Revival: Are we observers or participants?

College students are so much fun to observe. I refer to them as junior high adults. They have so much energy and excitement and they love to be where the action is. When college students sense something unique is happening they put aside all other obligations and responsibilities and jump in with both feet.

Maybe that is one of the reasons that God is choosing to lead the way in this season through young people. Asbury University has made the national news when two weeks ago they started praying, worshipping, seeking God's face, confessing sins, and they haven't stopped. In fact, the movement of God has gone from a few hundred to over 20,000 in attendance. 

A couple of seasons ago I led a weekly bible study at Bucks Community College and one of my student worship leaders moved to Lexington Kentucky. Adam has spent many hours at  Asbury University and has been texting me about what is going on. Here are his words and first hand experiences at the beginning of the service:

• This has been super authentic, super pure, and eyes fixed on Jesus' moment. The worship isn't anything special, just college students leading... but it is the presence of Jesus that is really drawing people. There is a sweetness, an awakening from the stale motions or routines of religion. A waking up to the reality of what it means to know Him and being His son or daughter and the realness of His presence. College students are getting wrecked and their hearts are getting to a place of first love, salvation, being set free, etc. An amazing time, most of it is worship, testimonies, and prayer."

So everyone is curious: is this revival or an extended worship service? My answer, only time will tell. Jonathan Edwards defined revival as the "acceleration and intensification of the normal work of the Holy Spirit." Missionary Norman Grubb said, "Revival is when the roof comes off and the walls go down. Then there is an awareness of God, His Holiness, and a sort of vertical dimension that is just palpable." This seems to be what is happening at Asbury and other universities around the nation. The common cause is students with an expectant heart, worshipping, praising God, and repenting of sin. We don't need to go anywhere for this but I believe it is kind of like working out at home or going to the gym: you get more done at the gym because like-minded people are there. God shows up where He is welcomed and praised. We can do this in our kitchens, churches, schools, and even our gyms. Let's lean in and cry out for our own hearts and the hearts of college students in Greater Philadelphia.

Oh, by the way... every year my ministry (Baptist Campus Ministry) along with other campus ministries, host a National Collegiate Day of Prayer. It is at a different college every year.  There are over 3,500 universities in the nation. Guess what school they prayed about and decided on last year? Drumroll please: Asbury University. It is almost as if God told them He was doing something special in their midst. 

If you want to pray on a college campus, this Thursday is the National Collegiate Day of Prayer. We are hosting prayer walking on the four colleges I serve as Campus Missionary.  Here are some additional details:

• 10:00 AM at Gwynedd Mercy University (outdoor pavilion)

• 12:00 PM at Montgomery County Community College (center of the quad)

• 2:00 PM at Chestnut Hill College (circle parking area)

• 6:30 PM at Del Val University; You can then stay and pray, seek God's face alongside of 100 college students from the Asbury University Livelink Prayer Event.  

*Please email me for more details and weather changes if needed: BradyRennix@gmail.com 

Thanks for your support and prayers: let's be more than outside observers, let's participate and lean in!