Our Church calls it the “Gathering”, and many other Christians call it “Revival,” but whatever it’s called, this is a PHENOMENON that is serving to gather thousands to Christ in many surprising ways…
Gather Together in ONE
Because of the desperate darkness the world is experiencing right now, there seems to be a spiritual shift in the making to add more light. Ephesians tells us that,
“..in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ,..”[i]
The “fullness of times” is NOW! So, it shouldn’t be surprising to see the Spirit
working in magnificent ways to bring about this shift to gather souls in and out of the Church…
People are HUNGRY for Christ.
Case in point, recently something quite astonishing happened at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky that can only be explained in spiritual terms. On Feb 8, 2023, students spontaneously lingered and began praying in Hughes Auditorium following a regularly scheduled chapel service. Suddenly the spirit moved upon these students. This spontaneously became a non-stop prayer and praise worship for 12+ days.
Over 50,000 showed up personally at the college from all around the world to experience the ongoing outpouring. [ii]
Many claimed they were healed from addictions and even physical ailments. Many felt the Spirit for the first time and wanted to get to know Jesus. Many others recommitted to Him in humble outpourings and repentance. This was unprompted, sincere and authentic with no leader of the movement. Just people wanting to feel the sweetness of God.[iii]
I was blown away to see the comments pouring in from all over the world on the livestream with literally millions weighing in over those 12 days about their desire to commit to Christ. One of those comments touched me deeply. It read,
“I want You more than the air I breathe. I need You.”
There were so many people that descended on that small campus that the university leadership had to disband it after 12 days, asking that other places take up the torch (which they have in beautiful ways). It was a phenomenon that has no other explanation than God.
The “Body” of Christ
Did you know that the “BODY” [iv] of Christ includes 2.38 billion souls? [v] (And what about the billions of non-Christians?)
Ezra Taft Benson stated,
“..God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of His great and marvelous work. The latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous for any one people…We have no quarrel with the Gentiles. They are our partners in a certain sense.” [vi]
We shouldn’t be surprised, then, that in addition to the wonderful methods of gathering that are happening in our own Church, that there would also be many others.
Dumfounded
Many years ago, I was on my way to a temple session with a sweet young mother in our Stake. Somehow our conversation centered on ways people become converted. I remember telling her how much I had loved to listen to Amy Grant (a famous gospel singer) until she started singing Christian rock, (which was just in its infancy at that time). I told this girl that I was so disgusted with Amy because, how could that type of music help anyone in a positive way?
Then this girl said to me, “Well HER Christian rock songs helped ME come back to Christ when I was in such a bad place.”
I was dumbfounded! Just because the music did nothing for me, I had assumed it was somehow bad. From that experience, I learned to not judge. We can’t know what might touch someone’s heart.
There are many remarkable ministries that serve to reclaim souls…
Magnificent Ministry
“The Chosen,” a series about Christ, is a magnificent effort outside the Church that is helping people meet and recommit to Christ. Their goal is to have 1 billion viewers by the time it airs its 7th season. It’s absolutely awesome!
“The Chosen” has reached over 400 million views, reaching another milestone for the TV series. Dallas Jenkins, the Chosen’s director shared,
“God is really doing something immense. And the proof that it’s God-driven is in the fact that what they’re saying is, ‘I’m reading my Bible more than ever. I’m praying more than ever, my relationship with Jesus has been reinvigorated more than ever.’” [vii]
Have you seen “The Chosen?” Prepare to be inspired!
Greatest Manifestations are Coming.
We must honor each member of the body of Christ and realize that we all are trying to connect with God in our own way. Make no mistake, this is all part of the “Gathering,” an epic harvest that is unfolding before our eyes.
President Russell M. Nelson profoundly taught that,
“…so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns ‘with power and great glory,’ He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.” [viii]
Spiritual Revival
Is it “Gathering” or is it “Revival?” The answer is “YES!” This is a PHENOMENON that is serving to gather thousands to Christ in many ways. People are hungry for sweetness, healing and deliverance. Let’s help to “Gather in one- ALL things in Christ in our methods and be amazed at how others are helping do this great work with theirs.
You Can CONTACT me at an********@ho*****.com
[i] Ephesians 1:20 (Italics added).
[ii] https://www.foxnews.com/us/asbury-university-ends-24-7-revival-meeting-50k-flock-kentucky-town-13-days.
[iii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h1lGRthm6I&t=1s&ab_channel=SajiS%C3%A0mV%C3%A2%C5%99%C4%9Fh%C3%AB%C5%9F%C4%99
[iv] Ephesians 4:16, Colossians 3:14-16, Romans 12:4-5.
[v] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-christian-countries
[vi] April Conference 1972 “Civic Standards for the Faithful Saints.” Conference Report, April 1928, p. 59.
[vii] https://godtv.com/the-chosen-series-400-million-views-worldwide/
[viii] Russell M. Nelson, “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” October Conference 2022. Italics added.
