Empower the Nations
The Francis Asbury Society believes every person in the world can personally know the self-giving love of God and experience how true understanding of this love will change everything about a person—from the inside out.
What if?
“What if the wellbeing and happiness of the world depend on the wellbeing and happiness of Christ’s Body in the world, which depend on the wellbeing and happiness of the people in the local church, which depend on the wellbeing and happiness of my own soul?” With this question, President Ron Smith challenged the Francis Asbury Society to expand its mission internationally with his vision, Empower the Nations.
The mission of the Empower the Nations initiative is to equip a network of leaders in all nations to reach those in their local communities to:
- Bring times of refreshing and spiritual hope—revival/awakening—through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Provide resources that promote the message of Scriptural holiness, the self-giving love of God.
- Offer support, encouragement, and accountability through discipleship and mentoring groups.
This mission will be accomplished through godly, exemplary, loving, intimate interpersonal relationships. The Apostle Paul has instructed us:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11–14)
Basic Conference Information
The best and fastest way to promote the holiness message is to engage Christian leaders in regional conferences in their contexts, which would allow for more convenient and cost-effective intra-regional travel for participants.
The conference curriculum being developed will be taught by professors from accredited seminaries, including Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary, and Indiana Wesleyan University-Wesley Seminary.
Starting Holiness Library
The participants will receive a starting library on holiness that they can take back to their communities to reference as they start their own mentoring and discipleship covenant groups. Given the necessary funding, we will ensure that these resources are made available in local languages.
Cost
In coordination with sending churches and organizations, each participant, whether mentor or mentee, will be expected to personally cover a portion of the travel and conference costs.
First Conference Details
Location:
Mexico City (Campamento Tierra Alta Moreios)
Cost ($300/person, divided):
Attendees=$100
Donors=$200
The conference cost structure is designed to ensure that finances are not an impediment to a worthy national leader’s attendance at this conference. Donations to the Empower the Nations Fund will be used to help sponsor a national to attend. Each national attendee needs a donation of $200 to fully cover his/her costs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Empower the Nations?
The core message of every ministry of the Francis Asbury Society is the message of Scriptural holiness—through the infilling power of the Holy Spirit, every person can be transformed to live wholly for God and embody his self-giving love.
Why start the Empower the Nations initiative?
The Empower the Nations initiative, in accordance with our core message, expands the mission of the Francis Asbury Society internationally through reproducible mentorships and discipleship groups.
What do you mean by Scriptural holiness?
The message of Scriptural holiness is that, through the infilling power of the Holy Spirit, every person can be transformed to live wholly for God and embody his self-giving love. We are called by God to be holy. God repeatedly issues the command to the Israelites in the Old Testament, “Be holy because I am holy,” but holiness is a recurring theme in the New Testament as well. We are assured in 2 Timothy 1:9, “He has saved us and called us to a holy life.” Peter quotes the Old Testament in 1 Peter 1:15-16, when he says, “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” And Hebrews 12:14 tells us, “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” So, holiness is a biblical mandate given to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
To learn more about this mandate, we recommend Dr. John N. Oswalt’s book, Called to Be Holy, which is available from our bookstore.
Why is the message of Scriptural holiness needed?
Our world is crying out for hope, and the most lasting hope of all is found in salvation through Jesus Christ. But too many do not realize that we are saved for something (holiness) not just from something (sin). This message is needed because, as Dr. Oswalt says in his book, Called to Be Holy, “When the holy character of God is seen in broken, fallible people it is apparent that something supernatural has taken place in them. And this becomes a sign of hope to the world that their sinful condition can be addressed as well” (p. 4).
When the message of Scriptural holiness is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit can cause a real and lasting transformation in our lives that can bring hope to those around us.
Who do you seek as participants?
Empower the Nations is seeking young people (up to age 45) who:
- Have proven influence within groups of people in their community.
- Have received a clear call to proclaim the message of Scriptural holiness.
- Are strongly committed to devoting a lifetime to spreading this life-giving message (despite opposition).
- Are committed to discipling others through mentorships and small discipleship groups in their communities (as well as preaching).
- Can identify others who share this call and commitment.
What are the long-range goals of Empower the Nations?
Ultimately, the goal of Empower the Nations is that every person in the world will hear the message of Scriptural holiness so that every nation will experience a spiritual awakening, resulting in holy, victorious living. Organizationally, we seek to create reproducible systems for mentoring and discipleship through local, national, and continental networks of believers.
Photo Gallery
Equipping key pastors and leaders who will reach thousands in Asia.
Training pastors and leaders in remote areas as well as metropolitan centers.
These church leaders in Kenya influence thousands for the Gospel!
A bishop in Kenya telling stories of sacrifice for the Gospel. What would you be willing to sacrifice for the Gospel?
Teaching biblical foundations for holy hearts and renewed minds to local pastors and leaders in Kenya.
We best communicate face-to-face, person-to-person.
Taking the self-giving love of God to the nations (Asia)
In the streets of major global cities (Lisbon, Portugal).
We pray the Isaiah 6:3 vision comes to full fruition! The glory of God is filling all the earth!
These key leaders are critical in communicating the message to other leaders in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya).
Influencing a group of Asian missionaries (Philippines).
