Why Can't This Happen Again?

As we have moved to Mexico City this past month and as I communicate the vision and calling God has given us to others around in Mexico City I am burdened by the impossibility of what we're hearing God move us to. Can each and every college student in Mexico City (approx. 1,000,000) be part of a Biblical Spirit Filled Missional Community that impacts their universities, their families and their communities? At first glance I say "no way!" But then in God's grace He reminds that He has done this before and He can do it again.

From Why Campus Revivals Spark Missionary Advance--In America's Past, Every New Missionary Thrust has followed a Spiritual Revival in Colleges. Will It Happen Again. By J. Edwin Orr I was encouraged today.

Here are a few snippets:
"Can you imagine...
-one third of a university's student body coming to Christ in a single year?
-50 percent of those new believer's going into full-time Christian work following graduation?
-more than 20,000 students eventually serving Christ overseas due to the influence of a few of these students?
Imagine it, because it all happened!"

I read this article and I noticed a common theme:
"In 1787, with the moral climate there deteriorating rapidly, five non-Christian students decided to hold a prayer meeting to ask for God's help. They locked themselves in a room, for fear of the other students, and kept their voices down so they would not be caught."

"In college after college students formed similar Christian fellowships. At Harvard, Bowdin, Brown, Dartmouth, Middlebury, Williams, and Andover, students began to meet and pray. Three students at Brown formed the College Praying Society which met in a private room "for fear of disturbance from the unpenitent." In December 1802, at Harvard, seven students formed the Saturday Evening Religious Society, which also met secretly."

"At Williams College in Massachusetts, the scene of discouraging anti-Christian rioting, there was a small secret band of Christians as well. Burdened by the deplorable conditions on campus, they met twice a week to pray for revival. Little did they know how abundantly God would honor their faith. As a result of their prayers, God used these students to make an impact on not only their campus, but also on an entire century."

"One hot August afternoon in 1806 five students hide themselves to pray under the camouflage of a maple grove."

"Through his leadership and the student's prayers, evangelist Dwight L. Moody was persuaded to conduct a series of evangelistic meetings on campus. As a result, nearly a third of the student body received Christ."

"On college campuses during the 19th century, God revived generation after generation of students and used them to move the church closer to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. They first pioneered work along the coast lands of Africa and Asia. Then by 1886 a second era of Protestant missions saw footholds established in the vast inland territories of those lands through thousands of student volunteers. As today's students are sensitive to the conviction and call of the Holy Spirit, perhaps they can match their predecessor's faith and actions.

Could it be that a movement of 20th century volunteers and national believers might make this the third and final era of missions?

Perhaps the volunteers' objective, "The Evangelization of the World in This Generation," will be realized during your lifetime."

It sounds like we need to start praying for small movements of students to start praying for God's glory and that the Gospel will penetrate deep into our hearts and those that don't yet know Him.

Join with us in praying that God will raise up radical movements in each department and in university in Mexico City.

It can happen again!!!!!
Categories: Prayer, MexicoCity, God, Missions