Asbury Revival 2023

Darryl Blank shared this a few hours ago about what’s going on in Wilmore, KY at my alma mater —-

MY 5 HOURS AT Asbury University REVIVAL!

I headed down for the 2 hour trip shortly after hearing what was going on at Asbury. The Asbury Collegian wrote, “Revival strikes Asbury once again!

This was not a scheduled revival. It was a stand alone chapel service and God broke in! I aim to put myself in the place of most potential, and I felt impressed that this was the place to be today. It took two trips around the parking lot to find a place to park.

It wasn’t like a normal college visit. Very few students were outside. In fact, it seemed rather eerie. As I approached the Chapel, I could hear the sound of worship. This is where everyone was!

Walking in, I realized I was entering holy ground. This was day two of revival. Worshipers stayed all night. It was apparent that these young people were not caught up in revival, but in the revival-er. God had come! Unexpectantly!

I met “Don” who graduated from Asbury in 1969, the year before the 1970 outpouring. He said, “After that revival, there was no need for the police. Everyone did and acted as they were supposed to. Everyone’s hearts were changed.” I could tell he was longing for it to happen again; and so was I.

Praise filled the air. Small groups of young musicians rotated, giving breaks to sleepy and weary bodies. The pianist played for nearly 3 hours before someone slipped in beside him to take over. Singers and other musicians traded places every 45 minutes or so.

Everything was spontaneous. There were no words on screens because the worship hadn’t been previously prepared. Everyone sang!

New songs, old songs. One of the first songs I heard was “What shall wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Some laid prostrate in the aisle. Others were standing. Still others were grouped together praying in corners of the room. Between songs, worshipers stood and confessed their sins.

Young and old participated. God is no respecter of persons. He is pouring out His spirit on all who seek him.

Later, as music played, we were invited to come to the altar to repent. I wept as I came to the realization that my trip down to Asbury was not to pray for these young adults after all. I needed this. My soul needed this.

It was at that moment that I noticed many around me had no shoes and in some cases, no socks. We were on Holy ground and they knew it.

Toward evening, older folks started arriving. Parents, kids, pastors, and neighbors. We gathered in groups to pray for families. We prayed for this fire to extend far beyond the walls of the chapel.

When testimonies were shared, 10-year old Grace stood in front of hundreds of college students, parents, and professors and gave a testimony of what God had done for her in the short one hour she had been in the service.

I stepped out to get something to eat at the cafeteria. I did not know where it was and I found myself walking completely around the outside of the chapel. It was very windy.

I realized as I walked on all sides of the building the wind was always blowing in, towards the building. North, South, East, West… no matter what side I was on, the wind blew in the direction of the building.

It reminded me of the mighty wind that blew in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers. It moved me deeply. I had been there five hours but it felt like one.

As I prepared to leave, I found myself somewhat restrained to my seat. I didn’t want to move. When I finally got up, I walked to the back wall and stood for a long time, only to sit back down a while longer.

People standing, sitting, laying, and praying while others sang. It was beautiful chaos. No One person was in charge. No one dared to get in the way of what God was doing. Reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing was in this place.

As I was leaving people were still arriving. An announcement was made that at least two other universities were bussing students to the revival and they were on the way.

I don’t know how long God will continue to do what He is doing, but if you can get there, I believe God will do a work in your heart like he did mine.

Please join me in praying that this work of the Spirit will spread across our nation and beyond. HE can do!