After Revival

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Last February, a large revival occurred in Wilmore, Kentucky. Following a routine chapel service, a student-led revival broke out at Asbury University (AU). Over 17 days, the small town welcomed an estimated 50,000 visitors. One weekend, so many guests flocked to Wilmore to see what the Lord was up to that it resulted in the closure of the entire city.

Shortly after it began, the revival made headlines, spreading to other universities, including Lee, Texas A&M, Samford, Baylor, and others. In a recent interview, Abby Laub, AU’s director of strategic communications, spoke with The Stand about how the “Outpouring” revival has impacted the campus and the city.

The Stand: What was the biggest takeaway from the 2023 revival?

Abby Laub: A key takeaway is that this generation is hungry for Jesus, and they are seeking him. They are hungry for something different than what the world is offering them. The Outpouring was led by students, and it was evident that the Holy Spirit was and is moving among their generation and so many others. And He is not done!

TS: How did the revival change the campus/the city?

AL: I’ve heard a lot of students say that before the Outpouring, the campus felt a bit spiritually cool and that there was a lack of unity and peace among the student body. These two weeks in February pulled together the students, faculty, and staff in immeasurable ways, reinforced Asbury’s mission as a Christian university, and provided great encouragement to all. It also served as a challenge to ensure Christ remains as our center in all we do and to always remember how the Holy Spirit moved in a very tangible way.

TS: What did this move of God reveal about college students and their desire to see the Lord work in their lives?

AL: If you look around the world right now, [you’ll] see rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among students – it is not a hopeful sight. But this event showed us that God is freely giving these students – and anyone else – a new, joy-filled way to live despite the circumstances of the world. The way that students from Asbury and approximately 200 other schools around the country showed up during the Outpouring made it clear that they want what He is freely giving. They want more Jesus and not what the world is offering that so often leads to destruction. They will need people in their lives to come alongside them to grow through discipleship. 

TS: Do you have a personal memory or reflections from the event? How did the Lord use that moment in your life?

AL: By far, the most impactful memory for me was Thursday morning, Feb. 9, before the crowds swelled. There were just a few dozen students in Hughes Auditorium, and they were sharing things publicly among their peers that were burdening them. For some, it was confessing addictions and struggles, [including their] issues [with] pornography, anxiety, and relational turmoil. They were surrounded by their peers who rushed in to pray over them. You could almost see the chains falling off. I will never forget that.