Thoughts on Asbury and Wellspring
By now I am sure that almost all of you have heard, seen or read something about the recent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. If you haven’t, just Google “Asbury Revival” and you will have a lot of reports to check out. (Also, I am embedding a link to a testimony shared there by a student from another campus who came to experience what the Lord has been doing there. See video below.) Further, there have been scores of other reports of similar gatherings on dozens of other campuses across the country, where students are seeking the Lord’s presence in worship, prayer and repentance.
This is all very, very encouraging to say the least. I know many who have travelled to Asbury to join the gatherings. Every report I have read is positive. God is at work. His presence is palpably strong. The focus is on Jesus. The flavor of the outpouring reflects Matthew 5:6—“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” In the testimony from the student in the link below he states: “Revival is ordinary people hungry for God!” Yep—that’s it!
At Wellspring we have felt an increase in this hunger recently and have received strong encouragement from the Lord to continue to pursue him in this season and this hunger will be satisfied. In Zechariah 10:1 we are encouraged to “Pray for rain in the season of rain.” In other words, when the Lord is moving, go for it! Ask, seek, knock!
A month or so before anything happened at Asbury, I felt led of the Lord to call for simple Sunday evening gatherings to seek the Lord in prayer and worship. “Vespers” is the traditional word of the church for “evening prayer.” So, during Lent, from now until Easter we are gathering at 5:00 PM to worship, pray, seek. Ordinary people hungry for God. Our initial Vespers gathering was marked by this hunger and genuine, heartfelt prayer—and real encouragement from the Lord to keep pressing in. No one can make revival “happen;” but the time to pray and seek revival is when the Lord is moving. I cannot stress this enough!! When God is moving, move with him. If he is beginning to pour out his Spirit, make it your highest priority to press in and seek and receive from him—and invite others to the banquet!
I also want to remind you of the “regular” Wednesday morning gathering for worship, prayer and communion. Every Wednesday in the sanctuary at 7:00 AM. “Ordinary people hungry for God.” And Friday, March 3rd, at 7:00 PM Ben leads in “Presence Worship”—a devotional expression to the Lord of listening, soaking and responding. Now is the time, this is the place, we are your people!
Pastor Rick
P.S. I just learned that Vox Church in Branford is hosting renewal gatherings this coming week (2/27—3/4) at 7:00 PM to make room for what God is pouring out. You might want to check it out.