by Tom Wagoner
It is hard, when we are not all alike, to be one in our pursuit of anything, especially revival. Our Fellowship is very diverse as is the body of Christ. I believe God is uniquely preparing us to reach our generation, but there is no greater way to approach it than through genuine revival.
On the phone the other day, Pastor Bruce Humbert from Sauk Trail Baptist Temple in Richton Park, Illinois, had a thrill in his voice. He reported extended invitations of 20 to 25 minutes in length, hundreds praying and repenting at the altars during these invitations, and 10 or more people coming to Jesus Christ in a single service. All of this was on the heels of a time of pursuing God’s face in a Men’s Advance held in the fall of 2009. When men begin to pray, and we get right with God, and when we seek His face as never before, “God prepares us for a great outpouring!”
I do not believe that we have seen the full manifestation of God’s glory in revival. I certainly sense that the winds are beginning to blow all across our country and across our Fellowship. Time and space will not permit me to tell each story of individuals and congregations who are sensing God’s moving. Please understand as I write that I feel that this is a sovereign work of God and that neither I nor any other friend or pastor in our movement take any responsibility.
I am reminded of the story of the two ladies in the Hebrides Islands off of Scotland. Their names were Peggy and Christine Smith. One was 81 years of age and the other 84, the latter blind. These were the two women God used who began to wait before God and pray and hear Him speak regarding the great revival that occurred between 1949 and 1953 in that region. One writer recalled that for years these precious ladies had sought the face of God. Oh, give us prayer warriors among our preachers and in our churches like this!
One day the Lord spoke to them very clearly through Isaiah 44:3, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” What a precious promise for God to quicken to their hearts. They immediately called their minister who phoned Duncan Campbell, and he came to that region for a two-week meeting and stayed for two years. I wonder what church, what pastor, what brother, what sister will hear God speak regarding a supernatural move from Heaven in our Fellowship this year.
I hope that we will remain humble before God as we continue to seek His face. Don’t give up and don’t stop. God is at work and we trust Him for genuine revival.
A website has been established to communicate our prayers for and our reports of genuine revival. It is www.revivaljourney.com. Please send any comments, thoughts, or information you would like to communicate with the author to cbcdunn@cbcdunn.com.