The presence of God was so thick that you could feel it as soon as you walked through the doors of Hughes Auditorium. Students sang praises to God and lined up at the front of the auditorium to share testimonies.
This was the scene at Asbury on Feb. 3, 1970. A revival started during chapel that day and spurred 144 hours of unbroken revival on campus that eventually spread far beyond Wilmore.
The day started out like any other day at Asbury. Dean Custer B. Reynolds was scheduled to speak, but instead of delivering a message, he invited audience members to come up and share personal testimonies because it was where he felt the Spirit was leading him. Soon after his invitation, a large group of students was lined up to speak.
“Within minutes the Spirit came and everyone felt His unexplainable presence,” said 1972 graduate Paul Veldhuizen. “The greatest thing I constantly witnessed and experienced was our equality before Him. We all were overwhelmed — the eternal power did not berate us, and conviction came because of His holiness enveloping us in love. That is with me to this day.”
The atmosphere was so powerful that students spent almost all of their time in Hughes, and classes were cancelled for an entire week.
“Loud shouts of praise erupted from the audience; it was a watershed moment at which I believe the Holy Spirit fell on us all filling that Holy place,” said 1973 graduate Timothy Waltz. “It was exhilarating and astounding. I couldn’t sleep for three days and nights. I only left Hughes to eat, shower and change clothes all those days. It was just too exciting to miss anything. The praying, the singing, the praises and just experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of this great revival, and special services have been planned in honor of the historic event. Events will start on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. with the showing of the documentary about the revival titled “When God Comes.” The documentary will be followed by a night of prayer and remembering.
“Beth Kinlaw (‘69) Coppedge and Dr. Steve Seamands (‘70) will share their testimony of the revival, and Dr. Sandra Gray will lead a time of praying for revival on our campus, in our community, in our nation and in our world,” said campus chaplain Jeannie Banter.
Monday, Feb. 3 will be dedicated to celebrating the anniversary. The day will start with a special two-hour chapel.
“The two-hour chapel on Monday will include a showing of the documentary ‘When God Comes,’ which gives an account of the events of the 1970s revival and its wide-reaching impact,” said Banter. “Dr. Bounds will share about revival and how God has moved through special moves of the Spirit throughout the years. In addition, we’ll have the opportunity to hear firsthand testimony of the revival from Jeannine Brabon ’71 and Judge Tim Philpot ‘73. Both have different, powerful testimonies of how God moved in their lives through the revival. There will also be times to worship through singing and prayer.”
After chapel there will be a panel in the Gray Room, where panelists will give firsthand accounts of their experiences during the revival. Following the lunch panel there will be a coffee break in Kinlaw Library, then a reading from “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” by Rebecca Price Janney in the Kinlaw Board Room. Janney’s novel takes place during the 1970 revival.
The day will conclude with a hymn sing, which will feature important songs from the revival.
“Monday night, students will have the opportunity to receive chapel credit for attending the Revival Hymn Sing and stories,” said Banter. “Worship through singing was a significant part of the 1970s revival. During this event we will sing many of the hymns that were impactful during the revival.”
The festivities are open to everyone. The schedule can be found online, along with other information about the history and celebration of the revival.