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Preparing Your Church for Revival
You have probably heard about the Asbury Revival that has broken out in Wilmore, KY but do you know how that relates to your church? Today I am going to share a personal revival experience.
Asbury Revival 2023
It is all over social media, it has many talking, and lots traveling to see for themselves. It is the Asbury Revival of 2023. It started on Wednesday, Feb 8th and as of the date of this recording is still going strong. You can google Asbury Revival 2023 to see many accounts of people who have witnessed the experience for themselves.
This isn’t the first time Revival has sparked at Asbury College. They have actually had many experiences over the last 100 plus years. I listened to a very interesting account of these instances this morning which you can find here.
The last most prominent revival happened in 1970.
I have heard stories and read testimonies about the Asbury Revival in 1970. I wasn’t born yet and haven’t ever experienced Revival in that magnitude. However, I want to share something I did personally experience.
Dr. Dennis Kinlaw, former President of Asbury University, notably said of the famed 1970 spiritual revival:
“Give me one divine moment when God acts and I say that moment is far superior to all the human efforts of man through the centuries.”
My Personal Experience
About 13 or 14 years ago the church I was attending had a scheduled Revival. I believe it was scheduled for 3 or 4 days. I can’t remember everything but what I do remember was that people didn’t want to leave the building. There wasn’t a dismissing prayer at the end of service. People lingered. They prayed and they worshiped. When the praise team got tired, other music was put on, and people kept praying. Revival continued for several more days than scheduled. There were reports of people getting healed, others were seeing visions. There were amazing testimonies and many received blessings of provision during those days.
Why Did it Happen?
Why did it happen? Why did it go longer than planned?
People were hungry! They wanted more. They desired to be in the presence of our Lord and Savior and soak in the sweet Holy Spirit. It caused repentance and forgiveness. Hearts were softened and relationships were restored. People came to see what was going on and they left forever changed.
What does this have to do with the Asbury Revival that is happening now in 2023?
It’s simple… Your church can experience it too!
Your Church can Experience it too!
Get hungry for more of God.
Do you know He has great and mighty things to reveal to you?
Jeremiah 33:3 NIV says: “‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”
Do you know our Father in heaven desires to give us great spiritual gifts?
1 Corinthians 12 describes those gifts and tells us we should “eagerly desire the greater gifts”.
There is so much more that I could say about that, but I’ll save that for another day.
This whole podcast was birthed with the idea that another Great Awakening would happen.
The fields are ripe for the harvest! And we are Preparing the Church for that Harvest!
How can You as an Individual Prepare for Revival?
- PRAY – Pray as you drive to church. Pray for the service, the pastor, the worship team, and for those that will show up who are lost, hurting, and sick. Many churches are spending more time in prayer. Opening the doors earlier, having a designated night of prayer, and gathering their core leaders together for a special time of prayer. Revival starts with prayer and a repentant heart.
- PRAISE – Spend more time in praise and in worship. You don’t have to be at church to worship the Lord. The Word says He inhabits the Praise of the people. Turn on praise & worship in your car. Have it playing in your home in the background. I have done this and I will tell you it can change the atmosphere in your home.
- Pause – Don’t be in a hurry. When it is time to pray at church, don;t be afraid to go to the altar or kneel at your seat and pray. Don;t worry about what others think. Do it because you have a Father in Heaven that loves you unconditionally. There is nothing that can keep Him from loving you. No matter how far away you may have strayed, He is only one step away and He is waiting for you.
How can Your Church Prepare for Revival?
- EXPECT – Expect that more people are going to show up in your church this Sunday! Expect a mighty move of God in the service. Come expecting that God is on the MOVE and be READY to receive what He has for you, even if it looks different than you expect!
- EQUIP – Equip your staff, team, leaders, and volunteers to be prepared for an influx of people and for the service to last longer than usual. (Make extra copies of the lessons and the bulletins, prepare extra snacks for the children’s ministry, and be prepared to bring out extra chairs if needed.)
- ENGAGE – Engage with visitors, friends who haven’t attended in awhile, and those that are lingering. Don’t be afraid to pray with them and show them you care.
- ENERGIZE – Energize your people. When you get excited it is contagious! If you feel like standing, shouting, or raising your hands – do it! You might just cause a domino effect. Don’t hold back! Everyone has some type of testimony. It could be a healing, a miraculous provision or a time of protection. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is. Someone needs to hear it. We overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimonies! (Rev 12:11)
Listen here or subscribe on your favorite podcast app:
What do YOU need to DO to be READY?
Thinking about these preparations, what do you or your church need to do to be ready?
- PRAY
- PRAISE
- PAUSE
- EXPECT
- EQUIP
- ENGAGE
- ENERGIZE
Do you know where to start?
Is there something I can help you with?
Special Offer
In honor of all that is taking place I am going to offer some “Special Rate” Coaching Days each month for the next couple of months.
Right now, my plan is to have 2 days a month reserved for Special Rate days.
You will get a 45 minute session for $20. Slots will be limited and based on first come first served.
I am not sure how long I will do this so if you are interested let me know ASAP so I can get you on the list.
My goal is for these sessions to be geared toward helping you or your church “get ready”.
If you’re not sure if this would be a good fit for you, send me an email and let’s chat about it.
