Thoughts on Revival

Let me start with a quote by Shelton Smith: "We need a sweeping revival where people confess their sins and get right with God, where folks turn out in bigger crowds at the church house than they do at the ball game, and where the old-time religion still gets top priority!"

Opinions and theories about revivals are as varied as the car brands available today. These views are often shaped by our denominational backgrounds, cultural influences, worldviews, knowledge of past revivals, and personal experiences. However, one thing is clear: there is a growing urgency and desperation for God to do something extraordinary and widespread in our lifetime. An increasing number of people, including laypeople as well as church and marketplace leaders across our nation, Africa, and beyond, are seeking the presence of God for longer periods. Yet, we often lack a clear framework, as most stories of revivals are found in history books, with only sporadic remnants available on platforms like YouTube, where people testify about powerful outpourings of God’s Spirit at specific times in history. While certain churches in our community experience localized revivals, they remain confined to their particular boundaries, leaving us with much to speculate about.

Reflecting on the events recorded in the Book of Acts, where people were added to the church daily, let us consider a "worst-case" scenario if God were to pour out His Spirit anew. In such a revival, there is a high possibility that church wardens might resign. Churches might find their restrooms in constant disarray, affecting budget allocations for basic supplies like toilet paper. Visitors might camp overnight on church doorsteps, and the sanctuaries could be misused, with carpets stained and spaces littered. The influx of new attendees might overwhelm Sunday school teachers who suddenly find themselves responsible for children who have never before set foot in a church. Church leadership could face challenges as they navigate changing liturgies and service times that don’t align with their usual practices. Long-time church members may choose to leave or move to other congregations, uncomfortable with the presence of individuals who look and act differently—perhaps the very same people who have previously troubled them: car guards, thieves, beggars, and those battling addiction. It's likely that the demographic makeup of the congregation could change overnight.

Prayer meetings could become open-ended, and church services may occur more frequently and last significantly longer than usual. Church leaders, Christian workers, and volunteers may find themselves overburdened, as the demands of many will far exceed the available resources. When the presence of God fills a space, visitors often don’t ask many questions. Instead, they press in, weighed down by their conviction of sin, frequently uninterested in their surroundings. Manifestations of spiritual turmoil may increase, leading to chaotic situations.

To illustrate this "worst-case" scenario, consider an excerpt from the history of the Brownsville Assemblies of God Church, available on their website: "The following months featured service after service, with attendees leaving in the early hours to catch a little sleep, work for a few hours, and then return to this powerful outpouring of God’s presence. Nightly, Rev. Hill shared fresh, anointed messages and cast his nets, drawing in souls touched by God’s convicting power as Charity James sang the urgent appeal, 'Mercy Seat.' News spread quickly, attracting the hungry and desperate from nearby communities, surrounding states, the nation, and ultimately, the world. Worshipers from nearly every continent flocked to the West Pensacola suburb of Brownsville to receive a touch from the Father.

Amazed by the sudden influx of visitors and in awe of this divine visitation, Pastor Kilpatrick, Rev. Hill, Pastor's assistant Rose Compton, and other church leaders strategized to accommodate the overwhelming response. They scheduled four weekly revival services and mobilized other community churches to support their efforts through prayer, ushering, and personal ministry teams. For over eight years, visitors arrived seeking transformation, and even more than ten years later, God continues to meet individuals from around the world. Millions have come, eager to hear from God, and hundreds of thousands have responded to His call for salvation and a commitment to holiness, prompting a renewed worldwide call to holiness and deeper intimacy with God.

History has shown that past revivals have always been seasonal, bringing about significant change during their duration. We invite you to join us in prayer as we thirst after an outporing og God's presence through the Holy Spirit in our personal lives, communities, and churches, 

Insights by GAP Ministries
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