2023 Asbury revival explained

2023 Asbury revival
Partof:Methodism
Duration:February 8, 2023–February 24, 2023
Venue:(Initially) Hughes Auditorium on the campus of Asbury University(Subsequently) Other buildings in Wilmore, McKenna and Estes Chapels on the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary; Great Commission Church and Mt Freedom Baptist Church.
Location:Asbury University (primary) and other colleges and seminaries in the United States
Also Known As:Asbury Outpouring, Asbury Awakening[1]
Cause:Undergraduate students remaining in Hughes Auditorium after weekly chapel services for spontaneous worship and prayer.
Participants:50,000–70,000

The 2023 Asbury revival was a Christian revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.[2] The revival was sparked by students spontaneously staying in Hughes Auditorium following a regularly scheduled chapel service on February 8, 2023. Following the gathering, Asbury President Kevin Brown sent out a brief two-sentence email: "There's worship happening in Hughes. You're welcome to join."[3] The news of the phenomenon quickly spread through social media and in Christian online publications.[4] The revival has been compared to similar revivals at Asbury, notably one that took place in 1970, which had far-reaching consequences in Methodism, culture of the United States, and the growth of the Jesus movement.[5] Notably, news of the revival largely spread on social media, as the participants were mainly members of Generation Z.[6] It was attended by approximately 15,000 people each day.[7] By its end, the revival brought 50,000–70,000 visitors to Wilmore, representing more than 200 academic institutions and multiple countries.[8] [9]

Background

Asbury University is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement, with chapel attendance being mandatory for students on designated weekdays. On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, a handful of students remained in the chapel following a regularly scheduled service. Undergrad Alison Perfater, student body president at the time, said in an interview with Tucker Carlson, that it was after a fellow student decided to openly confess some of his sins to the small group when "the atmosphere changed".[10] According to Perfater:

Initially only student publications, Methodist circles, and some social media posts shared news of the event. Asbury's history of revivals dates back to 1905, 1908, 1921, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1992, and 2006.[11] [12] The 1970 revival at Asbury had far-reaching cultural effects, and remains central to the construction of Asbury's spiritual identity.[13] The revival has been described as calm, with some commentators having noted the absence of many contemporary worship features.[14] The revival was additionally significant because of its spread on social media, particularly among Generation Z, the most irreligious generation in US history.[15] On February 15, hashtag "asburyrevival" had over 24 million views on TikTok, which increased to 63 million by February 18.[16]

Responses to the revival in the same time-frame were reported at other university campuses, such as Samford University,[17] Cedarville University[18] and University of the Cumberlands.[19] The revival notably is ecumenical in its expression, with Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic groups participating in its spread.[20] [21] Visitors told The Washington Post stories of "miracles and healing" they witnessed at the event, along with unparalleled hospitality by locals and students.[22] [23]

Timeline

!Date!Event!Notes
8 February 2023Undergraduates remain in the auditorium following the conclusion of the morning chapel service[24] for prayer. The first report of the revival is in the student newspaper, The Asbury Collegian. News of the phenomenon spread on social media via the personal accounts of students.Similarities are immediately noted with a similar religious revival at Asbury in 1970.[25]
9 February 2023Students remain in the auditorium throughout the night. The revival continues into its second day.It is estimated that the crowd drops to 50 at its lowest point in the night.
10 February 2023Students remain in the auditorium throughout the day. Students begin to set up coffee stations. While non-students are present, the participants appear to be largely members of the student body.[26] [27] The event starts to receive coverage from local media.[28] Online pictures of the auditorium show it at capacity.[29]
11 February 2023The revival continues through the fourth day. Crowds begin to swell in Hughes Auditorium as local media coverage continues.Online pictures of the auditorium show it beyond capacity.
12 February 2023Revival continues into its fifth day. Buses and vans from various churches and other religious institutions are observed arriving at Asbury for the revival. Asbury Theological Seminary's Estes Chapel, McKenna Chapel, and other buildings on campus are open for overflow crowds.Facebook group is started to collect media of the event Asbury University Revival / Outpouring
13 February 2023Revival continues into its sixth continuous day. Asbury Theological Seminary's Estes Chapel continues to be open for overflow crowds.[30] [31] [32]
13 February 2023Seminarians at Virginia Theological Seminary lead Wesley's Covenant Service in response to the revival. Students at Cedarville University hold a worship service in response to the revival.[33] [34] The event was organized by the Methodist Society of the Episcopal Church according to an announcement on Twitter.[35] Cedarville University is a Baptist-affiliated institution.
14 February 2023Revival Continues through the seventh continuous day.[36] [37]
14 February 2023At least 22 other institutions travel to Asbury for the revival. Some of these institutions did so in official capacities, while others were unofficial appearances of students and faculty. Students at Campbellsville University and Lee University remain in worship in response to the revival.Campbellsville is a Baptist-affiliated institution, while Lee is a Church of God-Cleveland affiliated university.
15 February 2023Revival continues into its eighth day. The revival receives coverage from The Washington Post. Asbury Seminary's regularly scheduled chapel services overflow. Hughes Auditorium is closed by Asbury students to all people 26 and over, a decision made to prioritize the voices of Generation Z. A simulcast of Hughes Auditorium is set up in Estes and McKenna Chapels.
15 February 2023Students at Samford University remain in worship in response to the revival according to an announcement from the university's president on Twitter.[38] [39] Students have remained in worship since then.[40] Samford is a Baptist-affiliated institution.[41]
16 February 2023Revival continues into its ninth day. An announcement that Hughes Auditorium is closed from 1:00 AM to 12:00 PM and that livestreaming is banned in Hughes Auditorium and the chapels is made on Asbury University's official Instagram account.[42] Asbury University establishes a set schedule for the revival, published on their website. The university marks February 24 as an end date for services held on Asbury's campus.[43] [44] Asbury sends a letter to the parents of students addressing the revival.[45]
17 February 2023Revival continues into its tenth day. Following the university's regularly scheduled chapel service, Hughes Auditorium is opened to the public, again giving seating preference to those in high school through age 25 (Generation Z). At 5pm a fourth external venue, Mt. Freedom Baptist Church, was added to service the thousands lined up in the cold waiting for space in Hughes Auditorium.Drone footage captures lines several blocks long after Hughes Auditorium is full.
18 February 2023Revival continues through its eleventh day. Security concerns over "tens of thousands" of visitors heighten among both government and Asbury officials.[46]
19 February 2023Revival continues into its twelfth day. Last day of evening services for the public.[47] [48]
21 February 2023The university announces the service will be moved to accommodate the significant number of people attending, although the exact location(s) is/are not given.
24 February 2023The university announces that no more outpouring services would be scheduled through the university.[49]

Measles case

An unvaccinated person from Jessamine County, Kentucky who attended the revival on 18 February 2023 tested positive for the measles following their attendance at the revival.[50] [51] [52] The case was the third in Kentucky in the three months before the revival.[53] Unvaccinated attendees were asked by public health officials to quarantine for 21 days following exposure and then get immunized.[54] [55]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Willingham . A. J. . A nonstop worship gathering at a Kentucky school echoes an old Christian tradition . CNN . 19 February 2023 . en . 18 February 2023 . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219200621/https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/18/us/asbury-revival-christian-what-is-cec/index.html . live .
  2. Web site: Outpouring . 2023-02-27 . Asbury University . en-US . February 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218225843/https://www.asbury.edu/outpouring/ . live .
  3. Web site: Kast . Monica . February 22, 2023 . As Asbury revival winds down, participants say experience 'redirected our priorities' . February 27, 2023 . Lexington Herald Leader.
  4. B. J. Oropeza, "The Current Revival in Asbury: Sensing the Presence of God and 4 Principles from the Past " Patheos/General Christian/In Christ (February 16, 2023)
  5. Web site: Presta . Alexandra . 2023-02-08 . Revival strikes Asbury once again . 2023-02-16 . The Asbury Collegian . en-US . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216004708/http://www.theasburycollegian.com/2023/02/revival-strikes-asbury-once-again/ . live .
  6. Web site: A nonstop Kentucky prayer 'revival' is going viral on TikTok, and people are travelling thousands of miles to take part . 2023-02-16 . NBC News . en . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216004707/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/asbury-university-revival-college-kentucky-going-viral-tiktok-rcna70686 . live .
  7. Web site: Asbury relocates revival off campus, following overcrowding – Premier Christian News Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis . 2023-02-23 . premierchristian.news . en . February 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230223200746/https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/asbury-relocates-revival-off-campus-following-overcrowding . live .
  8. Web site: Lanum . Nikolas . 2023-02-25 . Asbury revival brings 'beautiful disruption' and multi-generational community to post-COVID world . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230225202007/https://www.foxnews.com/media/asbury-revival-beautiful-disruption-multi-generational-community-christian-covid . February 25, 2023 . 2023-02-27 . Fox News . en-US.
  9. Web site: Asbury University student uses map to track worshipers who came to 'revival' services . 2023-02-28 . WDRB . en.
  10. Web site: DeSoto . Randy . Carlson: Asbury Revival 'Amazing,' People Turning to Spiritual Life to Counter Evil in the World . Independent Journal Review . Western Journal . 19 February 2023 . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219044743/https://ijr.com/carlson-asbury-revival-amazing-people-turning-spiritual-life/ . live .
  11. Web site: Revivals . 2023-02-17 . Asbury University . en-US . February 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230215053712/https://www.asbury.edu/academics/resources/library/archives/history/revivals/ . live .
  12. Web site: A nonstop revival breaks out at Kentucky college. Now, it's viral on TikTok . 2023-02-19 . The Courier-Journal . en-US . February 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230227143307/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2023/02/17/asbury-university-revival-in-kentucky-goes-viral-tiktok/69913997007/ . live .
  13. News: Why students at a Kentucky Christian school are praying and singing round the clock . en-US . Washington Post . 2023-02-16 . 0190-8286 . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216001151/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2023/02/15/asbury-university-christian-revival/ . live .
  14. Web site: 23 February 2023 . A Christian college in Kentucky has experienced a religious awakening . https://web.archive.org/web/20230226171859/https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/02/23/a-christian-college-in-kentucky-has-experienced-a-religious-awakening . 26 February 2023 . The Economist.
  15. Web site: Generation Z and the Future of Faith in America . 2023-02-16 . The Survey Center on American Life . en . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216031429/https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/generation-z-future-of-faith/ . live .
  16. Web site: Asbury Revival on TikTok . TikTok . 19 February 2023 . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219051228/https://www.tiktok.com/tag/asburyrevival?lang=en . live .
  17. Web site: 2023-02-17 . Revival Spreads to Cedarville and Samford Universities: 'God Is Working on Our Campus' . 2023-02-27 . CBN News . en . February 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222124631/https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2023/february/revival-spreads-to-cedarville-and-samford-universities-god-is-working-on-our-campus . live .
  18. Web site: Gryboski . Michael . 2023-02-16 . Cedarville University experiencing 'outpouring of the Lord' in campus revival . 2023-02-27 . The Christian Post . en-US . February 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230225210625/https://www.christianpost.com/news/ohio-school-having-outpouring-of-the-lord-in-revival-event.html . live .
  19. Web site: Gryboski . Michael . 2023-02-17 . University of the Cumberlands seeing 'evidence of the Lord's work' at student-led worship gatherings . 2023-02-27 . The Christian Post . en-US . February 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230225210614/https://www.christianpost.com/news/cumberlands-university-seeing-the-lords-work-at-revival.html . live .
  20. Web site: 'Jesus was right next to me': Asbury revival sets Catholics on fire with Holy Spirit . 2023-02-21 . Detroit Catholic . en-US . February 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230221234509/https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/jesus-was-right-next-to-me-asbury-revival-sets-catholics-on-fire-with-holy-spirit . live .
  21. Web site: Danker . Ryan . February 28, 2023 . THE ASBURY REVIVAL . March 1, 2023 . Living Church.
  22. Web site: Ferguson . Amber . Nonstop worship service at a Kentucky college is spreading through TikTok . Washington Post . 19 February 2023 . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219221651/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2023/02/18/asbury-university-revival-kentucky/ . live .
  23. News: The Asbury revival is over. What happens now? . en-US . Washington Post . 2023-03-07 . 0190-8286.
  24. Web site: Love in Action Series: Rev. Zach Meerkreebs – 02/08/2023 . 2023-02-18 . Asbury University . en-US . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219024603/https://www.asbury.edu/podcasts/108559/ . live .
  25. Web site: Revivals . 2023-02-16 . Asbury University . en-US . February 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230215053712/https://www.asbury.edu/academics/resources/library/archives/history/revivals/ . live .
  26. Web site: Presta . Alexandra . 2023-02-10 . All because of Jesus: the third day of revival . 2023-02-16 . The Asbury Collegian . en-US . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216021138/http://www.theasburycollegian.com/2023/02/all-because-of-jesus-the-third-day-of-revival/ . live .
  27. Web site: Presta . Alexandra . 2023-02-10 . A revival update: 'How Great is Our God' . 2023-02-16 . The Asbury Collegian . en-US . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216021145/http://www.theasburycollegian.com/2023/02/a-revival-update-how-great-is-our-god/ . live .
  28. Web site: Asbury Revival 2023 Testimony . 2023-02-16 . Kentucky Today . en . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216031423/https://www.kentuckytoday.com/asbury-revival-2023-testimony/video_6d63f332-a9b6-11ed-8a31-37e3549b09fe.html . live .
  29. Web site: Revival fires stir again at Asbury Baptist Press . 2023-02-16 . Baptist Press . en-US . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216031423/https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/revival-fires-stir-again-at-asbury/ . live .
  30. Web site: Pendleton . Phil . Days-long 'spontaneous revival' continues at Asbury University . 2023-02-16 . Mountain NewsWYMT . en . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216014314/https://www.wymt.com/2023/02/13/days-long-spontaneous-revival-continues-kentucky-university/ . live .
  31. Web site: 2023-02-13 . Revival Underway at Asbury University in Kentucky: 'The Holy Spirit Was Tangible in the Room' . 2023-02-16 . CBN News . en . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216031438/https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2023/february/revival-underway-at-asbury-university-in-kentucky-the-holy-spirit-was-tangible-in-the-room . live .
  32. Web site: 2023-02-13 . Revival service at Asbury University continues after 125 hours . 2023-02-16 . FOX 56 News . en-US . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216031429/https://fox56news.com/news/local/revival-service-at-asbury-university-continues-after-125-hours/ . live .
  33. Web site: Today . CHIP HUTCHESON, Kentucky . Revival spreading to other colleges and universities . 2023-02-16 . Kentucky Today . en . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216014311/https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist_life/revival-spreading-to-other-colleges-and-universities/article_3d8c4e14-acab-11ed-a867-af396e32f340.html . live .
  34. Web site: Staff . RELEVANT . 2023-02-15 . The Asbury Revival Is Spreading to Other Universities . 2023-02-16 . RELEVANT . en-US . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216014311/https://relevantmagazine.com/current/buzzworthy/the-asbury-revival-is-spreading-to-other-universities/ . live .
  35. 1624937094991806465. @MethodistSoc. In response to those in the Methodist movement seeking, praying for, and participating in revival, join us at 8PM via live stream or in person at Virginia Theological Seminary's Octagon Room (in the chapel) for a Wesleyan Covenant Service. #asburyrevival. Methodist Society of the Episcopal Church.
  36. Web site: Smietana . Bob . 2023-02-14 . Why students at a Kentucky Christian school are praying and singing round the clock . 2023-02-16 . Religion News Service . en-US . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216031423/https://religionnews.com/2023/02/14/asbury-revival-why-are-students-at-a-small-christian-school-in-kentucky-praying-singing-round-the-clock-for-a-week/ . live .
  37. Web site: Staff . RELEVANT . 2023-02-15 . Christian Leaders Are Sharing Their Experiences at the Asbury Revival . 2023-02-16 . RELEVANT . en-US . February 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216054727/https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/christian-leaders-are-sharing-their-experiences-at-the-asbury-revival/ . live .
  38. 1626363010955505665. @BeckTaylor. I just spent 90 minutes w/ students in Reid Chapel. Hundreds lined the pews & aisles singing, praying, giving witness to the Lord. It's real, genuine, vulnerable, passionate, biblical, and all about Jesus. I asked some students what they found encouraging. Here's their responses:. Beck A. Taylor.
  39. Web site: 2023-02-17 . Samford students unite in 'unscripted' revival service The Alabama Baptist . 2023-02-19 . The Alabama Bpbaptist . en-US .
  40. Web site: rserven@al.com . Ruth Serven Smith . 2023-02-17 . Samford campus revival, inspired by Asbury University, reaches third day . 2023-02-19 . AL.com . en . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219212252/https://www.al.com/educationlab/2023/02/samford-campus-revival-inspired-by-asbury-reaches-third-day.html . live .
  41. Web site: Samford's Mission, Vision and Values . 2023-02-19 . Samford . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219045946/https://www.samford.edu/about/mission . live .
  42. Web site: Outpouring . 2023-02-18 . Asbury University . en-US . February 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218225843/https://www.asbury.edu/outpouring/ . live .
  43. Web site: Outpouring . 2023-02-19 . Asbury University . en-US . February 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218225843/https://www.asbury.edu/outpouring/ . live .
  44. Web site: 2023-02-18 . Asbury University releases schedule for revival, including final public service . 2023-02-19 . LEX 18 News – Lexington, KY (WLEX) . en . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219045946/https://www.lex18.com/news/wilmore-police-address-safety-issues-for-asbury-revival . live .
  45. Web site: Today . MARK MAYNARD AND CHIP HUTCHESON, Kentucky . Asbury University making tweaks to schedule next week . 2023-02-19 . Kentucky Today . en . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219045946/https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist_life/asbury-university-making-tweaks-to-schedule-next-week/article_f520dc62-ae5d-11ed-a5a0-fb088b7fdaba.html . live .
  46. Web site: Tombs . Jeremy . Asbury University addresses public safety concerns, schedules end of revival on campus . 2023-02-19 . WKYT . en . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219212255/https://www.wkyt.com/2023/02/19/asbury-university-addresses-public-safety-concerns-schedules-end-revival-campus/ . live .
  47. Web site: Today . MARK MAYNARD, Kentucky . Sunday will be last public evening service at Asbury University . 2023-02-19 . Kentucky Today . en . February 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230219212253/https://www.kentuckytoday.com/baptist_life/sunday-will-be-last-public-evening-service-at-asbury-university/article_20894000-b003-11ed-aa74-eb17f4a25b9a.html . live .
  48. Web site: Nonstop revival at Kentucky college to hold last public evening service Sunday . 2023-02-19 . The Enquirer . en-US . February 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230223044020/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/2023/02/19/asbury-university-christian-revival-to-move-to-new-location/69921137007/ . live .
  49. Web site: Staff . WKYT News . Asbury University revival comes to an end . 2023-02-27 . WKYT News . en . February 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230225012951/https://www.wkyt.com/2023/02/23/asbury-university-revival-comes-an-end/ . live .
  50. Web site: Staff . WKYT News . Tombs . Jeremy . Health officials: New measles case linked to Asbury revival . 2023-02-28 . www.wave3.com . en.
  51. Web site: Niemeyer . Kenneth . Kentucky health department links measles case to a religious 'revival' at a Christian college that had to be disbanded after it went viral on TikTok . 2023-02-28 . Insider . en-US.
  52. Web site: Measles case in Kentucky linked to viral Christian revival at Asbury University, officials say . 2023-02-28 . MSN . en-US.
  53. Web site: Key . Jennie . Measles case in Kentucky linked to viral Christian revival at Asbury University, officials say . 2023-02-28 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  54. Web site: Murray . Rebekah Riess,Ben Tinker,Kelly . 2023-02-25 . Measles case confirmed in a person who attended Kentucky spiritual revival event . 2023-02-28 . CNN . en.
  55. Web site: Keck . Matthew . 2023-02-25 . Health officials: Person who attended Asbury University revival tested positive for measles . 2023-02-28 . WLKY . en.

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