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Does anyone remember the Asbury Revival in 1970 that swept across the country to other Christian campuses???
In the early 70's, revival broke out at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky and swept across the country, especially at Christian colleges. I was a freshman at Spring Arbor College (now Spring Arbor University). The divine work of the Holy Spirit was amazing and beyond anything I'd ever imagined! We were captured by God's miracles and took to the streets with our testimonies. It's impossible to describe it!
". . . they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
and they spoke the word of God with boldness."
Acts 4:31
Anointed and full of desire to serve, we started a street ministry (coffee house) in downtown Jackson Michigan. I can't remember how the location came about, but it was under a building, not in the building. No utilities, just a space where the foundation connected to the earth. The floor was dirt and we had to either stoop or sit. It looked like an underground passage of some kind, but to us it was a piece of heaven. We named it the 'Catacombs' (in reference of the underground place where the bodies of the Apostle Paul and Peter were said to have been laid). We ministered with such boldness in an atmosphere of candles. guitar music, soft singing . . . His Word was the central focus of everything! We were overwhelmed and excited that God had given us a place. In spite of the Catacombs being somewhat open to the cold weather, the love of Lord brought warmth and comfort. Many people came off the streets and into the Catacombs to hear the message. It was beyond special, it was amazing!
"When the day of Pentecost had come,
they were all together in one place.
And suddenly a sound came from heaven
like a rush of a mighty wind, and it filled
all the house where they were sitting."
Acts 2:1-2
Now 40 years later, I wonder what happened to my Christian brothers and sisters who were on fire for the Lord? It's as if we were experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit described in the 'upper room' on the day of Pentecost. Surely such an out- pouring was unforgettable. Or was it? Are we still consumed by the love of Jesus and desperate to reach others? Much of today's Christianity seems so structured, planned, organized, man made religion so to speak. I wonder if my brothers and sisters are still flooded with memories from those days? More importantly, are they still on fire? Do they long for the simplicity of our faith back then, which was fully surrendered and open to whatever the Lord had in store? Are our lives today too distracted and consumed with our possessions, hobbies, schedules, careers, commitments and social interactions? Are we available for the work of the Holy Spirit. If ever there was evidence of the work of Holy Spirit transforming lives, it was during that period in the 70's.
He is still the same Lord and Savior, but are we still surrendered and open Are we as desperate to share the good news about Him as we were back then? Or have we rationalized our way of thinking, proclaiming it's a new world, new times? The scripture is clear, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). . . are we the same? Hopefully we have not chalked it up to 'youthful folly' or framed it as just an event in our history. To diminish it in any capacity may mean that we are no longer a candidate for the Holy Spirit to use. Are we as desperate to reach out to others today as we were back then? Remember?
". . . you shall receive power,
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,
and you shall be my witnesses . . ."
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