Displaying items by tag: Revival

More than 3,500 churches have closed across the UK in the past ten years, with falling attendance and rising repair costs cited as major factors. The National Churches Trust estimates that between 3,000 and 5,000 parish churches are either closed or rarely used, often lacking a resident vicar. While many church buildings have become derelict, others have been converted into mosques, gyms, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The CofE reports closing around 20 churches a year; some are put up for sale or lease. Meanwhile, church attendance continues to decline, with Sunday worshippers dropping from 788,000 to 557,000 since 2013. Census data also show the number of people identifying as Christian falling from 59% in 2011 to 46% in 2021, while atheism and Islam saw increases. Editor: We give thanks for the sparks of revival reported last week. See

In February, 7 million people from 225 countries joined Gather25, a 25-hour global prayer event led by Jennie Allen. Live gatherings in multiple locations and over 21,000 small groups united believers in worship, prayer, and repentance. Allen shared that the vision for Gather25 began with a vivid dream, pressing an urgency upon her to spread the Gospel as widely and quickly as possible. She saw an opportunity to mobilise the global Church in prayer, relying on cutting-edge AI translation technology to overcome language barriers. She described the event as a modern-day Pentecost, where, for the first time, believers worldwide gathered without linguistic obstacles. Despite concerns over AI, she emphasised that God is using technology to advance Bible translation and global evangelism. Stories of faith, including testimonies from former child soldiers in Africa, moved Allen deeply. Reflecting on the event’s impact, she declared, 'We are the fish and loaves story.'

A fresh move of God is sweeping across the UK, with increasing reports of prayer gatherings, healings, and spiritual renewal. Pastor Craig Cooney of Hope Church, Northern Ireland, describes it as 'a rising river', signaling the end of the spiritual drought caused by the pandemic. He notes that weekly prayer meetings are growing, with believers interceding passionately for the lost. Testimonies of divine healings are becoming more frequent, even among those previously skeptical. In England, Rev Liz Doyle recently prayed with British leaders inside Windsor Castle, sensing God’s promise to bring revival to St George’s Chapel. Scotland, too, is experiencing breakthrough: Franklin Graham’s Glasgow event saw over 7,000 people attend, with many surrendering to Christ. This revival mirrors Elijah’s servant seeing a cloud the size of a man’s hand - a sign of greater things to come. God is calling His people to prayer, consecration, and deeper commitment.  See

Author and speaker Jennie Allen is witnessing an extraordinary movement of God among college students across the USA. Through the UniteUs ministry, thousands are gathering for worship, repentance, and baptisms at different universities. Allen describes the revival-like atmosphere, where students confess sins, commit to Christ, and get baptised - often until the early morning. One young man, previously lost, told his friend, 'I need to go a new way’ after experiencing conviction and transformation. His friend, who had been praying for him, saw his prayers answered. These events are entirely student-led, with teams praying, fundraising, and organising the gatherings. At the University of Kentucky, students completed a 42-mile prayer walk around campus before the event, believing for revival. Allen, preparing for her own event Gather25, sees this movement as undeniably God-ordained: a miracle unfolding on campuses globally. She is in awe of what God is doing and urges believers to pray for continued awakening among students. See also

Christianity is growing exponentially in Punjab, with Pentecostal churches leading a revival among Sikhs. This movement incorporates Punjabi culture by allowing converts to retain their traditional names and clothes while adopting Christian faith, creating a smoother and more relatable transition. Pentecostal churches are similar to Sikh places of worship, with familiar worship practices like sitting on the floor and singing, drawing many to the faith. The revival’s growth stems from dynamic leaders like Pastor Ankur Narula, whose church in Jalandhar has over 130 churches and 2.6 million YouTube subscribers. Testimonies of healing, miracles, and divine visions fuel conversions, and there are many compelling stories of transformation through faith. While traditional churches remain stagnant, Pentecostal churches resonate with the Punjabi longing for connection with God, hope, and healing, leading to a remarkable spiritual awakening.

Atheist businesswoman Akane Fujimoto had achieved success in her career and personal life, but she felt a deep sense of emptiness. As a nominal Buddhist, she decided to pray to the God her mother had embraced a decade earlier: 'If you exist, if you love me, if you have a purpose for my life, please reveal yourself to me.' 'I felt God hugging me deeply,' she said. 'I repented for the first time and couldn’t stop weeping. Everything I was searching for was found in God’s love.' Now she is passionate about bringing revival to Japan, a nation often considered resistant to the gospel. Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic. 'I heard sharing the gospel is hard in Japan, but it’s actually quite fun’, she says. 'Material comforts can't compare to the fullness of Christ.' She believes Japan's resistance - rooted in pride, social pressure, competitiveness, and suspicion - can be overcome through genuine relationships and sharing the pure gospel. She experienced a personal breakthrough when she forgave her father and led him to Christ. 'For the first time, I saw him weeping like a child’, she recalls. 'The Holy Spirit told me it was time.' Now he attends church, and Akane is confident that revival is unfolding in Japan.

CBN News has reported that over 300,000 people have reportedly been baptised in Papua New Guinea, marking a significant spiritual event. The mass baptisms occurred during the PNG for Christ campaign, a collaborative effort by several organisations. Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, and his wife, Nancy, led daily events during the two-week campaign. He has recently confirmed that the number of baptisms has surpassed 300,000. Wilson attributed this to the 'Holy Spirit power being poured out on Papua New Guinea’. The campaign saw dramatic changes, including drug lords destroying their marijuana crops and being baptised, prisoners converting, entire villages embracing Adventism, and miraculous healings. Pastor Miller Kuso, PNG United Mission’s personal ministry director, coordinated the events, visiting numerous sites across the country. Prayers are requested for the newly baptised individuals and the leaders who are guiding them in their new faith.

Jennie Allen has witnessed a remarkable revival among young people, particularly on college campuses across America. Speaking at various universities, she has seen Generation Z’s growing interest in faith and the Bible. 'It is so real’, Allen says. 'They actually are hungry for God. It’s been the most beautiful thing.' She described how college-age audiences eagerly respond to her Gospel messages, sometimes resulting in impromptu baptisms in pick-up trucks or local creeks. Allen first noticed this intense hunger in 2018 at Texas A&M, where students responded passionately to her talk about sin. 'They were willing to be honest; they wanted God’, she said, emphasising their genuine interest. This revival has deeply impacted Allen, strengthening her focus on ministering to young people with the Bible’s message of grace and redemption. She is committed to her mission, saying, 'I want to serve God, and I want to serve them well, and I don’t want to hold back.'

On 8 February 2023, what began as an ordinary chapel service at Asbury University evolved into a 16-day 'outpouring' led by students, attracting individuals from numerous universities worldwide. Dr Sarah Thomas Baldwin, a professor whose book on this outpouring will soon be published, has described the lasting influence of the revival. Despite the initial exhaustion following the event, the campus experienced a revival in spiritual engagement. Students returned with renewed energy for worship and prayer, significantly raising the spiritual temperature. She recounted the early days when students gathered spontaneously post-chapel, leading to joy, repentance, and deep spiritual connection. The outpouring not only captured media attention but also solidified a strong community among campus leaders. Today, the spiritual lessons from the event continue to inspire and draw individuals seeking depth and hope in challenging times, reinforcing their commitment to deepening their faith in Jesus.

Unite US, led by Tonya Prewett, is spearheading a wave of student baptisms at public universities, beginning with Auburn University and expanding to three other universities, each witnessing hundreds of baptisms. The movement, fuelled by Prewett's vision to address student struggles, saw about 5,000 students at its first event with 200 baptisms. Emphasising follow-up, Unite US collects contact details of baptised students for spiritual support through local churches and ministries. Many participants report transformative experiences, including overcoming depression and addiction. Keynote speakers like Jonathan Pokluda note a rising revival among college students, seeking a deeper, daily faith beyond routine church visits. This revival trend, mirroring the spontaneous Asbury Revival, signifies a profound shift towards personal faith and active community engagement among university students.