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FAQ
What is Empowered21?
- What is Empowered21?
Empowered21 is an intergenerational conference joining individuals from all around the world that will be held on April 8th-10th, 2010 at the Oral Roberts University campus. In December of 2008, the Commission on Holy Spirit Empowerment in the 21st Century was formed bringing together Christian scholars, church leaders and next generation participants to converse about the current manifestations of the Holy Spirit throughout the world' cultures, church denominations and generations. In total, 15 conversations will take place in five different continents asking questions such as,
- “In what ways can the Holy Spirit be seen moving in your part of the world today?”
- “What are the challenges and opportunities the church faces today and how should we be responding as spirit-empowered believers?”
- “How can we effectively communicate and pass on the torch to the next generation of spirit-filled believers?”
Empowered21 will include over 190 learning sessions, 24/7 intercessory prayer, practical outreach experiences, spiritual heritage tours, dynamic luncheon events, scholarly presentations, international dialogue, intimate worship coordinated by Integrity Music/Media, ministry from a variety of spirit-empowered speakers and life-changing General Sessions.
While acknowledging the historic roots of the Spirit-filled movement, this conference will not be so much about the past, but rather about focusing on the future. It is our desire that as we join hands from generation to generation, continent to continent that we will experience and discover the purity, passion and purpose of Spirit-empowered living. We believe that God is going to bring a supernatural convergence in Tulsa as the streams of the Spirit-filled movement unite to focus our hearts and minds on the future and we would like to welcome you to join us in this journey.
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the water covers the sea” Habakkuk 2:14 NIV.
- Who is sponsoring Empowered21?
- Where is Empowered21 being held?
The Empowered21 Congress is being held in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the grounds of Oral Roberts University. General Sessions will be held in the Mabee Center Arena (see Mabeecenter.com) while the learning sessions will take place in ORU campus buildings. The CityPlex towers, located across the street on the corner of 81st street and Lewis Avenue, will also host Empowered21 related activities as well as our headquarters hotels.
- When does the Empowered21 Congress start and end?
Empowered21 congress officially begins Thursday April 8th, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Mabee Center and ends Saturday evening April 10th, 2010 following the last General Session.
- When should I arrive in Tulsa for Empowered21?
- Arrival times will depend on personal travel. Due to potential travel delays, travel exhaustion and catching up from time zone differences; it may be beneficial to plan to arrive Wednesday evening, April 7th. Please be aware that you will need to pick up your registration materials Thursday, April 8th before being allowed entry to the first General Session beginning at 7pm that night.
- For those organizations holding separate events and auxiliary meetings prior to the start of the congress, Itit is our suggestion that you plan your meetings for the morning and afternoon of Thursday April 8th.
Empowered21 Terminology/Lingo
- What does the term ‘NextGen’ refer to?
NextGen is short for Next Generation and refers to current college-aged and high school students. NextGen conversations have primarily included college students from around the United States and well-known youth leaders, directors and ministers that are respected among and have been particularly effective with this up and coming generation.
- Why is Empowered21 called a congress and not a conference?
The vision of Empowered21 is to bring together a broad spectrum of people from the body of Christ to seek a deeper understanding of the Lord and a fresh revelation of His Holy Spirit. The heart of Empowered21 is that those who attend will experience the power of the Holy Spirit and will be encouraged and equipped to live their lives guided by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are not viewing this event as a one-time conference but rather as the starting point of an ongoing journey that we hope you will continue to walk out in your own life and pass on to those around you.
Registration
- When and where does registration open?
Registration opens the morning of April 8th at the Mabee Center Lobby along with the Exhibit Hall and Spiritual Heritage tours.
- How do I register?
Registering online is the fastest and easiest way ( click here). You may also call our office at 877.473.2010 or mail or fax your registration form to:
Empowered21
P.O. Box 702320
Tulsa, OK 74170-2320
Fax: 918.495.7440
- How much does it cost to attend?
There are three levels of registration available to you:
- Premium Registration- no deadline
- $210 individual, $300 a couple
- Partner with us at the Premium Level and not only will you help fund Empowered21 but you will also receive preferred seating to the General Sessions, a luncheon ticket of your choice and a commemorative gift.
- Early Bird Registration-register by November 1, 2009.
- $39 individual, $29 for group of 4 or more
- Pre-Registration-register by March 5, 2010
- $59 individual, $49 for a group of 4 or more
All other registrations past March 5th must be done online or at the door and will cost $79 for an individual and $49 for a student. There will be no group rates offered past the March 5th date. Click here to register online now!
- Are there any discounts on multiple registrations?
Yes. Group rates are being offered for parties of four individuals or more. For registration pricing please see the “Register Now” Tab on sidebar of the homepage ( click here).
- Can children attend?
Yes. Children are welcome and it is up to you whether or not you’d like for them to attend the Empowered21 General and Learning sessions. Empowered21 will be hosting Empowered Children Ministry Sessions during the General Sessions for children ages 6-11 in the south entrance of the Mabee Center. We strongly recommend that your children attend the Children Ministry. No manned nursery will be provided, but areas for nursing mothers and self-child care will be available. The registration fee for children ages 6-11 is $25. Children ages 12 and up are to be registered at the individual rate. ( click here)
- What if I want to attend only one day? Will my fee be reduced?
No. While we hope that you can stay for the entire congress, your registration fee will not be reduced in the event that you cannot attend the entire congress.
- What are the payment options?
All registrations must be paid either through credit card, check, money order or wire transfer (for more information on wire transfers please email: jburton@oru.edu. DO NOT SEND CASH. Registration checks should be made out to EMPOWERED21. Please note that in order for online registrations to be processed, payment must be through the use of a credit card. All credit cards are accepted. Registration fees are transferable but not refundable (see attendee substitution question below).
- Can I register at the door?
Yes. You may register at the door to attend the Empowered21 Congress. Due to limited seating, at-the-door registration may jeopardize your option to attend one of the scheduled luncheons. Please realize that at-the-door registration fees will be significantly higher than if you were to pre-register. At-the-door registration will be $79 for an individual and $49 for a student. No group rates will be offered for at the door registration.
- How will I know if my online registration was received?
Upon completing your registration online, (once payment has been approved and accepted) you should receive a confirmation email from the Empowered21 registration office.
- What is the cancellation policy?
No refunds will be allowed once you have paid your registration fee. However, you may transfer your registration to another individual (see attendee substitution question below).
- Are attendee substitutions permitted? Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
Yes. To do so, please call our Empowered21 Office at 877. 473.2010 for help.
- What form of ID should I bring for registration/sign-in?
- Photo ID
- If you registered online, you should print out your electronic confirmation email and/or your letter of verification from the Empowered21 Office.
- Who should attend?
Everyone! Empowered21 is an intergenerational congress designed to join young adults and adults from across the world. As the material being discussed is more serious in nature, children' ministry will be provided (see childcare question below) for certain ages.
- Is Empowered 21 for non-Christians as well?
Empowered21 welcomes all who wish to attend. If you are considering bringing a non-Christian friend, just be advised that the congress is not an evangelistic event and will focus on the subject of Spirit-filled Christianity.
- Are there special arrangements for those who have disabilities and their aides?
Yes. Please note that if you are traveling with an accompanying aide, they will need to register and pay full registration. When you register, please make the Empowered21 Office aware that you have special needs.
- Will translation be available?
Translation of the General Sessions will be provided in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Russian, Korean, Mandarin and sign language. Please check the Empowered21 website for updates or call the Empowered21 Office at 877.473.2010 if you have questions.
Program and Event Schedule
- What are the General Sessions?
There will be five General Sessions held throughout the Empowered21 Congress program schedule at which all Congress participants will convene together. These General Sessions will focus on the purity, passion and purpose of spirit-empowered living and include intimate times of worship led by an international worship team (coordinated through Integrity Media) along with interactive teaching from influential Christian speakers.
- What are the learning sessions and how do they work?
There will be 32 topics, called “tracks”, each with six one-hour learning sessions designated to each track' topic. In total, there will be 192 sessions offered. You will be able to choose six that you’d wish to attend. The learning sessions will be held in between the General Sessions and will vary in form. As a participant, you will be able to:
- Interact with premiere teachers and leaders from around the world.
- Listen to scholars and renowned Christian leaders.
- Learn about international and local ministries.
- Hear testimonials about the work of the Holy Spirit in every avenue of life.
All these learning sessions have been designed with the purpose of conversing, teaching and equipping you to live a Spirit-empowered life in the 21st century. For a complete listing of the tracks check our website for details (click here).
- Do I have to sign-up ahead of time for each of the learning sessions I wish to attend?
No. Your registration fee has included your attendance to these learning sessions. However, seating will be on a first come first serve basis.
- Am I supposed to choose one track and attend all of its six learning sessions or can I switch between tracks?
You are free to pick and choose any of the 192 learning sessions and are not required to attend just one track' six learning sessions.
- Can I skip around and attend more than one learning session at a time?
Out of respect for our learning session leaders, we are requesting that you remain for the full duration of each particular session.
- Who will be speaking at the learning sessions?
The six sessions will have international representatives, scholars, theologians, pastors, church and youth leaders, worship artists, missionaries, young leaders and others who are relevant to the track' overall topic. A complete list of speakers and times will be made available to you in the program guide and online as the congress date approaches.
- Who will be leading the worship learning sessions?
Worship learning sessions are being coordinated by Integrity Media. The sessions will be lead by worship leaders, musical artists and those working in the music media field. Names of these individuals will be announced as they are determined.
- Will there be a time for worship at the congress and who will be leading it?
Worship will be held during the General Sessions. The worship team will be a collection of influential worship leaders from around the world selected by Integrity Media. Christian university choirs and musical groups will also be incorporated into the worship time.
- What are the Women', Business and Pastor' Luncheons?
These luncheons are opportunities for you to connect and share with other women, businessmen and businesswomen and pastors attending the congress while enjoying a catered meal. The Business and Women' Luncheons are to be held Friday, April 9th at noon during the scheduled lunch hour. The Pastor' Luncheon will be held at noon on Saturday, April 10th. Each luncheon will feature a keynote speaker (to be announced later). Check the website for announcements ( click here).
- How do I sign up for the luncheons?
Both the online and mail-in registration forms provide spaces for you to indicate you wish to purchase tickets to the luncheons. If you have registered at the Individual Premium Level then you are automatically entitled to one luncheon ticket. Couples registering at the Couple Premium Level will receive two luncheon tickets. If you have already registered and wish to sign-up for a luncheon, you may call the Empowered21 Office at 877.473.2010 to make your reservation.
- When is the deadline to register for the luncheons?
There is no deadline. However, seating for luncheons is limited. Tickets will be designated on a first-come-first-served basis.
- What is the Exhibit Hall?
Approximately 90 exhibit booths will be stationed along the concourse of the Mabee Center before, during and after the General Sessions. These booths will contain an array of different companies, ministries, services and products for you to purchase, look at and engage with as an attendee ( click here). If you and/or your company wish to host an exhibit, click here for more information.
- Will Empowered21 be recorded?
Yes. Both the General and the learning sessions will be recorded and available for purchase.
- Will there be streaming video of the congress?
Yes. All General Sessions will be available to watch through the Empowered21 website ( click here). Learning sessions will not be streamed live however, there will be audio recordings of them available for purchase after the congress.
Travel
Hotels/Lodging
- What are my housing options? What type of housing is available in the Tulsa area?
There are many hotels in the Tulsa area that are located across the street and/or a few miles from the ORU campus. For your convenience, we have posted a list of hotels on our website by clicking on the “ Where to Stay” tab and the questions below.
- Are there any congress-related discounts/special hotel rates being offered?
Yes. Discounted rates have been negotiated with hotels. These hotels, their rates and contact information can also be found on the “ Where to Stay” tab of the homepage. Please be aware of the following cut-off dates to ensure that you secure these special rates! Rooms reserved after these dates are not guaranteed to be available at the discounted rate. In addition, once the allotted numbers of rooms are filled, the discounted rates are no longer available. Make sure that when you make your reservations, you specify that you are a part of the Empowered21 Congress to secure the discounted rate.
- Crowne Plaza- February 5th
- Doubletree Downtown- March 26th
- Doubletree Warren Place- March 7th
- Hyatt Place- March 11th
- Southern Hills Hilton- March 16th
- Southern Hills Marriot- March 16th
Shuttle Service
- Will shuttle transportation be provided to and from the hotels, Mabee Center and various ORU campus locations?
Free shuttles running to the ORU campus and back will be provided from the Southern Hills Hilton, Southern Hills Marriot, Hyatt Place, Doubletree Warren Place, Crowne Plaza, and Doubletree Downtown Hotels. To see an updated list of hotels from which we may be providing shuttles, visit the “ Where to Stay” tab of the Empowered21 homepage.
- Where is the ORU campus located and what is the best way to get there from my hotel?
- Since this varies depending on your lodging location, the best way to find directions is to MapQuest your hotel location to the ORU address: 7777 South Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74133. The hotel you stay at should be able to provide you with directions as well. Some shuttles will be provided by select hotels (see question below) otherwise we suggest using a taxi or rental car service.
- Click here for a map link.
- Is on-site transportation being provided at ORU?
Most Empowered21 activities will be hosted on the ORU campus and will be within walking distance of one another. No on-site transportation will be provided. ORU is equipped with wheel-chair accessibility to all its buildings. Transportation may be provided for off-site events (such as the luncheons) and pick-up/drop-off sites will be posted. Please check the website as the event draws near for more information.
Food
- What dining options are available in the ORU and surrounding area?
There is a variety of fine dining restaurants, delis and coffee shops surrounding ORU and in the greater Tulsa area. A list of these will be provided along with your registration materials upon your Empowered21 registration check-in. Lunch is not included with your registration however general concession stands will be open on the ORU campus.
Weather & Clothing
- What is the weather like in Tulsa during April?
The weather in Tulsa varies at this time of year. In general, temperatures will range from 60-80°F but rain and strong winds are not uncommon and can pop-up unexpectedly. We suggest dressing in spring-weather type attire (ie: short sleeves with a sweater) and packing an umbrella just in case!
- What is the dress attire?
There is no official dress code. We suggest wearing clothes that you are comfortable sitting and walking in for extended periods of time. If you are attending one of the special luncheons, you may want to consider dressing in “business casual” attire.
Donations
- How can I contribute to Empowered21?
You can make donations either by giving online ( click here) or by making out a check or money order to the Spirit Empowered Living Fund and sending it to:
Empowered21
P.O. Box 702320
Tulsa, OK 74170-2320
All donations are tax deductible. Offerings will be received during the General Sessions. Thank you for your gift!
Final Thoughts
Still have questions? You may email unanswered questions at:
jburton@oru.edu
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