It's Time Again...Revival

2020 - 2022 for us was a total move of God’s Spirit. Only God gets the credit for everything that happened in the span of two and a half years. We seen so many come to salvation for the first time. We saw people receive the message of salvation and experience the love, grace, mercy and forgiveness that Jesus Christ offers. We saw hundreds baptized in the Holy Spirit and many miracles, signs & wonders that are only possible through a move of God’s Spirit. Most importantly we have seen many people sent out into the world and many others raised up into their callings in life and ministry. I am truly humble and grateful for all God has done.

Prior to this move of God’s Spirit in December of 2019 late in the evening sitting in front of my computer I heard a whisper. I heard “REVIVAL, ITS TIME”. All the prayers for over a decade and the Holy Spirit was saying it was time. Then in March of 2020 about 3 weeks before covid I heard “PREPARE FOR REVIVAL”. Weeks later the world was shut down with 10 days to slow the spread and that is when everything in the kingdom began to accelerate. Revival broke out in our home which led to the fields, acreages, barns, tents, homes and a move of God’s Spirit in many cities and places across the Midwest. A team of us planted a local church and in May of 2020. We hosted the first ever Christian event at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa. It was an outstanding move of God!

Over the next months you could feel alittle bit of a settling and God really began to work on us in the summer and fall of 2022. It was the most intense time of purifying, refinement and even chastening I had ever received from Lord. These months were so intense I was unsure how I was going to make it through this season of trial. It was like everything within me that was not of Christ was being brought to light and all things were being set right for the coming season at hand. In order for us to carry Revival everything needs to be purified and burnt up that is not of Christ! Every motive, desire, plan, dream needs to be brought to the feet of Jesus and surrendered. In Hebrews 12 the Lord talks about disciplining His sons…

 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.  And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”

 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.  Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. - Hebrews 12:3-11

After this time of discipline with the Lord in Hebrews the writer talks about being strengthened again, living in peace with people and pursuing holiness in the Lord. Without it we will not see Him. Essentially as you continue to read the book of Hebrews He is preparing the church for great glory and great shaking as the kindgom is released on the earth. It is glorious! As we came through this season of refinement you no longer feel able to continue which is actually great. Christ then raises us up to continue in His strength rather than your own. Its only after we have died to ourselves that we can be used by the Lord.

Galatians 2:20 says…
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

At the end of this journey in the early part of February one night I heard another whisper from the Holy Spirit. “IT’S TIME AGAIN”. I knew immediately that meant Revival! Also on Sunday, January 9, 2023 during worship the Holy Spirit gave me a vision of a volcano getting ready to erupt. I heard the words “College Revival” and got up after worship and released the message to the church not knowing that within 10 days the Asbury Revival would begin. The Holy Spirit is so good and such a great helper, friend, comforter and guide letting us know what is to come. I am truly grateful for the leading of the Holy Spirit!

Within 10 days the Asbury Revival began and we felt prompting to take the family on a road trip to Wilmore Kentucky. Here is what we experienced.

Our time at the Asbury Outpouring

From the moment we left Iowa on our road trip to Kentucky the Holy Spirit was moving. We pulled into a city called Kingdom City in Missouri. Immediately I saw a sign that said Fulton Street which brought me to think on the great Fulton Street Revival of 1857 where Jeremiah Lanphier, a business man started a noon prayer meeting that led over 1 million to Christ. We get gas in Kingdom City and the sign says refresh, revive, refuel As we leave Kingdom City I am thinking about how the Lord is releasing his kingdom into the hearts of men and women all across the world. A kingdom that cannot be shaken!

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. - Hebrews 12:28

As we travel down the road a white car is along the side of the road literally on fire and the engine is burning up! You can’t make this stuff up!

We pull into Kentucky and turn on a tiny road with horse stables all over the place and the beautiful rolling hills of Kentucky. For 30 miles straight all the way into Asbury this is what we saw. Horses and stables and more horses. Immediately I thought about how the Lord is releasing his horses and his runners for revival into the world to go bring in the final harvest of souls. Also thought about the releasing of the horses in the book of revelation and where we are possibly at biblically!

As we drove into Asbury an overwhelming sense of peace came over me. It was absolutely amazing. Cars all over with cops directing traffic and a sign that read “Revival over Capacity”. An outpouring of the Holy Spirit had gripped a college, city, region and now beginning to impact a nation and world.

As we drove up to the college there were people everywhere. The lawns were filled with people and the chapels were full. Lines 5 hours long to get into Hughes chapel. People singing and watching projection screens all over the college lawn. It was indescribable. Everything I have read about from old time revivals from past generations happening today. I thought of the Hebrides Revival with Duncan Campbell. The whole city was gripped by the presence of God. The bars shut down, crime stopped and the islands near Scotland experienced a move of God for years. Just like the whole book of Acts.

This move of God at Asbury led by students, stewarded by the college leaders, unplanned but they prayed for it for months. Led by humble young students without any motive except to glorify Christ. It was a wonderful picture of the body of Christ lifting up the Head (Christ) so well. People at the altars in adoration and repentance and also people coming together from all denominations, colors and creeds under the banner of Jesus Christ.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head,

Running down on the beard,

The beard of Aaron,

Running down on the edge of his garments.

It is like the dew of Hermon,

Descending upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the Lord commanded the blessing—

Life forevermore. - Psalm 133

As I walked up to Hughes auditorium I saw 2 stones on the building. One about the salvation of men and the other about peace and holiness. This move of God I believe is a calling from Hebrews 12 to bring peace into a world full of chaos. Also a calling to pursue holiness and righteousness through Jesus Christ. He is calling his people out of sin and to live holy lives unto God. Without holiness we will not see God.

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.- Hebrews 12:14

He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

God is preparing and commissioning his church for a great move of His Spirit. Also a great trial which is about to come on the earth! There is going to be a great outpouring and also great tribulations. He is calling believers to Revive (Wake-Up) and get right with the Lord!

“In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. - 2 Corinthians 6:2

Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. - Hebrews 3:7

This is the hour God is calling his church to wake up, calling sinners to salvation through his son Jesus Christ and calling His followers to live a life in the Holy Spirit. Pursue Righteousness and Holiness with God through Jesus Christ. These are both exciting days and troubling days. Get ready, for the followers of Jesus Christ the greatest days are upon us! Another great outpouring has began…

Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.

The Gentiles shall come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

“Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

They all gather together, they come to you;

Your sons shall come from afar,

And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.

Then you shall see and become radiant,

And your heart shall swell with joy;

Isaiah 60:1-5

"The Birth of Activation Church"

October 31, 2021 we had our first service at Activation Church south of Orange City, Iowa.  What a weekend it was!  We had no plans of launching on Reformation Day, but as God would have it that was when our first official service was.  We gather weekly in a renovated building at the Triple Box.  My friend Chris had a dream and heard the name Justin Schrock.  Chris was not sure who he was but met him shortly after.  We went out to look at his facilities and asked him about gathering on Sundays for church.  Justin told us that 5 years ago when they built the barn his wife made a statement, “I believe a church will be birthed in here someday.”  Pretty amazing how God pulls it all together for his glory.  We even have an upper room where we gather for prayer.  We are about 4 months into our Sunday gatherings and things are going great.  We have great worship, preaching, wonderful children’s ministry, and great community. Sundays are truly the best.  The people that have joined us are the greatest blessing and joy of it all.  

Activation gave birth in 2020 in our home in the midst of Covid.  It was during the darkest days in America that God began to shine his brightest light. Isaiah 60:1-3 says:

Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.

The Gentiles shall come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

After over a year of consistent home services, tent revivals, outdoor services, and so many more gatherings we felt God calling us to launch a consistent gathering place called Activation Church.  We knew this would be a place where people would experience the Lord, worship Jesus, and encounter the presence of the Holy Spirt.  That is exactly what we have all experienced.  We are seeing people experience times of refreshing.  We are seeing people come to know Jesus for the first time.   We are seeing marriages restored, people confessing sin, and many others experiencing God in new and mighty ways.  We have baptisms both of water and the Holy Spirit.  

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” - John 3:3-8

There has been a tangible presence of God at every Sunday service.  We are extremely grateful for what God is doing in our day.  In a day where the nation is divided, many churches are falling apart, many denominations are going by the wayside, and yet God is birthing some new.  It is in these days of reformation and revival that God awakens his people back to the simple gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus, Peter, and Paul all began their ministry with a simple messages of Repentance.  Today we are in a country that is not in need of more prosperity.  Prosperity is great, but we are the most blessed nation in the world and we have turned away from God.  We are in a country that is in need of repentance.  Repentance makes way for revival, reformation, and restoration.   Everywhere these men went the gospel of the kingdom went forth. People turned from sin and many were made well spiritually & physically.  Many that were oppressed by the devil were set free.  This is exactly what America needs,  a mighty awakening that sets people free from a life of sin.  We believe the Bible and believe in the power of God.  We are in a battle in this nation and world that can only be won through a victorious church.  A church that is alive and full of the power of God.  

Mark 16 says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

We feel called to build the local church, bring unity within the body of Christ, and work with churches in our region. We also feel called to continue preaching outside of the region as we see God doing a completely new thing in our day.  He calls us to go out, and we have witnessed the church leaving the building.  These days are exciting, and I believe 500 years from now if Jesus has not yet returned they will look back and mark the days from 2020 and beyond as the days of revival and reformation all across the world.  We are in the middle of a great awakening, and we have a job to do.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Mathew 28:19-20

We bless you and pray for you in the coming days ahead.

21 Day of Prayer, Praise & Fasting

We want to invite you to join us for 21 days of prayer, praise and fasting for the lost, broken and hurting people in the world who need Jesus. We also are praying for the rulers of the nations of the world. We will be praying for division in the body of Christ to be healed and unity for all believers. In Ephesians 4 the Apostle Paul talks about Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all. Did you notice he never said there is “one denomination” that is right. There are many parts to the body as it says in 1 Corinthians 12. He is calling the church back to Unity under the banner of Jesus Christ so we can pursue the great calling and go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are believing for many prodigals, many lost people to come to know Jesus in the coming year. I believe Revival is going to break out all across the land. I believe God is going to raise up kings and dethrone kings and I believe we are called to walk united in the ways of God. Only a united church can heal a divided land. As David says in Psalm 133, the Lord commands his blessing on Unity. Join us for 10 days of prayer, praise & fasting as we believe God is going to draw men and woman back to himself in the coming year. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:47

Prayer Points:

1. Pray for the lost, prodigal’s and brokenhearted to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

2. Pray for spiritual & physical healing in the nation and nations of the world.

3. Pray for Repentance, Revival and Reformation in our land.

4. Pray for Unity in the body of Christ.

5. Pray for the Power of the Holy Spirit to be poured back on the church.

6. Pray for men of God to rise up in their homes and cities to lead.

7. Pray for families, pray for the family unit to be strengthened and built up in the ways of God