The nation has been captivated by the stunning revival that broke out at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, recently. Students, faculty, and people from outside the Christian campus have flocked to the school’s chapel to participate in a multi-day awakening.
The Asbury Collegian reported that it began during a call to confession on Wednesday, Feb. 8, when at least 100 people fell to their knees and bowed at the altar. It quickly grew and it was reported that over 20,000 people came to Asbury in one night, with 5 overflow buildings and a grass lawn filled. This was happening in a small town which normally has a population of 6,000!
Since then it turned into a Holy Spirit outpouring that grew larger and larger each day with visitors pouring in from around the U.S. and around the world. There have been many amazing stories including one about a pastor and his wife from Chile who sold their car so that they could fly in and experience the revival.
On the night of February 23, during the final public event of this outpouring at Asbury University, students publicly shared life-changing scripture verses, worshipped with all their might, prayed fervently, and received the commission to go out into the world to spread the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Many sovereign God-incidences have been evident throughout this awakening. From the 1970 Asbury Revival connection, to the release of a Jesus Revolution movie that had been in the works for years, to the coincidence with the Collegiate Day of Prayer, no earthly power could have timed it all so perfectly.
And no matter where it goes from here, it’s undeniable that this generation is full of souls who hunger and thirst for Jesus, and they WILL be filled.
Generation Z has been marred as the generation of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. A number of students spoke directly about their struggles with these issues, telling of the new measures of freedom and hope they’ve found – that Jesus is changing them from the inside out and they no longer need to let these struggles define who they are. It was genuine, and it was powerful.
Adult speakers declared that God is “marking this generation” in such a way that the lives of those who have participated in this outpouring will never be the same. They’ll never be satisfied by the empty distractions of this world – nothing but the presence of Jesus.
Alexandra Presta, a senior at Asbury University and editor of the student-run website The Asbury Collegian, has been left in awe. She has been writing about what she experienced after attending what she thought was a typical chapel service.
“For me, to see us worshiping … no matter what grade we’re in, no matter if we’re an athlete or not, or whatever major we are,” Presta said. “The fact that we are all coming together and serving God first and foremost, but then also allowing ourselves to take it in and just be there for each other has been really impactful for me.”
We haven’t seen anything like this in a long time, and videos from the awakening are being viewed on social media by millions of people all over the world. Amazingly, at this point these gatherings have created so much buzz that even the mainstream media is being forced to acknowledge what is going on.
And now it is spreading to other campuses. Fox News reported that thousands of students have been giving their lives to Christ at major universities all over the nation. Over 2,000 students repented of their sins and turn to Jesus through events at the University of Georgia, Minnesota, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Iowa State, and North Dakota State. At press time it had spread to over 30 other sites.
Asbury President Kevin J. Brown, Ph.D. posted a four-minute video update to Twitter saying, “Whether you call this a revival, a renewal, an awakening or an outpouring, what we have experienced on our campus these last few weeks is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“People are hungry,” he said. “And they are hungry for something more,” quoting Jesus in the New Testament’s Matthew 5:6. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.”
After over 300 hours of continuous services at Asbury, Brown said he believes that Asbury is not the keeper of this movement and has moved the services off campus.
“We look to other schools, other churches or ministry communities as co-commissioners in this movement that’s taking shape for us,” Brown said. “Whatever happens from here, our deep desire is to see a life-transforming renewal of our younger generation to faithfully serve their communities, their schools, their churches, and their professions. To see them go into the difficult and dark places in the world and to be light.”
The last great spiritual awakening happened with young people back in 1970. It was called the “Jesus Movement.” In a time not unlike our own, God worked a miracle in American history.
There were riots in the streets, racial tension, the fear of nuclear war in the air, and what appeared to be the unraveling of our nation. There was talk of “revolution,” and one actually took place. But it was not a political revolution or a moral revolution–it was what TIME Magazine called a “Jesus Revolution.”
It changed the nation and the world. That is exactly what we need today.
Could this be an outpouring of God’s spirit in one last great awakening before Jesus returns? Lord God let it be so… For the glory of Your great name and for the salvation of our nation!