On February 20, 2023, our Silver Team began a conference at Oklahoma Baptist University. The timing of this seems obviously providential to me. Nothing could have caused me more joy than to see God move powerfully in revival, almost from the moment we arrived.
I think the tipping point came at the end of the first service, when a young man honestly shared that he had been struggling with homosexuality for years, and how lonely he had been in his struggle. At one point he said, “I am taking off my mask!”
God moved powerfully in many unique ways—confession, testimony, prayer, forgiveness, and worship that extended for hours. Dozens of students came to pray out loud over him and stand with him in his struggle. It was astonishing, and one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen in ministry. Another student said, “I will never, ever be the same!”
From that point forward, no one wanted to leave. Services continued, even after midnight. Students missed classes, with the permission of the president. We saw deep confession of sin, forgiveness, testimonies, and phenomenal worship. Our worship leaders lost their voices, and others had to step in to help!
The altar was full when students and faculty came forward to be commissioned to take Jesus to their campus and their world, no matter the cost.
We are now seeing this take place right before our eyes. Can you imagine anything we need more in this nation than a sweeping movement of God among this young generation that has distanced itself from the church, more than any generation in history, and is facing moral and cultural collapse all around them?
Even after our Life Action team left OBU Thursday morning, the students continued on their own and were still meeting long after 2:00 AM. Revival is not dependent on any of us but on God’s Spirit! He is all they need for continuing revival.
This reminds me of what happened in the Jesus Movement of the ’70s, which led to my salvation and that of thousands or millions of others. It also reminds me of the collegiate revivals of 1995 and ’96 that began at Howard Payne University, and in the church in Texas where I was pastor. God used these movements to shape the lives of so many people, and He is still changing the world through them today.
My biggest concern about what is happening now is that it does not stay in the buildings. We don’t just need revival. We need reformation in the American church! So would you also pray that wherever God begins to move, those involved would then take their revived lives on mission with Jesus and join Him in the reformation of His very sick church in this nation?
In the book Longing for Revival, the following definition of revival has been helpful to me: “Revival is a season of breakthroughs in Word, deed and power, resulting in a new normal in kingdom, experience and effectiveness.”
Now is the time to join Jesus in what He is doing. Don’t just pray this for university students. Pray that this will spread to churches all across America.
Don’t you need this in your own life right now? Doesn’t your church need this? This could be a moment in history when Jesus is standing at the door and knocking (Revelation 3:20). Let me ask you boldly, will you open the door? Or are you content with your current place status quo?
If we answer the door, Jesus will do a house cleaning. In fact, He’ll do a complete renovation. I think we know that. And, to be candid, I am uncertain whether most of the American church wants it. We may soon find out. God is moving across the world in great awakening. Do you want to join Him in this movement?
What a privilege it is to partner with you during these days.
John Avant, President
Life Action Ministries
PRAISE GOD, MAY HIS SPIRIT CONTINUE TO SPREAD ACROSS OUR NATION AS A WILD FIRE!!
I had wondered for a long time if revival would come to America, a country it seemed so focused on the three C’s of cash, comfort and convenience. It thrills my heart to see young men and women on fire for the Lord, for hopefully a response to his calling to mission work in a nation so in need of God’s intervention. May He receive glory, honor and dominion.
John,
Thanks for sharing what is going on among students at OBU. I so agree and pray that the Spirit of God will continue to move in a powerful way and flood churches with revival and awakening. My hearts cry has been for the church to be purged of the worldliness that has just about consumed it.
For God’s glory,
Elaine
It is with great rejoicing that I read this report. I have been following and praying for God’s mighty move in our young people, especially because they are so at risk, and I was delighted when I received the prayer request for the Life Action Team going to Oklahoma Baptist University. I join in praying that God continues to move in our young people but that this also becomes the catalyst for revival in His whole body!
My wife and I have been praying for a nation wide revival for 50 days as part of a booklet call “If we Will He Will” which is a devotional of II Chron 7:14, reading The book of Proverbs and all of Psalms and praying each day as god directs praises, prayers, and petitioning God for revival of Christians including ourselves. It has been exciting to hear of God’s people confessing sin and returning to faithfulness to God.
Praise God!! Missionary Grove has been in a state of revival since our visit from your red team. Brother Matt began the year preaching from Ephesians 4 on unity in the church. We just ended the series last Sunday. Since the Asbury revival, the church has been fasting until noon daily and praying that God show up in our church members and our community in a mighty way and He has!! We are fasting until March 15th. Prayers have been answered in mighty ways and you can see the Lord working in our lives and community!! God is good!! We can’t wait to have our red team back this year!! We love y’all and pray for all of you. What these teams are doing is a great blessing and God is using you to change lives. God bless you!!
Thank you for beautifully sharing the effects of revival now raining over OBU! God is kind and oh so gracious. When God arrives we see so many facets of His grace. Each drop of mercy is filled with healing, deliverance, refreshment and Renewal. Praise God for His bountiful mercy!