Asbury University’s Role in the Global Christian Awakening
SEOUL, South Korea — The Asbury revival of 2023, a seemingly ordinary chapel service, unexpectedly sparked a 16-day spiritual awakening that attracted 50,000 individuals to Wilmore, Kentucky. This profound event is hoped to be the precursor to a global Christian revival, according to Kevin Brown, president of Asbury University.
Addressing the attendees at the World Evangelical Alliance’s General Assembly, Brown expressed his aspiration that the events at Asbury would be remembered as a minor tremor preceding a significant global spiritual upheaval. “In five, seven, 10 years, we would look back on what we saw in February of 2023 and say that it was nothing,” he shared, noting the revival’s deep impact on attendees from 287 different universities worldwide.
Brown has been observing a resurgence in spiritual zeal since the revival, identifying a series of mass baptisms and international worship events as part of this movement. These include Gather 25, Baptize California, and Baptize America, among others.
“In January of 2024, 55,000 college students filled a football stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, for a multi-day worship gathering,” Brown noted. He also highlighted the Baptize America initiative, which saw over 650 churches involved and recorded 30,000 baptisms in September.
Statistical data supports this trend, with a notable leveling off of Christianity’s decline in the United States. “According to this year’s religious landscape survey, there’s been an increase in the percentage of adults who say they made a personal commitment to Jesus,” Brown stated.
Brown also mentioned a notable increase in church attendance in Europe, especially in England and Wales, where figures have surged over 50% from 2018 to 2024. This is part of what he describes as a “quiet revival” sweeping through the continent.
The international response has been similarly enthusiastic. Last September, the Lausanne Global Congress in Incheon, which hosted over 5,000 Christian leaders, was a testament to the global hunger for spiritual renewal.
Reflecting on the phenomenon, Brown cited the biblical story of the blind beggar from John 9 to illustrate his point. Despite uncertainty over a revival, he acknowledges the ongoing global quest for spiritual awakening.
On the concept of revival, Brown emphasized the importance of unity as the true indicator. Drawing from biblical passages like Philippians 2 and Ephesians 4, he highlighted that true unity transcends mere agreement but reflects the profound relationship between Christ and God.
The World Evangelical Alliance’s 14th General Assembly, which continues until October 31, features diverse discussions on faith-related global issues, gathering 850 delegates from 124 countries and over 4,000 Korean pastors.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
