IT HAS been my privilege to attend many Bible conferences and retreats. The youth who have attended have usually returned to their campuses revived. Unfortunately though, until recently the revivals have been generally short-lived. Was it the choking atmosphere of the academy or college campus that snuffed out the new flames of revival? We think, surely here would be fertile ground for spiritual awakening. Not so! "Enthusiasm does not often accompany scholarship. Religious fervor generally declines with the advance of education." 1 From this statement we could conclude that the campus is hardly the best place to spawn a revival and reformation.
Just such thoughts were etched out in verbal symbols at the conclusion of a routine retreat held at Camp Michiana near Andrews University on October 10, 1970. I was faithfully plowing through the college circuit and was at the end of a neat, long row of visits that had taken me to six colleges. I had become more and more excited at what was happening. For me it was definitely a springtime in the fall! Seeds faithfully planted by parent, preacher, or teacher that for long years had lain dormant beneath the rocky soil were suddenly sprouting. Revivals were taking place!
The topic of study at this retreat was prayer. The voluntary gathering of about ninety, mostly undergraduate students simply did just that they prayed. Under the experienced ministry of E. L. Minchin, thoughts were directed toward the cultivation of the devotional life. The accumulation of forty-six years of rich ministry among Seventh-day Adventist youth was poured out in simple, direct, and clear presentations. No attempt was made to create excitement.
On Friday evening after a soul-stirring singspiration I knew that the sermon presentation I had planned was not appropriate and immediately thought of the instruction:
Strive to arouse men and women from their spiritual insensibility. Tell them how you found Jesus, and how blessed you have been since you gained an experience in His service. Tell them what blessing comes to you as you sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn precious lessons from His Word. Tell them of the gladness and joy that there is in the Christian life. Your warm, fervent words will convince them that you have found the pearl of great price. . . . As it is done, many will awake as from a dream.2
Things Begin to Happen
I saw these words become an experience that night following the simple testimony of my conversion. After uniting our surrender in the song, "Now I Belong to Jesus," we left for a campfire on the chilly Michigan hillside. The Spirit of God had already touched many lives during the semiformal discussion groups of the morning and after noon. Given entrance, He now made a strong impression on all of us. Soon those assembled broke out in spontaneous testimonies. A recurring feature was, "I have been an Adventist all my life, but I've never been a Christian until now I want Jesus to walk with me." Confessions, convictions, submissions, all manner of testimony was given, and everyone present was moved. About two hours later we sang our way to the cabins.
The remainder of the weekend was characterized by deep earnestness on the part of all, a searching of the heart and the Word with prayer and fellowship.
A communion service had been scheduled for 7:30 Sunday morning. Elder Minchin delivered God's Word to the Spirit-readied group gathered about an esthetically appealing table. A solemn hush characterized this ceremony. Again, all those present felt the moving of the Lord's Spirit. An opportunity was given for expressions of praise for our Lord's atonement. Many who had not surrendered to Jesus previously did so now, and this unstructured service continued until ten o'clock, when breakfast was served. The scrambled eggs were stiff and cold, but our hearts were soft and warm. The rest of the day was spent discussing how we might preserve this new experience once the students returned to the campus. Emphasis was placed on maintaining a strong devotional life, praying for specific persons, encouraging group prayer participation, and demonstrating practical deeds of Christian love and concern. It worked!
During his visit, H. M. S. Richards, Jr., had casually mentioned a need for money to mail out 30,000 Wayout folders. So Monday night students made an appeal to their friends to give an offering. They collected $2,100 in five hours.
The Revival Blossoms
On Sunday I returned to Washington, D.C., to join the Autumn Council already in session. On Tuesday Elder Pierson, who had made the solemn call to revival and reformation back in 1966, received a call from Andrews University from the clean of students, Dr. M. O. Manley, who reported that a "routine" 9:00 A.M. assembly had just ended at 12:20 P.M. The retreaters had merely reported on their new love and then had invited others to come forward and indicate their desire to participate in a revival and reformation of life. Some say that three fourths of those present went forward. The revival continued to blossom. Students called their parents both to share the good news and to confess their sins.
Later on Tuesday two freshmen insisted on sharing their new faith with friends at nearby Battle Creek Academy, whose students were in retreat at Camp Au Sable. A great awe came to the group as they recognized the tremendous change in the two young men. Many accepted Christ anew.
Meanwhile prayer groups were springing up all over the residence halls at Andrews University. Thursday night I returned to the campus. In the men's hall I chanced upon a prayer group and listened to the stirring testimonies of Tuesday's victorious ones. One student declared, "I'm going to my church this Sabbath to preach. I want to help make up for all the times I led others astray." He did go. There was a revival. Friday night in a faculty member's home the assembled Berrien Springs Academy students heard the good news. They were astonished; they responded; and the revival expanded!
That Sabbath, the seventeenth of October, at Andrews University will never be forgotten by those who attended the services. Throughout the week hundreds of revived students and faculty members had been praying that this revival would touch those who had heretofore not submitted their lives in complete surrender to Christ. The air was heavy with anticipation as I stood in the pulpit, for we knew the Lord's Spirit was working mightily among us. I closed my message with a simple appeal to surrender, to repent, and to separate from the world. Pastor John Kroncke and I had hoped for perhaps four hundred to respond to the call. Almost the entire congregation stood and moved forward, filling the aisles. What a lesson in faith! I suggested they turn to their nearest fellow-Christian, present their testimony, then fellowship in prayer. Like the sound of mighty waters the voices of the group ascended. For fifteen minutes this continued. We closed our service singing songs of hope.
In a subsequent Sabbath service the faculty were specifically invited and they responded to the call to renewed dedication, pledging themselves by God's grace to be revived and to lead out in reformation.
All-Night Prayer Meeting
A recent report tells of an all-night prayer meeting with an attendance of never less than three hundred persons. President Hammill led out in the 2:00-3:00 A.M. devotional period, his colleagues joining at other hours. Victories too numerous to mention, and miracles of varying degrees, continued to take place.
There was an immediate desire to expand the witness to other campuses. One group accompanied me on a visit to Oakwood College. A singular response was made on Sabbath and scores came forward to give their lives to their loving Saviour. Another group visited Atlantic Union College with similar results.
The revival that came to Columbia Union College could be compared to that of Andrews University. Eighteen young people from Andrews came down to a prepared campus where the seeds of revival had already been sown. The Andrews University youth were given opportunity to take both Sabbath services at Sligo church, but only after Pastor Dale Hannah, and Associate Pastor Bill Haynor had personally investigated the revival at Andrews. Their report: "It's unbelievable, it's wonderful!" These youth so recently "turned off" regarding God and the church invaded the platform. With the Word of God in their hands they poured out testimonies of praise, often reading at length from the Epistles in the Living New Testament. Those participating included members of the community, Takoma Academy, and Columbia Union College students. Some had made their decision as recently as the night before. Now with faces aglow these victorious young people stepped up to give further invitations to the members of this large church. The testimonies continued until 2:30 P.M., and were broadcast live to the city over WGTS-FM, the college radio station. One preacher of another faith called saying, "Praise the Lord for the revival." By telephone a retiree wanted her testimony added too. Saturday night an all-night prayer meeting resulted in many conversions and more miracles of God's grace.
The broadening out of this revival and reformation is taking place. Groups of Andrews students have visited every academy and church within driving distance, and continue to do so. This has been repeated in the Columbia Union by Columbia Union College students. Almost everywhere they go revivals begin.
These are not the only revivals. The omniscience of the Holy Spirit makes possible simultaneous revivals. At Union College and Kingsway College on the same weekend a wonderful refreshing was experienced. Last year's academy revivals are being eclipsed this year by a deeper and broader work. As reports come in they all have the same story---revival and reformation on an unprecedented scale.
An Evaluation
Now, it is not "our work to create excitement. The Holy Spirit of God alone can create a healthy enthusiasm." 3 "It would be surprising if there were not some, who, not being well-balanced in mind have spoken and acted indiscreetly"4 because Satan "is always active when God is at work for the salvation of souls. ... In every revival he is ready to bring in those who are unsanctified in heart and unbalanced in mind. . . . Satan is frequently there upon the most solemn occasions in the form of those whom he can use as his agents." 5 But "let not doubt and unbelief question" that the Saviour has passed through these churches, "for in so doing you are treading on dangerous ground. . . . Sow not one expression of doubt." 6
While it is true that "with some, religious exercises mean little more than a good time. When their feelings are aroused, they think they are greatly blessed. . . . The intoxication of excitement is the object they are seeking." 7 Cold formalism is the opposite of fanaticism. Both are satanic delusions.8 Still there are many who take the view that they will wait and see.
This work will produce the greatest challenge to every youth leader and pastor. Confronted with these youth some two-week-old Christians with dresses cut and tresses uncut what should the church pastor do about it? It is tactless, yes, criminal, to say to a teenager who is reading the Bible and praying for the first time that his revival is of Satan. This has happened.
Don't despise the revival if all the church does not receive it, for the whole church will never be revived."9 True conversion is a change from selfishness to sanctified affection for God and for one another." 10
These revivals and reformations should: (1) Elevate the Word of God as the source of truth, (2) direct the minds to the Word rather than themselves, (3) teach obedience to the truth by which they are sanctified, (4) turn the mind to the solid evidences of the truth, and (5) create a sincere desire to do good for others.
The burden now rests on those walking in the light to instruct those young in experience to walk in the light after they have received light.11 Insofar as you have been ordained as God's spokesman, "the Holy Spirit is not for the human agent to work; it is to work and use the human agent." 12
Tragically, "we have far more to fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and success are far greater from the church itself than from the world." 13 You can do much to change this picture. The church depends on your response.
In this burning new day among our reviving youth we need an enriched flaming experience that will ignite lost lives and bring Christ's warmth to a chilled church as the shades of this night fall fast.
REFERENCES
1. SAMUEL CHADWIOK, The Way to Pentecost, p. 14.
2. Evangelism, p. 486.
3. Selected Messages, book 2, p. 16.
4. Ibid. book 1, p. 142.
5. The Great Controversy, pp. 395. 396.
6 Selected Messages, book 1, p. 142.
7. Ibid, book 2, p. 21.
8. Ibid., p. 19.
9. Ibid., book 1, p. 122.
10. Ibid., p. 115.
11. Ibid., pp. 131, 132.
12. Ibid., p. 130.
13. Ibid., p. 122.
