Asbury Revival/Outpouring/Awakening, part 6

Rev. Diane Nelson Ury (Class of 1983) wrote (highlight mine)—

At age 19, I transferred to Asbury College.

My first day in Chapel in Hughes Auditorium, I had no idea what we were doing or why.

Then the singing started. I had never heard that kind of singing.

I saw kids my own age singing robustly from their hearts and opening their Bibles during the preaching.

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To “revive” means to “re-life.”

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Emotionalism could have driven the worship, but the student team never went there. Students led us continually to focus on Jesus: our King and Redeemer, our Knower and Lover and Healer.

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Meeting and praying with them at “that rail thing” (i.e., chancel/altar rail) was such a joy! Some came speechless, with nothing to offer but tears of Thanksgiving. Many came wanting Jesus for the first time ever, even though they had no Christian vocabulary for their longings.

[All expressed] intensity of joy and freedom.