You’ve probably read or heard about the Asbury University Revival in the small town of Wilmore, Kentucky. It started spontaneously on a Wednesday morning chapel meeting on February 8th and continued for weeks drawing people to come literally from all over the world. Eventually, the school closed to public attendance so the students could get back to classes and they moved the worship services to venues off campus. But by then, the revival had spread to college campuses and even high schools and middle schools across the United States as young and old worshipped together in an unscripted organic outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Hubby and I were watching Flashpoint on the Victory channel during this time and Gene Baily the host and moderator asked a panel of pastors if this meant the older generation is left out of the revivals since they were taking place on college campuses. I was surprised that no one actually gave him an answer, as I was yelling at the TV screen, “Mentoring.”
When you look at some of the pictures and videos of the college revivals, the majority are young people, but there are also older generations praying over and with them. That’s the true picture of Titus 2, which I believe speaks to spiritual age, not just chronological age.
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:1-5
This is the hour when the seasoned Christians mature in the Lord seek out the younger generation who God is obviously reaching out to and they’re responding. We help these young people understand and apply what they’re experiencing. We pray with them, answer their questions, and share our own life experiences and God’s faithfulness. Revival reveals a hunger for the Lord and the younger generation is obviously thirsting for more of Jesus.
I believe we’re watching Joel 2:27-29.
Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.
The Day of the Lord
28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Sadly, today, many remain silent, intimidated, and maybe even ashamed to admit they’re a Christian, especially on college campuses. I believe this current outpouring of the Holy Spirit on young students and their response will embolden courage. Now is the hour for all generations to come together and proclaim the power in the Name of Jesus and the walls of fear will crumble as the Truth prevails.
I find it so timely that God would do such a mighty public work preceding the movie Jesus Revolution that has been in the works for several years and releases February 24 to March 3! That could’ve never been orchestrated by man. Only God! I hope you’ll make a concerted effort to see this movie. I was pleased to see that it’s playing in all the theaters in the Boise/Meridian area near us with multiple show times. We’re going at 7:00 PM on Wednesday night and I was encouraged ordering the tickets today, 2/21, that the theater was filling up. If there’s a large turnout, hopefully the theaters will hold it over for a longer time.
Jesus Revolution tells the story of the late Pastor Chuck Smith who pastored Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, and opened his church to the hippie Jesus movement in the 70’s. Greg Laurie was a seventeen year-old spiritually lost young man saved during that Jesus Revolution era and mentored by Pastor Chuck. Greg later became the pastor of Harvest Church and Harvest Ministries. You can watch the trailer and purchase tickets here.
Kelsey Grammer plays Pastor Chuck. Jonathan Roumie, [who plays Jesus in The Chosen] is Lonnie Frisbee who was the hippie instrumental in drawing Pastor Chuck into the revival that was taking place in the younger generation. A Jesus Revolution that changed the world. An unsettling time much like we’re experiencing in our culture right now only having lived through both times, I’d say today is far worse than we could’ve ever anticipated.
Years later, in 1992, when Dave and I were dating we attended Pastor Laurie’s third Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, California, and I rededicated my life to the Lord. I had a spiritual revival that changed my life forever when I told the Lord this prodigal has returned and I’ll go where you send me. I could've never known the plans the Lord had for me to start the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry and About His Work Ministries or that I would become an author?!
Dave and I were married five months later and we spent our honeymoon on a cruise to the Caribbean hosted by Pastor Chuck. Even though we were members of Saddleback Church, we were always open to learning from other pastors and fellowshipping with believers. We wanted to make new Christian friends as a couple and the Lord has multiplied that prayer request over the years.
I know many of you might have your own stories of how God used these two pastors to draw you closer to the Lord maybe during the 70’s Jesus movement or later in life like myself. Even if you never experienced their ministries, you’ll identify today with how revival can change a life, a city, a state, a country. This movie takes place in Southern California, a state that is so desperately in need of revival and a spiritual awakening today. If it could happen once, it could happen again.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matt. 19:26
I recently did an interview with author Meredith Schoeller sharing thoughts on why women need to mentor each other and my testimony of how Woman to Woman Mentoring and About His Ministries originated. Especially, you’ll hear why I think it’s still such an active ministry in churches today. I’ll give you a hint: mentoring is biblically based for all times and all generations. Check out this information page for links to hear the interview.
I hope you’ll read my blog articles below if you haven’t already where I offer more insight into what I see God doing through this time of revival. I pray you’ll be blessed and encouraged that God is speaking louder than the enemy who is definitely coming out of the shadows.
About His Work with You,
Janet
New Blog Posts and Janet's Crosswalk Articles:
PSSSS: Please share with us a story from your mentoring ministry to encourage other churches.
