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Print By Todd Gaddy Today it’s not much more than an alley. Azusa Street, located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, ironically, is in 2006 like it was a century earlier—a humble, unpretentious, unassuming half-block of pavement, hardly a spot one would expect a nation-shaking 20th Century Holy Spirit outpouring to occur. At least for a week though, Azusa’s modesty was transformed into an international focal point, as thousands of Pentecostals and Charismatics descended upon L.A. during the last week of April, 2006 to remember and celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon William Seymour and his Azusa Street Mission in 1906. Without question, nearly every branch of modern-day Pentecostalism traces their roots back to the Azusa outpouring , an occurrence recognized by historians, theologians, and Spirit-filled believers alike as the modern-day rebaptism of the Day of Pentecost experience. According to The Los Angeles Times, over 30,000 Pentecostals and Charismatics gathered in Los Angeles for several days of services, seminar classes, crusade events, and multi-organizational celebrations, all centered around not only celebrating the 1906 outpouring but petitioning God to do it again, 100 years later. Concurrent with the April 22-29, 2006 Azusa Street Centennial (the multi-denominational Pentecostal gathering occurring at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles Sports Arena, and several large surrounding churches), the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) hosted a multitude of Azusa-centered events, all aimed at reminding everyone that “The Fire Still Falls.”
The Events The UPCI effort began weeks before the L.A. celebration as evangelists, drama teams, and churches aggressively organized and participated in pre-celebration rallies across Southern California. During the actual week of the Azusa Centennial, the UPCI also hosted daily lectures on the past, present, and future of Oneness Pentecostalism featuring speakers David Bernard, Kenneth Haney, and Anthony Mangun. Additionally, beginning on April 26, nightly services were held at the Grand Olympic Auditorium near the LA Convention Center featuring a dramatic portrayal of the original Azusa Street 1906 outpouring, complete with a diverse cast from First Church in Pearland, Texas. Each evening was then highlighted by many guests experiencing the baptism of the Holy Spirit for the first time. Also prominent on the UPCI schedule was a Holy Ghost Crusade service on Friday, April 28 which saw over 200 individuals receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and a well-attended Azusa Youth Explosion at Pastor Jonathan Cupoli’s church in El Monte, CA, featuring the preaching of evangelist Sam Emory. According to early reports, when combining the pre-Azusa rallies and services, Drama altar calls, Holy Ghost Crusade service and the subsequent post-Azusa Sunday services across Southern California, over 1,300 people experienced their own personal Pentecost, or Azusa, as they were baptized with the Holy Ghost for the first time. UPCI General Superintendent Haney was invited to speak at the Azusa Centennial Celebration, held Saturday, April 29 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, where many Pentecostal organizational leaders and their constituents reminisced about Azusa, stressed its importance to 21st Century Spirit-filled believers, and prayed that God would pour out His Spirit again upon the United States and the world. Haney related the story of his grandmother’s experience at the original Azusa Street outpouring in 1906, informing those gathered that it was at the Azusa Mission where his grandmother not only was filled with the Holy Ghost, but was ushered into a life of ministry that has affected many subsequent generations. His comments were well received; following his comments organizers purposely had scheduled time in the program for those that had never received the Holy Ghost to be filled. Immediately following the Azusa Centennial service, and concluding the week of activities, was the Azusa Youth Convocation in the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Approximately, 9,000-10,000 gathered to participate in worship led by Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing and listening to speakers such as Ron Luce, Jerome Ocampo, and Jentezen Franklin. Does It Still Matter I realized the significance of the entire event and the mission ahead of us 21st Century Pentecostals while shopping in Los Angeles. I was asked by a retailer how long the “conference” was lasting. After I briefly explained the remaining schedule, the proprietor then inquired as to what Azusa was all about. After again, briefly trying to capture Azusa’s essence for my new friend, he responded with, “You mean all that happened down the street from here?” “Yes”, I assured him. His response was significant. “I guess I’ll have to go and check that out for myself.” I feel confident he will. And when he does, the street named Azusa will still be unimpressive. But the Spirit of Azusa Street, well, that will change his life. ninetyandnine.com © 2006, ninetyandnine.com ---------- Todd Gaddy lives in Missouri with his wife and two daughters. He recently began a voice-over company, loves politics, and believes the White Sox will repeat in 2006. |
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