The day after a female who called herself a male murdered six people, Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett on Tuesday was asked if Congress, or any legislative body, could do anything about such atrocities from happening again. He said, “I don’t see any real role that we could do [in Congress] other than mess things up.”
And then he gave the only real answer to a society being reduced to secular ashes by Marxists: “You know, as we talk about in the church, and I’ve said this many times, I think we really need a revival in this country.”
Burchett, a 54-year-old Republican from Knoxville with an 84 Freedom Index rating from The John Birch Society, is serving his third term in Congress, representing citizens in the state’s 18th district.
He didn’t mention that the revival that the country needs is already taking place, being largely ignored by the mainstream media. The media was forced to pay attention in February to the Asbury Revival when they learned that between 50,000 and 70,000 people had poured into tiny Wilmore, Kentucky, home of both Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary.
The ripple effect from that revival spread to other college campuses, including Samford (Ohio) and Cedarville (Alabama) Universities, and University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. As the revival spread to other campuses like Campbellsville University (Kentucky) and Lee University (Tennessee), The Washington Post was forced to give it coverage.
Baylor University is now in the throes of a similar revival (FM72) in which students have just completed 72 hours of continuous prayer and worship at its Fountain Mall. Charles Ramsey, associate chaplain and director for Baylor’s Campus Ministries, said, “The purpose of FM72 is to stir a passion for Jesus Christ in the Baylor community,” adding:
It is time to take inventory of one’s own journey, to linger in prayer, and to recalibrate towards what is most important: our shared faith in Jesus Christ.
Similar revivals are expected to break out even in states where Christ’s name is either ignored or scorned, such as California. Following a 40-day fast, evangelists Lou Engle and Mando Matthews are gearing up for “Hope California” and have already booked 10 stadiums for the crowds of thousands expected to attend.
A ”Fill the Stadium” event is scheduled to begin on April 9 at the 86,000-seat Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Sponsored by evangelist Nick Hall, it’s expected to be the largest student-led outreach in recent history.
And in little Hammond, Louisiana (population 21,000), a local church is experiencing a revival that, according to Brian Lester of the Voice of Hope Ministries, has already attracted more than 25,000 people. It’s now in its 20th week, and continues with prayer and worship services held weekday nights.
Previous revivals, such as the one Asbury University experienced in 1970, had a far-reaching impact on the culture, and the Great Awakenings early in the life of the American Republic impacted and nourished the birth and spiritual growth of the Republic from its beginning.
As missionary to India William Carey famously said: “Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God.”
