- On February 8th, a group of about 20 students at Asbury University in Kentucky began to worship and pray for one another after a chapel service – This was the initial spark for what has become known as the Asbury Revival, a spiritual movement spreading to other universities and across the nation.
- The event has gone viral online and continues to draw crowds to Wilmore, KY – People have been describing a “sweet presence,” “deep peace,” and the “quiet, heavy presence of God” when they enter these spaces.
- At the heart of the event is worship – Singing, praying, scripture reading, and testimonies form the core of the experience. Participants have described a sense of transcendence, love for God and for others, and a slipping away of time.
- The Asbury Revival has been called a “revival,” “outpouring,” “renewal,” and “awakening” – While these terms all describe a spiritual movement, they are nuanced based on the scope and impact of the event.
- It has been described as “radically humble” – There is no flashy light system, screens, or celebrity worship leaders, and the event has been guarded by the leaders on the ground against those seeking to co-opt it.
- The Asbury Revival gives hope for the future of American Christianity – It is a subversive event that has chosen hiddenness, simplicity, and selfless hospitality in a world of 24/7 access.
Published February 23, 2023
Visit The Atlantic to read Thomas Lyons’s original post When a Christian Revival Goes Viral