Is there a growing readiness to hear about Jesus in our busy, self-centred, media-soaked, ‘this world only’ environment? I think so!
The bloodiest time in U.S. history was the Civil War that was waged between 1861 and 1865. 2.5 million men fought in that war that raged around the slavery issue, out of a total population of 31 million. About 620,000 people died in that war, and echoes of those differences still resonate in the U.S. today.
It was also a time to meet God, and an estimated 1-200,000 soldiers received Christ through that ordeal. People were needing meaningful answers to life and death and were ready to hear about Christ. Despite the rhetoric that came from church leaders who were still divided, revival came to the US in waves. Preacher/song leader teams were powerful at this time. DL Moody and Ira Sankey went to Great Britain with evangelistic campaigns and revival came to that place. They came back home to America and did the same thing with great effectiveness.
Meanwhile, our founder AB Simpson, a Canadian pastor was finishing his successful ministry in Hamilton when a call came from the Chestnut Street Presbyterian church in Louisville Kentucky. Albert was 30, married with three children and had worked himself to broken health, so he was glad to take a smaller church that afforded him 2 months vacation a year. The beauty of this pastor was that he was neutral as far as the War was concerned, so he went there to pastor in 1873. City churches were still split, and hard feelings were everywhere, so he threw himself at the work.
To this point he really had no idea of the ‘filling of the Holy Spirit.” He was doing God’s work in his own power, which was failing. He chanced to read WE Boardman’s book “The higher Christian life” that talked about the Spirit as the one who sanctifies – makes us holy. He dove in with both feet, invited the Spirit to direct him, and it changed his life.
Albert was a powerful preacher and now he preached with intensity on the power of the Holy Spirit. Pulpits all over the city opened to him and he challenged them all to pray for the coming of the Spirit. He organized city wide revival meetings that went on for a year. The local paper noted a preparatory prayer meeting of 10,000 people.
Using the largest buildings in the city, thousands came and were saved. It was a marvelous time.
Albert longed to see greater numbers of people saved, but the church leadership was more interested in a new dignified building program – they were beginning to part ways. God was preparing him for a larger ministry – in New York City.
Is there a growing readiness to hear about Jesus in our busy, self centred, media soaked, ‘this world only’ environment? I think so. Let me challenge you to pray like Simpson did – that the Spirit would come! What an Encounter!
Pastor Leon Throness
Our pilgrimage to the Seven churches of Revelation next May is just about full. If you are interested, touch base with me soon.
