By Greg Yee, Superintendent, PacNWC

Have you ever experienced a miracle? Have you ever unmistakably heard God’s voice or seen some other kind of supernatural manifestation?  I have.  And we currently are reading and watching reports of thousands of college students that have as well, at Asbury University.   

Tens-of-thousands of pilgrims descended on the normally 1,700-student Asbury University in the small town of Wilmore, KY. They wanted to be part of what became an 18-day revival/awakening/outpouring that spread to many other campuses and online.  It started with a normal morning chapel ending with a small group of students that remained.  One convicted student decided to confess his sins to the group and this led to ongoing prayer and musical worship.  It became a spark that set the campus on fire and opened the eyes and hearts of millions globally.  Testimonies of healings and miracles were reported.  

We are no strangers to these amazing movements of God.  In our own ECC history, we can look at First Covenant Seattle, remember Rev. Erik August Skogsbergh, and the revivals that occurred in the early 20th Century.  In February 1950, a revival similar to Asbury broke out at Wheaton College.  That day, our very own Rev. Edwin Johnson (again Seattle First!), was supposed to be the scheduled speaker.  He said to those there, “We’ve seen a probing of the heart today such as we’ve never seen before.”  When I first was called to the PacNWC, I remember reading conference minutes of exciting reports that came back to our own regional annual meeting encouraging people to pay attention to what was going on in Wheaton.  

I have been reflecting back to when I was just finishing seminary in Chicago in 1995. At that time another awakening hit Wheaton College.  I was serving a Chinese church and we had a couple of Wheaton students that attended.  I remember hearing their amazing experiences of repentance, prayer, and corporate worship.  It felt so unfamiliar to me.  I wonder why I wasn’t moved to just get in the car and make the less than 30-minute drive to be on campus.  

Am I like the crowds by the Sea of Galilee or on the hillside that made their way to just get a glimpse of him?  They heard of miracles and an awakening and they dropped everything to get a touch.  A touch of the hem of his robe.  A glance from a sycamore tree.  Children wanted a front-row seat.  How eager am I to see Jesus?  

With 17, 22, and 27-year-old children of my own, seeing young people catch fire about their faith and give their whole selves to God is always inspirational.  Watching them worship with reckless abandon ushers me into worship myself.  

But most often revival is not an 18-day-long outpouring.  It doesn’t usually go viral or draw people from all over the country.  It most often happens in more common places and ways.

I see it here when I’m with Iglesia Latinoamericana and their pastoral staff and worship team cry out to God, praying in one voice over the room, walking through each pew, and literally sanctifying Highland Covenant Church’s sanctuary for worship every Sunday.  

I see it when I’m at Radiant and folks are called to a decision and come forward, kneel, and pray.  I see it at Newport during communion as their prayer ministers lay hands on and intercede for people or at City of Rain when people are invited to come forward for prayer.  I hear it in reports from our chaplains when they describe life-changing bedside conversations.    

I see it at Seattle Chinese Cov during their healing prayer services and as they are planning a city-wide outreach to the Chinese community in the fall.  I see it from the four corners of the conference when pictures are sent in of people being baptized and finding the joy of new life in Christ.  

In all of these situations, I am left wanting more.  I don’t want it to end.  I want to remain at His feet.  

I pray that what poured out at Asbury University is not foreign to you.  I pray for revival/awakening/outpouring upon us.  I pray that as you walk through Lent that Jesus becomes more real than ever before and it leads you to “get in the car” and see it for yourself, to give him everything, to seek him and linger… At the very least, Asbury gives us the gift of reflecting and checking our spiritual pulse; our relationship with Jesus.  

Revivals have always started with repentance, prayer, and worship: individually, corporately, or throughout a college or a city.  I’m praying for revival today.  And as my colleague, Superintendent Catherine Gilliard, states as part of her email signature “In anticipation of miracles.” Indeed.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24