Last Wednesday a small group of students at Asbury University (a private Christian college in Wilmore Kentucky) held a prayer service. This service was regularly scheduled and happened each week in the university chapel, but on this Wednesday something amazing occurred. The students began praying as usual and then continued praying long after the service was scheduled to end. What started with a few dozen became a few hundred and then thousands. The service hasn’t stopped since February 8th and is still going strong! People are flocking from all over the country to this little university in Kentucky because they are feeling the call of Jesus. It is being called a new Revival of the Holy Spirit, and it shows no signs of stopping, already going more than 120 hours long!
When I mentioned this story in church this past Sunday someone asked me, why can’t this happen in Fairfield? And my response to this question was, what makes you think it isn’t happening in Fairfield? One of the greatest misconceptions of Revival is that it requires multitudes of people and flocking crowds to occur, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Revival begins when one individual opens their heart to the amazing possibilities of Jesus. In the book of Isaiah it states, “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Notice the use of the word “him” in the singular form. A revived heart begins with a singular person opening to Jesus. Then it spreads to others through their words, deeds and above all their love.
Never underestimate the power of a singular individual who is open to the guidance of almighty God. Is it not revival when the wayward child returns to home, the addict seeks to be clean, the abused stands up for themselves, the proud humble themselves, and the sinner seeks redemption? Dr. A. W. Tozer said, “It is important that we get still to wait on God. And it is best that we get alone, preferably without Bible outspread before us. Then if we will, we may draw near to God and begin to hear Him speak to us in our hearts.” While we sit and read this article, thousands are on their knees in Kentucky worshipping and praising God. You have the opportunity right now to join in revival with Jesus Christ, you must simply open your heart to him.
What are we waiting for, revival begins with us, but it can only happen if we truly seek Christ Jesus. Let us shed our worldly distractions, our petty differences, our denominational cloaks, our prideful ambitions. Let us seek as one community a revival of our souls and a desire to return to Jesus. Who knows, the Revival of Fairfield may just be beginning with you; you and Jesus that is, remember, revival starts with two.
It is time for an awakening my brothers and sisters.
Pastor Mike McVey
First United Methodist Church, Fairfield
ACS Chaplain – U.S. Coast Guard Base Galveston
(P.S. If you would like to contact or receive Pastor Mike’s weekly newsletter simply email him at pastormike@fumcfairfield.org)
