Pentecostal European Fellowship Meeting in The Netherlands

On March 4-6, 2015, the i15 Leadership Summit, organized by the Pentecostal European Fellowship (PEF), took place at the L.E.G. church in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. As Dr. Arto Hämäläinen, Chairman of PEF, noted in his welcome address, this was "a first-time-ever event, held in this format, for European Pentecostalism." Indeed, the summit gathered over 285 Pentecostal leaders from 36 countries for a three-fold purpose as indicated by the three "i"s: 1) Ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit in our hearts; 2) Impart our spiritual heritage to the new generation; 3) Impact Europe and the world together.

In an atmosphere of joyful and dynamic worship led by various teams, the participants were blessed by the anointed ministry of a variety of plenary speakers from across Europe and other continents. A host of presenters (in full cooperation with our PEF branches, resource and supportive ministries) who conducted 19 workshops on a large number of relevant topics were an added blessing.

Plenary speakers from Europe included Evangelist Siegfried Tomazsewski (Germany), Pastor Mika Yrjola (Finland), Pastor Samuel Peterschmitt (France), Pastor Peter Wenz (Germany), and Pastor Juan Carlos Escobar (Spain). Speakers from other continents were Dr. Billy Wilson (President of ORU, Tulsa, OK, USA and Global Co-Chair of Empowered 21), Dr. Prince Guneratnam (Chairman of the Pentecostal World Fellowship, Malaysia), and Evangelist Daniel Kolenda (President of Christ for All Nations, USA).

In his remarks, the PEF Chairman added: "This summit is a demonstration of the fact that we are a family... Why? Because we have the same Father. We have the same Savior, Jesus Christ. We have the same Spirit." He also made reference to our Pentecostal distinctive, which is needed today like never before, and to the importance of passing such spiritual legacy on to the next generation; older leaders to be models for the younger ones.

Many participants said they were touched by the Holy Spirit in every session marked by times of prayer. Others enjoyed good times of mutual fellowship, made new kingdom connections, and were able to visit the ministry exhibits.

On March 4-6, 2015, the i15 Leadership Summit, organized by the Pentecostal European Fellowship (PEF), took place at the L.E.G. church in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

As Dr. Arto Hämäläinen, Chairman of PEF, noted in his welcome address, this was "a first-time-ever event, held in this format, for European Pentecostalism." Indeed, the summit gathered over 285 Pentecostal leaders from 36 countries for a three-fold purpose as indicated by the three "i"s: 1) Ignite the fire of the Holy Spirit in our hearts; 2) Impart our spiritual heritage to the new generation; 3) Impact Europe and the world together.

In an atmosphere of joyful and dynamic worship led by various teams, the participants were blessed by the anointed ministry of a variety of plenary speakers from across Europe and other continents. A host of presenters (in full cooperation with our PEF branches, resource and supportive ministries) who conducted 19 workshops on a large number of relevant topics were an added blessing.

Plenary speakers from Europe included Evangelist Siegfried Tomazsewski (Germany), Pastor Mika Yrjola (Finland), Pastor Samuel Peterschmitt (France), Pastor Peter Wenz (Germany), and Pastor Juan Carlos Escobar (Spain). Speakers from other continents were Dr. Billy Wilson (President of ORU, Tulsa, OK, USA and Global Co-Chair of Empowered 21), Dr. Prince Guneratnam (Chairman of the Pentecostal World Fellowship, Malaysia), and Evangelist Daniel Kolenda (President of Christ for All Nations, USA).

In his remarks, the PEF Chairman added: "This summit is a demonstration of the fact that we are a family... Why? Because we have the same Father. We have the same Savior, Jesus Christ. We have the same Spirit." He also made reference to our Pentecostal distinctive, which is needed today like never before, and to the importance of passing such spiritual legacy on to the next generation; older leaders to be models for the younger ones.

Many participants said they were touched by the Holy Spirit in every session marked by times of prayer. Others enjoyed good times of mutual fellowship, made new kingdom connections, and were able to visit the ministry exhibits.

Serve the City - Maastricht, Netherlands

Michael and Charissa Steyn serve as Missionary Associates with the Assemblies of God World Missions. Based in Maastricht, Netherlands, they send this report of a new ministry that has been initiated. “One of our desires has been to find organic ways of building relationship with people in the city. At the same time we wanted to get involved in caring for people in practical ways. There is something supernaturally powerful about the Gospel when spoken words become loving hands and feet of care. And so at the end of last year, we joined forces with three churches and a Christian student association, and started to dream and plan for Serve the City Maastricht (STC).

“On the 7th of February we had our first Kickoff Event and it was an incredible day. There were around 80 volunteers working on a variety of projects, ranging from renovating a school's playground, cleaning neighborhoods, to helping a rehabilitation house for homeless teenagers.

“But it is what God is doing around STC that is so exciting. Churches are known to be quite fragmented from one another in this part of the country, and it has been ground breaking to see three churches grow so much in unity. And many more churches want to become a part of STC now.

“We have also seen God do miracles with the local government which has been hard to approach in the past. We wondered how we could make contact with the city council, only to have them contact us a week later. Apparently they heard that a STC was being started in Maastricht, and wanted to know more about it. Ever since then, our relationship with the city council has grown tremendously and they are super supportive of us.

“We are really excited to see what God has in store for STC.”

Michael and Charissa Steyn serve as Missionary Associates with the Assemblies of God World Missions.  Based in Maastricht, Netherlands, they send this report of a new ministry that has been initiated.

“One of our desires has been to find organic ways of building relationship with people in the city. At the same time we wanted to get involved in caring for people in practical ways. There is something supernaturally powerful about the Gospel when spoken words become loving hands and feet of care.  And so at the end of last year, we joined forces with three churches and a Christian student association, and started to dream and plan for Serve the City Maastricht (STC).

“On the 7th of February we had our first Kickoff Event and it was an incredible day. There were around 80 volunteers working on a variety of projects, ranging from renovating a school's playground, cleaning neighborhoods, to helping a rehabilitation house for homeless teenagers.

“But it is what God is doing around STC that is so exciting. Churches are known to be quite fragmented from one another in this part of the country, and it has been ground breaking to see three churches grow so much in unity. And many more churches want to become a part of STC now.

“We have also seen God do miracles with the local government which has been hard to approach in the past. We wondered how we could make contact with the city council, only to have them contact us a week later. Apparently they heard that a STC was being started in Maastricht, and wanted to know more about it. Ever since then, our relationship with the city council has grown tremendously and they are super supportive of us.

“We are really excited to see what God has in store for STC.”