Are We Experiencing Revival?
More than two years after the Asbury Revival, people still ask questions as to what really happened on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.
BY ALEX MURASHKO
MEDIA ON MISSION
Today, headlines from mainly Christian media shout about how hundreds and even thousands of students on college campuses in the U.S. are not only attending the outreaches but making professions of faith in Jesus by getting baptized on the spot. Other headlines and stories include talk of revival among celebrities, athletes, and prison inmates.
The basic question remains: Are we experiencing revival?
I was prompted to revisit that question after reading a recent post on X by pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie.
“Studies tell us that 95% of Christians have never led anyone to Christ. Only 2% invited an unchurched person to church last year,” Laurie stated. “We’ll passionately recommend taco trucks, Netflix series, or gym apps — but when it comes to Jesus, suddenly we fall strangely silent.”
He then asks, “Why?” And answers, “Some stay quiet out of fear. Rejection stings. We don’t want to be labeled judgmental or pushy. But what if they’re not offended? What if they’re grateful? Hungry for hope? So many are!”
Laurie concludes in his same post by encouraging people to invite others to the Harvest Crusade on July 19. “With your help, together we will bring the Gospel to them,” he posts.
Studies tell us that 95% of Christians have never led anyone to Christ. Only 2% invited an unchurched person to church last year.
We’ll passionately recommend taco trucks, Netflix series, or gym apps — but when it comes to Jesus, suddenly we fall strangely silent.
Why?Some…
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) July 1, 2025
Hope for Revival
Several days ago, and heading into Independance Day (July 4th), I teamed with friend and online evangelist Jeremy Caverley to help promote an event that begins with an in-person TikTok meetup at a community celebration in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Friday, and continues as an outreach on Saturday and Sunday (July 5-6).
Organizers of Freedom Fest hope and pray for revival. Our efforts to promote the event has me pondering:
Can “revival” be intentional? Is there a formula for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Perhaps looking at the definition of “revival” is a good start at answering some questions.
The word revival combines two Latin words, “vivo,” meaning to live, and “re” meaning again. “It’s like a rebirth or a re-awakening, an invigorating experience where the Holy Spirit moves freely among believers, setting their hearts on fire for the Lord,” writes Jessica Brodie, who is a Christian novelist and journalist. “For a good description of a revival, take a look at Acts 2, the Day of Pentecost, when the believers were gathered together and the Holy Spirit settled on them. They began to speak in other tongues, and their teaching became contagious, drawing 3,000 into the Christian flock that day.”
Key Verses About Revival
2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Isaiah 57:15, “For this is what the high and exalted One says — he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’”
Joel 2:28-32, “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. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved….”
Pray First
I begin every day praying. During the last several days, especially so, before sharing a press release about Freedom Fest I pray… “Who should I send it to? When? Lord, please let there be a connection with that someone that…. brings on revival!”
I’m finding out that, even with prayer, I’m leaning too much on a human plan or outcome to make the difference. Instead, I need to look to my vertical relationship — the one with God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
One of the Freedom Fest hosts passed this prayer (below) along to me via email from one of his “prayer warriors.”
God, stir something fresh in me. I don’t want to just go through the motions—I want real fire, real hunger, real joy in Your presence. Awaken what’s grown cold. Light a spark that turns into a blaze. Fill me again with awe for who You are. Let revival start in me before I pray for it in the world.
Make me bold in my witness, compassionate in my words, and surrendered in my soul. I don’t want comfortable—I want holy. Breathe life into every part of me that’s grown dry or tired. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Are we experiencing revival?
Yes, I wholeheartedly believe so. There’s a movement going on and it’s one prayer warrior at a time.
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Alex Murashko is a Christ follower, husband, journalist and writing team leader for Think Eternity, a site for powerful faith content to help you live the fulfilled life in Jesus. Murashko is also founder of Media on Mission.
Connect on X: @AlexMurashko.
Jeremy Caverley is the founder of JMCMinistries. He is a husband, host of JMC Live, guest contributor for the Christian Times Magazine, musician, and missionary. You can follow him on TikTok and X. Caverley is also the Media on Mission press contact for Freedom Fest.
