By Terrence Turman
Rumors of revival at Asbury University in Kentucky began to flood the social media timelines of my Christian friends this past week. Word of a continuing chapel service was making waves in Christian circles. At first, I dismissed this news (probably like many others); I assumed some college kids were simply skipping class or perhaps were caught up in emotionalism. I don’t know whether it was overuse of the word revival or my arrogance, but the skeptic in me was dismissive of this “revival” until we had more “proof.”
But as I was dismissing the moment, more and more people I knew were sharing their stories. Well-reasoned, mature, faithful Christians began to testify to their experience and what they had witnessed at Asbury. More and more pictures and videos were flooding my social media. What I had imagined were 50 or so college kids pulling an all-nighter was in fact a multigenerational and multiethnic picture of the beauty that is Christ’s universal church.
At that point, I had to see it for myself. A coworker’s text summed up my reasoning: “We can’t have revival happening an hour away and I don’t take part because ‘I have meetings.’”
My curiosity piqued, my wife and I made the hourlong drive to Wilmore, Ky., not knowing what to expect. I was still an anxious skeptic as we entered the chapel service; I hoped we hadn’t wasted our time. I was standing there looking around, ready to critique what I saw and heard, when I felt a sudden sense of conviction. I watched as my wife worshipped beside me, and then I began to allow myself to be in the moment. It became clear, the biggest obstacle to my participation in this worshipful revival was my own cynical heart.
Upon accepting that truth, I immediately sensed a spirit of unity and noticed people from all walks of life. People from different denominational backgrounds sang together beautifully despite their desired preferences. Whether it was bluegrass, contemporary praise, or all-out worship, people were openhanded to the moment. We pleaded the case for the poor and the outcast. We pleaded for the nations (including our own). We lifted up to God our personal and communal confessions as we were called back to our first love in this worshipful moment.
People praised and prayed in African dialects and with accents placing them from the “hollers” of Kentucky. From the boomer generation to preteens, hands were lifted as voices sang praises to the Lord of the occasion. As Asbury students led us through worship, I was among the many who sensed that God’s Spirit was present and his heart was pleased.
While worshiping, I was graciously approached by a young man no older than 15 who asked if he could pray for me. As he did so, I was moved to do the same for him and others. Throughout the rest of the morning, I had the privilege of praying with, over, and for total strangers, some by request and some as I was led by the Spirit. An accepted sense of unity filled the room; our prayers and our burdens belonged to each other.
Scriptures were preached and read aloud as acts of worship. People laid repentant and pleading at the altar as others joined them in prayers of agreement.
In the background, Asbury staff members humbly worked in service to each visitor who made the drive to campus. These campus shepherds willingly let the generation they serve lead (and, again, I believe God was pleased). As one group of students would leave for class, a new group would arrive to take their place, not under compulsion, not because they were pressured, but because—I gathered—they were hungry for more.
That afternoon as I left Hughes Auditorium, arriving cars filled every spot that came open. People were eager to see for themselves, as I was, what God might be doing. They surely found what I did: no big names, no elaborate worship, just a gathering of believers and seekers experiencing God’s presence together.
Time will tell what this gathering—be it revival, awakening, or something else—truly means, but until then, we can at least enjoy this moment and point to it as evidence that Christ’s church is alive and well! We can rejoice that just when people want to count out a generation, their obedience to the Holy Spirit sparked a multiday God moment that attracted people from across the United States and inspired people around the world. If anything, this moment at Asbury University is a precursor and a peek behind the curtain of what God will certainly do in the years to come as he raises up for himself that faithful remnant to proclaim his goodness in these latter days!
To those among you who remain suspicious about this moment, I would say only this: Being a skeptic is not a courageous position, nor does it make you more mature. That is a fallacy. On the contrary, skepticism in this moment might be the easier path. So, friend, as you faithfully “discern the spirits,” please don’t adversely miss the Spirit. I think church history shows us they can often look the same. Instead, see for yourself, accept the testimony of faithful believers, and determine in your heart to praise God for what he is doing and will do through this moment.
Terrence Turman serves as associate pastor for the city region of Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky.
It’s been over 50 years since the last manifestation at Asbury. Praying this continues to spread to other campuses. Praying for an outbreak in Illinois! Our church is ready to serve!!!
Are you scared of what Jesus has to say?
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:8 & again in verse 15)
Hopefully by now, you have heard about Asbury college in Kentucky,
If not, it’s worth your while to look it up and give it a study.
Spontaneous Revival has broken out in their chapel.
Involving the Spiritual presence of Jesus causing all to grapple.
Those present have opened their hardened hearts,
That’s how the sweeping revival always starts.
Ordinary People, just like me and you,
Are often afraid of what Jesus will ask us to do.
For years we may have contained Jesus in our “Church Box.”
Erecting barriers around Jesus, serving as our safety blocks.
We want Him in our lives, but only on our own terms,
Afraid his words will send shivers up our spine as our heart scrums.
Knowing that any great “awakening” will open Pandora’s Box,
Causing our “Scared Cows” to come crashing down on the rocks.
Realizing we haven’t experienced “repentance” for a long time,
Allowing the Holy Spirit to grab our hand and out of the prison to climb.
Dear God, we join our brothers and sisters at Asbury,
For Far too long, we too have been wary.
Come dear Spirit, fall afresh on me,
Let your abiding presence forever be.
LaVon
And yet from our restoration movement perspective, true revival of an area where such a service is being offered there is evidence of whole council of God conversions. No report of such in this article and many others that I have read. Many posts on the internet about this but yet still no report of whole counsel of God conversions. Perhaps such reports will come to light in the near future.
Just last night I learned of the revival going on at Asbury University, so I was very glad to find this article from a person in the restoration movement tradition who has gone and experienced the happening. This is what I’ve been praying for on behalf of God’s people–and for our whole nation. May our Lord awaken us all to unity, confession, repentance, concern for others, and worship before our loving God!
It’s so good to hear what God is doing.
When we allow God to work in us and through us, great things begin to happen
I pray that this spreads to other campuses and we can witness God’s saving power and grace
PTI, it is putting out the CALL, may it spread like fire, PTL!!!!!!
I spent yesterday afternoon at Asbury. The large building was packed. Students led worship and read passages of Scripture. There was a genuine sense of God’s presence. Testimonials were offered. People rejoiced as hearts opened as to what God was doing…..relationships restored, healing experienced, Jesus exalted. And to think, college “kids” are leading. And yes, we need to remember some 2,000 years two college-age “kids” ushered Jesus into the world…..do it again Lord, do it again!!
It’s great to see the power of God at work.
I pray that this will open other opportunities on campuses at other colleges
Most Christians have a sense of the need for revival. Many want it to happen. Few want to miss out on a true moving of the Holy Spirit. When something like what is currently happening at Asbury begins, Christians are wise to be wary. There have been true revivals and false revivals. If anyone tries to encourage you to shut off the discernment part of you, run away. If anyone tells you that revival cannot happen, run away. The mature and wise should withhold judgement pending evaluation of long-term fruits.
Here are some fruits I’ll be looking for:
• genuine repentance and holiness (this can’t be seen in a moment; the fruits are long term)
• sound doctrine (I would be suspicious of any revival that does not produce sound, biblical doctrine)
• new believers coming to salvation (belief, repentance, baptism)
Here are some things that won’t convince me:
• Singing, praying, “worshipping.” Many false revivals have had plenty of that. I put worship in quotes because true worship goes far beyond a service. See Romans 12:1-2.
• Shallow unity – unity on the basis of this experience, rather than unity in truth, doctrine, devotion to Christ. True unity will be seen over the long haul.
• Questioning the spirituality of fruit-producing Christians who are withholding judgment. If you are doing this (which seems to be the tone of the last paragraph of this article) . . . Stop it!
I am genuinely withholding judgment. I want true revival. This may be true revival or not. I don’t know. What I do know is that biblical discernment rather than jumping on what is trendy may just save your soul someday. Make the case that the fruits are present if you are convinced. But, don’t tell people to stop being “skeptical” and
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. . . because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
(2 Thessalonians 2:10-17)
Terrence, thank you for sharing your experience. It seems that a call to repentance and confession at the end of a sermon prompted this movement. Repentance has always been the catalyst for revival. I’ve heard one report that some non-Christian students from other universities visited out of curiosity (and perhaps even to mock those gathered) only to find themselves drawn to repentance. I pray these reports are true. Let us all pray that God works far beyond all we might hope or imagine.
May we all give God the glory and thanksgiving for this revival of God! Not by might not by power but by my spirit saith the Lord! How many stories in the Bible were when God’s people yielded to. worship and praise that he is worthy of….then the result of ..God’s presence…healings…and people being filled with the Holy Spirit….and God doing signs and wonders…….we don’t need…fog….multicolored lights…we need to welcome the Holy Spirit to lead worship…at every church….not on a time clock….praise…Jesus!!!
It seems the Holy Spirit is truly moving. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
An observation, or a question – or both. If truly a revival or a movement of the Holy Spirit, what are people – the unsaved seekers – being instructed to do? It must be hoped that they are being instructed to obey the Gospel as Peter delivered it when he “premiered” it in Acts 2 as commissioned by Jesus.
GOOD EVENING I AM IN TUNE WITH THESE WONDERFUL CHRISTIANS. I AM PRaying for this movement, and it certainly is ORDAINED BY OUR WONDERFUL FATHER IN HEAVEN. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO BE IN KENTUCKY TONIGHT.
Do not forget about prayer Bible reading.
I pray God will move in all our universities and colleges and high schools and their surrounding communities and throughout the world, with no quenching by Christians!
My prayer is that this revival will continue to grow until our hearts are so full of His love that all will see Him in us. The only thing left in my “bucket list” is the RAPTURE
I hope that the worship team at Asbury will allow alternate worship teams to fill in for them during their needed times of respite so as not to disturb or disengage the movement of God.
Our prayers are with them as they gain strength and are renewed to accomplish this mission of God
These reports of God’s Spirit in action are greatly encouraging. Yielding to God’s callings will certainly be rewarding. I wish I were in Ausbury today. Praise be to our God!
I think the tone of this article questioning those who are waiting for long-term results before concluding this revival is truly of God is misguided and not very barean.
This lifts my spirit! God is good all the time. We should always let God guide us. And be open for what God has for us. God is coming back very soon. Keep oil in your lamp and your heart open. God is going to step out on the clouds to bring us home.