement.
Rather than establishing a separate denomination, charismatics remained within their local churches, encouraging ministry with their gifts and prayer. Soon the movement began flooding through denominations making it to the Catholic church in 1966 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
Men like Oral Roberts, Demos Sharkarian (Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship), and David du Plessis began teaching these Pentecostal beliefs in mainline denominations. Du Plessis, a Pentecostal leader had a wonderful spirit, a brilliant mind and an articulate voice that allowed him to be heard among the intellectuals and affluent members of large traditional churches.
Charismatics have worked within traditional churches to remove the fear of outward, enthusiastic expressions of faith and brought new ideas to the church with regards to evangelism.
As I grew to know these amazing men and women, meeting others just as wonderful, I recognized a joy and depth of understanding of the Holy Spirit that couldn’t be quenched. Through their teaching and work, generations have discovered that same joy. Mom and Dad’s evening of transformation brought these Charismatic leaders into Iowa to teach, speak, lead and pray. I can only say “Praise the Lord” as I lift my hands in worship.
In 1971, my parents received an inflowing of the Holy Spirit that would change the lives of their entire family, their church and many others over the course of their lives. While the Pentecostal movement had kicked off a desire among many to have freedom with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it had not moved into mainstream churches.
As I read the names of the people associated with the early Charismatic revival, it was a roster of people that moved in and out of our lives in a small town in Iowa … I really had no idea what I was part of at the time. In fact, I probably still don’t fully comprehend the depth of change that one night in Mom and Dad’s life spurred.
Dennis Bennett was an Episcopalian rector in California in the early 60s when a friend asked for help in understanding what had happened to a couple who had ‘received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.’ Bennett didn’t have any answers, but in talking to the couple, he experienced the same baptism and soon what began as a prayer group moved throughout the church. While the gifts were not released in normal worship services, soon people began lining up on either side of the issue and a split was about to occur. Bennett left that church and took another position in the Episcopal Church – this time in Seattle. The small, struggling church welcomed him and soon began to grow, spurring Bennett and his wife, Rita to national leadership in the Charismatic movement.
Rather than establishing a separate denomination, charismatics remained within their local churches, encouraging ministry with their gifts and prayer. Soon the movement began flooding through denominations making it to the Catholic church in 1966 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
Men like Oral Roberts, Demos Sharkarian (Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship), and David du Plessis began teaching these Pentecostal beliefs in mainline denominations. Du Plessis, a Pentecostal leader had a wonderful spirit, a brilliant mind and an articulate voice that allowed him to be heard among the intellectuals and affluent members of large traditional churches.
Charismatics have worked within traditional churches to remove the fear of outward, enthusiastic expressions of faith and brought new ideas to the church with regards to evangelism.
As I grew to know these amazing men and women, meeting others just as wonderful, I recognized a joy and depth of understanding of the Holy Spirit that couldn’t be quenched. Through their teaching and work, generations have discovered that same joy. Mom and Dad’s evening of transformation brought these Charismatic leaders into Iowa to teach, speak, lead and pray. I can only say “Praise the Lord” as I lift my hands in worship.
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