Asbury. Generation Z. Revival.

Going into last weekend, social media and many internet news outlets have been abuzz over a student led revival on the campus of Asbury University, a Wesleyan affiliated school southwest of Lexington, KY. Beginning on February 8, and continuing through last Sunday, the student led revival featured 24/7 prayer, worship, testimony, confession of sin, Scripture reading, silence, and more. People from around the world traveled to the campus to personally experience what was going on. People have reported passionate worship, brokenness, and prayer going on by everyone. News stories and blog posts on the Asbury Revival abound and I would advise you to do some quick google-searching to find out more specific details since space will not permit here.

Many young people (including some here at Cornerstone) have been very excited about this. My son called over last weekend and it was all he wanted to talk about. The revival has filled many people (of all ages) with hope for a much-needed spiritual revival in our nation, especially among those in Generation Z. We should all be encouraged to see so many young people openly expressing their desire for a relationship with God and being awakened to new spiritual realities. Obviously, I did not have a chance to go down and see the revival myself, but I have read enough opinion pieces (pro and con) over the last 10 days or so to share some of my thoughts with you. For brevity, I'll focus on the positive.

It was a movement fueled by the students, over 100 of them in fact, who responded to an invitation at a chapel service on February 8, repenting of sin. Many in their late teens and early twenties are hungry for life-transforming renewal so that they can serve their communities, schools, and churches. We should applaud that.

Asbury has sparked a larger movement on college campuses nationwide and across the world. Young people, driven by social media are posting firsthand accounts, pictures, and videos that have gone viral. Who would argue against more of our teens and college age people being more cognizant of God and adopting a biblically based worldview and morality? This could very well positively impact/change the culture that we love to complain so much about.
The revival has focused on Jesus and the life changing power He provides through the word of God. Who doesn’t need to hear more of repentance, the power of faith, the need for salvation/deliverance, and hope? Isn’t it a blessing to see people mourning over their sin, rather than wearing a PRIDE shirt?

These are all good and provide us with an opportunity to teach open and pliable hearts more accurately the word of the Lord. For our young people who are craving revival and a deeper connection with Christ and each other in this family, I want to encourage you in that pursuit. Cornerstone is committed to standing alongside parents as they facilitate ways for our young people to grow their relationships with Jesus and their local church. We do this through our regularly scheduled Bible classes and monthly devotionals and activities. Today a good number of us are in Pigeon Forge, TN at the Challenge Youth Conference, where there are over 10,000 people worshipping, singing, and having fellowship together. What a great opportunity this is to encourage our young people. They are getting to see this weekend that they aren't alone ... there are literally tens of thousands of other kids their age who are committed to Christ.

This August Cornerstone will hold the second annual Ignite Youth Conference, designed to tackle relevant issues that confront them every day ... all from a Biblical perspective. While certainly not on the size and scope of what is taking place this weekend, we have lots in store for what will be happening at this year's IGNITE. Planning is ongoing right now for the event. You can help! Get involved! Be intentional in connecting with our teens and twenty-something's. Opportunities to serve abound! The hope for our future is not as dark as we think. Right now, like maybe no time in the recent past, we have a chance to encourage our young people to real and impactful change. Are you on board?