Media Curious About Pentecostals

A centennial observance that is attracting major media attention also will give birth to a new book by Dr. Vinson Synan.  The first hundred years of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement is recorded in The Century of the Holy Spirit (Thomas Nelson Publishers).  Dr. Synan has written many books during his years of ministry but arguably none more important than this one.

Set for release in March 2001, The Century of the Holy Spirit chronicles 100 years of the Pentecostal and Charismatic renewal, a movement that now touches the lives of over 500 million people worldwide.  Dr. Synan details the story of the growth of the movement in the U.S. and abroad. He also includes chapters on the roles played by Catholics, women, African-Americans, and Hispanics, each written by authorities within those groups.

Also timed to coincide with the100th anniversary and concurrent with the book's release, the cable news network MSNBC is planning a documentary of the Pentecostal movement and has already included Dr. Synan in its interview segments.  The CBS show 60 Minutes also has contacted Dr. Synan regarding a similar piece. 

"I'm thrilled with the response so far," said Dr. Synan from his home in Virginia, where he serves as the dean of the School of Divinity at Regent University.  "This has been a labor of love for me.  The history of this movement has been so compelling from a research standpoint.  The Pentecostal/Charismatic renewal has been the most significant happening in the body of Christ over the past 100 years."

Leading Charismatic authorities such as David Barrett, Peter Hocken, Sue Hyatt, Robert Owens, and Gary McGee contributed to the book.  A timeline and genealogy tree have been carefully constructed, giving the reader an "at-a-glance" history of the movement.  The Century of the Holy Spirit is thoroughly illustrated with photographs, charts, figures, and vignettes, as well as a 16-page color insert.