Guatemala: Catching the Revival Spirit

GUATEMALA CITY-When the Azusa Street revival started 100 years ago, those in traditional religions and the secular world mocked it.They said its Pentecostalism would soon fade and the world would be ruled by more rational, non-mystical systems of belief.But it's the secular systems that have faded while Pentecostalism has prospered-to the point now that some 500 million people have joined its ranks.As the ranks of the Pentecostals and charismatics swell to more than half a billion, you have to ask why? What's the appeal?There's stunning growth in Guatemala. One pastor says a new church or ministry opens up every single day.In the most poverty-stricken barrios, they pop up in abandoned shops.There's a church right in the middle of a slum, where members believe the Gospel will help lift residents out of grinding poverty.The CBN News team was warned not to get closer, though, since the area is also home to Guatemala's most dangerous gang.But outside the slums, among the more mobile business classes, Pentecostalism now also flourishes.Many end up meeting for services in ritzy hotels because the revival in their ranks has grown faster than churches can be built.But when it's done, thousands will soon be flocking to a new $20 million super-sized church, reportedly Central America's largest building.Pastor Jorge Lopez said, "We'll be able to seat 12,200 people in theater seats."Some 3,000 cars will park there.But is all this necessary? Well, at one typical service the other day, the old facility was so jam-packed that 200 cars had to be turned away.
"Our biggest limitation to growing every year has been lack of space," said Lopez.Popular revivalist Pastor Harold Caballeros says much of this growth comes because Pentecostalism offers more than boring religion: it offers Holy Spirit-led, life-changing experiences.He said, "Pentecostalism and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit-prayer, healing, prophecy-all that will bring an experience."Cash Luna, pastor of the mega-church Casa de Dios, says that what captivates many people is seeing the presence of God manifested right in front of them."They're encountering a God who is not just a concept but the power touches them, literally," Luna said, "and they can experience God in their lives."And that experience is attractive enough to transform the once almost-exclusively Catholic country into one where 30 percent of Guatemalans are now Protestants and six out of 10 Catholics label themselves charismatics.
Caballeros now says that the percentage of Christians is so high that it's reached critical mass it's so big, it's transforming Guatemala's culture.Caballeros said, "It's started to become some kind of discipleship of the nation."You can see it in the fact that Guatemala now has its own Christian TV network and 25 Christian radio stations.Some companies sponsor Christian services right inside the workplace.Believers can even enjoy food and fellowship at their own Christian restaurants.Luna says that just among his church members alone, tens of thousands are meeting outside the church walls in more inviting, informal places."Our own church has 2,500 home groups at this time," Luna explained, "and we have people preparing and studying to start another 2,500 groups this year."The powerful Pentecostal experience leads them to the Lord-who leads them to the Bible-and all that mixed up together gives them a Christian worldview that transforms their life.And is almost sure to transform and modernize their nation.
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http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/190452.aspx
As in the days of Noah....