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Kingdom Warriors Worshippers and Watchmen Summit set April 1 and 2
By LINDA M. LINONIS
canfield
The legacy of a revival in the late 1970s led by Kathryn Kuhlman at Stambaugh Auditorium serves as inspiration for the upcoming Kingdom Warriors Worshippers and Watchmen Summit planned Friday and next Saturday at the same site.
Pastors Frank Amedia of Touch Heaven Church in Canfield and Ross Johnson of Bethel Church of God in Christ in Youngstown are co-chairmen of the event.
Pastor Amedia said the event is an effort of Revival One Network, a fellowship of participating Christian pastors, leaders and believers from various churches and ministries.
“This isn’t about any one ministry or church. It is a commitment to unite the body of Christ in the work of the kingdom,” Pastor Amedia said. “This revival is about people coming together in faith.” There will be prayer and lifting up.
He said the revival aims to “break down divisions of denominational doctrines and focus on biblical principles.”
Pastor Amedia said the venue of Stambaugh Auditorium is significant in that it has been the site of many important events in the Valley.
Knowing that the Kuhlman revival was at Stambaugh “is seen as an affirmation” that the revival is a path to “merge the former glory with latter-day glory.” Kuhlman was a born-again Christian and healing evangelist.
Pastor Amedia continued that people went to Kuhlman’s Stambaugh event “for a miracle” and he also “believes in miracles.”
Pastor Johnson said he became involved through his friendship with Pastor Amedia.
“The revival is a way people can come together under God,” Pastor Johnson said. “Satan and satanical forces have created divisions.”
He said he is inspired by John 17 in which Jesus talks about the legacy to his disciples. Disciples are the apostles and those who believe in the truth of Jesus’ words.
“The same Jesus who saves, also heals,” Pastor Johnson said.
The pastors referred to Azusa Street Revival, a significant Pentecostal revival meeting in 1906 in Los Angeles that is considered the origin of the Pentecostal movement.
The revival, led by preacher William J. Seymour continued to 1915, and was characterized by miracles, dramatic worship services, speaking in tongues and inter-racial gatherings.
They said they hope the revival in the Valley will take its cue from Azusa and be a “renewal of faith and love of God.”
“We see this as an opportunity for people to come and be blessed,” Pastor Amedia said.
He added that the revival, “in the heartland of America,” will seek deliverance from drugs, health problems, marital woes and economic strife and will be about healing.
Pastor Amedia said the free event will feature an array of speakers known in the Christian community.
Those attending will each receive a “ticket” to redeem for a free gift of a Bible from Whitaker House.
Pastor Amedia said 15,000 tickets have been distributed; he expects people to come and go. There also will be bus transportation in Youngstown and from Warren.
The event will be recorded for a possible documentary.
He said there are 2,600 seats at Stambaugh; “we believe it will be filled.”