How many people does it take to start a revival?
Maybe it is the nerd in me, but the math of this question is interesting for me to think about. The other part to the nerd in me is that I have probably read more than my share of church history and looked at the story of revival. I even updated Charles Finney’s Lectures on Revival for today’s reader. But I don’t want to just read about revival, I want to see the church experience it at whole new levels.
For part of my teenage years, I went to a youth group with the motto: “We don’t want to be the youth group known for the largest ice cream sundae, but as the youth group that goes after God.” With that attitude, even as teenagers, we experienced some amazing things and saw people far away from God come to Him. It put an imprint on my mind that Christians, no matter what their age, can make an impact if they seek the Lord.
But how many people does it take to start something new for God? Let me challenge you with this thought: It is probably less than you think. I have written elsewhere about how people can make an impact online for God in this day and age. God even taught us in the story of Gideon that it is important to Him that there are not too many people when God starts to save.
The stories of the Bible and the stories of history often start with a small number. I mentioned Gideon’s soldiers, but also notice the 12 whom Jesus called to be his disciples. Just 24 men and 24 women started the Moravian 24/7 prayer meeting that lasted for 100 years. A small group of people who met in a home started the Azusa Street revival. And a small group of writers and preachers started the Protestant Reformation 500 years ago.
All of this should encourage us. You and your friends may be the spark of the next movement God has for his church. Your love of your neighbor may bring about the awakening that your neighborhood needs. God is just looking for people like Moses, Samuel and Isaiah, who say, “Here I am.”
Will you be one of those people? {eoa}
Kevin Senapatiratne is head spiritual pyromaniac for Christ Connection. Kevin speaks around the United States helping Christians find the fun of prayer. He is the author of Enjoying Prayer. You can learn more about his ministry at enjoyingprayer.com.
For the original article, visit christconnection.cc.
