Again

The ingredients for revival are no mystery, not something mystical or magical, but a heartfelt desire to be in God's presence. I would say that seeking God, repenting of sin, an emphasis on God's Word, inspired worship, and an emphasis of holy living could all be considered elements of revival or spiritual awakening. Psalm 85 demonstrates an attitude reflecting a desire for God:
4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease.
5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?
7 Show us Your mercy, Lord, And grant us Your salvation.

Charles Hines is the pastor of a church in Waxhaw, North Carolina.  CBN.com reported that:

In the 1800s, on the heels of the Second Great Awakening, "people came from all over to come to this (town's) revival," the pastor of Prospect Southern Methodist Church told CBN News.

"People would pitch tents and they came out and they were crying out to the Lord," he explained. "5,000 to 8,000 people came out and it was just a really powerful story."

According to Pastor Hines, just five miles from the original site of that revival, there was a more recent spiritual gathering at Cane Creek Park, a city of some 20,000 - but Pastor Hines relates that just 10 years ago, the population was just 1000. Waxhaw is located in Union County, just south of Charlotte, near the border with South Carolina. CBN related:

More than 500 people showed up to the site, which was once the landmark of a small-town revival centuries earlier. Despite thunderstorms, the crowd was "jumping and dancing in the rain," especially the children, Hines shared.

"It was a really joyful, joyful time in the midst of the storm," he described. "They were enthralled and so many people came up and said, 'You know, I really felt like this is the start of a movement that we have to continue.'"

Hines told CBN News that 15 people made decisions for Christ and requested to be baptized.

"Many people have told me ever since then they just felt God's presence. It was just so powerful. They said we hope that this goes on for many more years," he said.

Two aspects of what Hines is seeing are identified in this statement: "I think there's a lot of growth of young people, especially young men in the churches. We're seeing more revival and so I believe that this particular event is going to be a real rush of momentum for Christianity in our county..."  The article referenced two high-profile Christian leaders, who are seeing men become energized for the Lord.  It states:

Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church recently wrote on X, "We are seeing the fires of revival burning and are on the cusp of Spiritual Awakening. Young men in particular are experiencing a hunger for God...it is a Jesus movement in the making."

Pastor Greg Laurie recently told CBN News he is seeing more men coming to Harvest Christian Fellowship, based in California, also.

Charles Hines, the pastor in Waxhaw, North Carolina who led the recent meeting there, desires to see the momentum from that recent meeting continue. He says: "We know that one of the pitfalls of crusades, traditionally, has been that people, you know, have this experience, they get saved or they come forward, but they don't end up going to the church," adding, "We actually put together a 21-day discipleship training course." The article adds: "Hines shared that people will learn how to study the Word of God, maintain a prayer journal, and understand the importance of spending time with God."

The phrase came to mind, "Lord, do it again." I think when we see a move of God, there is a desire to see it repeated.  We have to be careful not to try to manufacture an expression of God's presence, but we can continue to stay humble and walk in obedience to Him.  In Waxhaw, near a spot where thousands gathered in the 1800's, there was appearance of the Holy Spirit, but it was no accident.  In Asbury, Kentucky, it was not an accident to see thousands of college students gather together at the same spot where decades before God had shown up - a movement that lasted for but a few weeks at the college there, but has spread to college campuses across America.  In the weeks to come, we'll be revisiting a series of revival meetings in Pensacola, Florida in the 1990's that was highly influential on God's work through worship even today. 

Sometimes revival events will repeat themselves - look at what's happening with the Unite gatherings on campuses.  Recently, Auburn assistant basketball coach Chad Prewett announced his resignation from Bruce Pearl's staff to go into ministry, including to serve with the Unite movement, which was founded by his wife, Tonya.  But, you can also find that a revival meeting or a time in which God showed up in a powerful way can be the catalyst for spiritual growth or a launch event for future spiritual activity.  Our job is to be obedient and leave the results up to God.  Clearly, to me, He is moving in our midst in our nation and around the world - we must be open, prayerful, and expectant to experience more of God individually and collectively.