Revival

I don’t know what you associate with the word revival, but what’s happening at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky has to be awful close. If you grew up in the era of big tent meetings where traveling preachers and circuit riders showed up one day, preached late into the night, and didn’t leave until the whole town walked the center isle, then this may look a little different from the outside. But what’s underneath seems to be exactly the same.

At first I was a touch skeptical. I didn’t grow up in Pentecostal circles, so we didn’t talk about revival often. And when I saw these Kentucky photos through the social media lense I was used to distrusting what I see through those filters. But the more I’ve read, the more I am moved.

This is a story of a chapel service that started one day, ordinary in every way, then didn’t stop… For a week and counting now. The preacher that morning even confessed that his message wasn’t his best, and he rushed to wrap it up. All of us pastors know what that feels like. But then God stepped in… When the pastor prayed, the kids lingered, and prayed themselves, and confessed to one another where they have fallen short. That turned into more worship and more prayer. This movement hasn’t stopped since. 24 hours a day! Listen, I’ve been to countless Bible College Chapel services in my life, and not one of them lasted more than 2 hours, let alone 24 hours a day for a week or more! This is a miracle in its own right!

Here’s the other amazing thing. There are no lights. No fog machines. No celebrities. No hype. Big name worship leaders have offered to come and lead, but they have been kindly invited to sit in the audience. There isn’t an ounce of production. They don’t even have words on a screen! This whole movement is wholly led by, for, and with Gen Z college students! How incredible is that!

I experienced Revival once. No, it wasn’t at a tent, or a part of a massive nation-wide movement. It was in a cottage near the lake in Manitoba. I was sitting with a cabin full of teenagers who were too cool for Bible camp. At first we weren’t sure anything was going to get through the walls they had put up. But then, at the end of the week, we had a fireside with the entire camp. When it was nearing the end, one of my kids got up and began confessing his deepest darkest secrets to the whole group, and asking God for forgiveness. (Revival always starts with confession) I’ve never seen anything like it. Whatever that was lit some sort of fire in the rest of the guys. These tough, popular kids began to tear up, then they broke out into ugly crying together. We stayed up that night until 3 in the morning singing together, praying, holding hands, and talking about how amazing God is. Have you ever heard a bunch of hockey players sing? It’s not pretty… While holding hands?? It was amazing. I was in absolutely awe at the power of God that had descended upon that one room cottage in the Whiteshell. So, yes, I have experienced revival. Limited only by time and space. And I’ve never forgotten it. So, if that is what is happening in Kentucky, then let it run! I can’t think of anything we need now more than that…