2023 Asbury revival

The 2023 Asbury revival was a Christian revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.[3] The revival was sparked by students spontaneously staying in Hughes Auditorium following a regularly scheduled chapel service on February 8, 2023. Following the gathering, Asbury President Kevin Brown sent out a brief two-sentence email: "There's worship happening in Hughes. You're welcome to join."[4] The news of the phenomenon quickly spread through social media and in Christian online publications.[5] The revival has been compared to similar revivals at Asbury, notably one that took place in 1970, which had far-reaching consequences in Methodism, culture of the United States, and the growth of the Jesus movement.[6] Notably, news of the revival largely spread on social media, as the participants were mainly members of Generation Z.[7] It was attended by approximately 15,000 people each day.[8] By its end, the revival brought 50,000–70,000 visitors to Wilmore, representing more than 200 academic institutions and multiple countries.[9][10]

2023 Asbury revival
Part of Methodism
The exterior of Hughes Auditorium
DurationFebruary 8, 2023–February 24, 2023
Venue(Initially) Hughes Auditorium on the campus of Asbury University (Subsequently) Other buildings in Wilmore, McKenna and Estes Chapels on the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary; Great Commission Church and Mt Freedom Baptist Church.
LocationAsbury University (primary) and other colleges and seminaries in the United States
Also known asAsbury Outpouring,[1] Asbury Awakening[2]
CauseUndergraduate students remaining in Hughes Auditorium after weekly chapel services for spontaneous worship and prayer.
Participants50,000–70,000
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Background

Chapel attendance is mandatory for students on certain weekdays. On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, a handful of students remained in the chapel following a regularly scheduled service. Student body president Alison Perfater was one of them, and in an interview with Tucker Carlson, said it was after a fellow student decided to openly confess some of his sins to the small group that "the atmosphere changed".[11] According to Perfater:

For seemingly no reason at first on Wednesday, February 8 it didn't end. That's kind of the logistical side of what's been going on. On the deeper side of things, what's been happening here since Wednesday is there's a young army of believers who are rising to claim Christianity, the faith, as their own, as a young generation and as a free generation, and that's why people cannot get enough.[11]

Initially only student publications and Methodist circles shared news of the event. Asbury University has a history of revivals, dating back to 1905, 1908, 1921, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1992, and 2006.[12][13] The 1970 revival at Asbury had far-reaching cultural effects, and remains central to the construction of Asbury's spiritual identity.[14] The revival has been described as calm, with some commentators having noted the absence of many contemporary worship features.[15] The revival was additionally significant because of its spread on social media, particularly among Generation Z, the most irreligious generation in US history.[15][7][16] On February 15, hashtag "asburyrevival" had over 24 million views on TikTok,[7] which increased to 63 million by February 18.[17][13]

Image of the interior of Hughes Auditorium. Shows people arm in arm in front of a large organ.
Interior of Hughes Auditorium on February 11

Asbury University is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement.

Responses to the revival have been reported at other university campuses, such as Samford University,[18] Cedarville University[19] and University of the Cumberlands.[20] The revival notably is ecumenical in its expression, with Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic groups participating in its spread.[21][22][23] Visitors told The Washington Post stories of "miracles and healing" they witnessed at the event, along with unparalleled hospitality by locals and students.[24][25]

Timeline
Date Event Notes
8 February 2023 Undergraduates remain in the auditorium following the conclusion of the morning chapel service[26] for prayer. The first report of the revival is in the student newspaper, The Asbury Collegian.[6] News of the phenomenon spread on social media via the personal accounts of students. Similarities are immediately noted with a similar religious revival at Asbury in 1970.[27]
9 February 2023 Students remain in the auditorium throughout the night. The revival continues into its second day. It is estimated that the crowd drops to 50 at its lowest point in the night.
10 February 2023 Students remain in the auditorium throughout the day. Students begin to set up coffee stations. While non-students are present, the participants appear to be largely members of the student body.[28][29] The event starts to receive coverage from local media.[30] Online pictures of the auditorium show it at capacity.[31]
11 February 2023 The revival continues through the fourth day. Crowds begin to swell in Hughes Auditorium as local media coverage continues. Online pictures of the auditorium show it beyond capacity.[31]
12 February 2023 Revival continues into its fifth day. Buses and vans from various churches and other religious institutions are observed arriving at Asbury for the revival.[32] Asbury Theological Seminary's Estes Chapel, McKenna Chapel, and other buildings on campus are open for overflow crowds.
13 February 2023 Revival continues into its sixth continuous day. Asbury Theological Seminary's Estes Chapel continues to be open for overflow crowds.[33][34][35]
13 February 2023 Seminarians at Virginia Theological Seminary lead Wesley's Covenant Service in response to the revival.[23] Students at Cedarville University hold a worship service in response to the revival.[36][21] The event was organized by the Methodist Society of the Episcopal Church according to an announcement on Twitter.[37]

Cedarville University is a Baptist-affiliated institution.

14 February 2023 Revival Continues through the seventh continuous day.[31][38][39]
14 February 2023 At least 22 other institutions travel to Asbury for the revival.[36] Some of these institutions did so in official capacities, while others were unofficial appearances of students and faculty. Students at Campbellsville University and Lee University remain in worship in response to the revival.[36][21] Campbellsville is a Baptist-affiliated institution, while Lee is a Church of God-Cleveland affiliated university.
15 February 2023 Revival continues into its eighth day. The revival receives coverage from The Washington Post.[14] Asbury Seminary's regularly scheduled chapel services overflow. Hughes Auditorium is closed by Asbury students to all people 26 and over, a decision made to prioritize the voices of Generation Z. A simulcast of Hughes Auditorium is set up in Estes and McKenna Chapels.
15 February 2023 Students at Samford University remain in worship in response to the revival according to an announcement from the university's president on Twitter.[40][41] Students have remained in worship since then.[42] Samford is a Baptist-affiliated institution.[43]
16 February 2023 Revival continues into its ninth day. An announcement that Hughes Auditorium is closed from 1:00 AM to 12:00 PM and that livestreaming is banned in Hughes Auditorium and the chapels is made on Asbury University's official Instagram account.[1] Asbury University establishes a set schedule for the revival, published on their website. The university marks February 24 as an end date for services held on Asbury's campus.[44][45] Asbury sends a letter to the parents of students addressing the revival.[46]
17 February 2023 Revival continues into its tenth day. Following the university's regularly scheduled chapel service, Hughes Auditorium is opened to the public, again giving seating preference to those in high school through age 25 (Generation Z).[1] At 5pm a fourth external venue, Mt. Freedom Baptist Church, was added to service the thousands lined up in the cold waiting for space in Hughes Auditorium. Drone footage captures lines several blocks long after Hughes Auditorium is full.[47]
18 February 2023 Revival continues through its eleventh day. Security concerns over "tens of thousands" of visitors heighten among both government and Asbury officials.[48]
19 February 2023 Revival continues into its twelfth day. Last day of evening services for the public.[49][50]
21 February 2023 The university announces the service will be moved to accommodate the significant number of people attending, although the exact location(s) is/are not given.[8]
24 February 2023 The university announces that no more outpouring services would be scheduled through the university.[51]

Measles case

An unvaccinated person from Jessamine County, Kentucky who attended the revival on 18 February 2023 tested positive for the measles following their attendance at the revival.[52][53][54] The case was the third in Kentucky in the three months before the revival.[55] Unvaccinated attendees were asked by public health officials to quarantine for 21 days following exposure and then get immunized.[56][55][57]

See also

References
  1. "Outpouring". Asbury University. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  2. Willingham, A. J. (February 18, 2023). "A nonstop worship gathering at a Kentucky school echoes an old Christian tradition". CNN. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  3. "Outpouring". Asbury University. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  4. Kast, Monica (February 22, 2023). "As Asbury revival winds down, participants say experience 'redirected our priorities'". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  5. B. J. Oropeza, "The Current Revival in Asbury: Sensing the Presence of God and 4 Principles from the Past Archived February 25, 2023, at the Wayback Machine" Patheos/General Christian/In Christ (February 16, 2023)
  6. Presta, Alexandra (February 8, 2023). "Revival strikes Asbury once again". The Asbury Collegian. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  7. "A nonstop Kentucky prayer 'revival' is going viral on TikTok, and people are travelling thousands of miles to take part". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  8. "Asbury relocates revival off campus, following overcrowding – Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis". premierchristian.news. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  9. Lanum, Nikolas (February 25, 2023). "Asbury revival brings 'beautiful disruption' and multi-generational community to post-COVID world". Fox News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  10. "Asbury University student uses map to track worshipers who came to 'revival' services". WDRB. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  11. DeSoto, Randy. "Carlson: Asbury Revival 'Amazing,' People Turning to Spiritual Life to Counter Evil in the World". Independent Journal Review. Western Journal. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  12. "Revivals". Asbury University. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  13. "A nonstop revival breaks out at Kentucky college. Now, it's viral on TikTok". The Courier-Journal. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  14. "Why students at a Kentucky Christian school are praying and singing round the clock". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
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  20. Gryboski, Michael (February 17, 2023). "University of the Cumberlands seeing 'evidence of the Lord's work' at student-led worship gatherings". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  21. Staff, RELEVANT (February 15, 2023). "The Asbury Revival Is Spreading to Other Universities". RELEVANT. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  22. "'Jesus was right next to me': Asbury revival sets Catholics on fire with Holy Spirit". Detroit Catholic. Archived from the original on February 21, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  23. Danker, Ryan (February 28, 2023). "THE ASBURY REVIVAL". Living Church. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  24. Ferguson, Amber. "Nonstop worship service at a Kentucky college is spreading through TikTok". Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  25. "The Asbury revival is over. What happens now?". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
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  29. Presta, Alexandra (February 10, 2023). "A revival update: 'How Great is Our God'". The Asbury Collegian. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
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  32. WATCH | Asbury University's revival service continues, archived from the original on February 16, 2023, retrieved February 16, 2023
  33. Pendleton, Phil. "Days-long 'spontaneous revival' continues at Asbury University". Mountain NewsWYMT. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  34. "Revival Underway at Asbury University in Kentucky: 'The Holy Spirit Was Tangible in the Room'". CBN News. February 13, 2023. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  35. "Revival service at Asbury University continues after 125 hours". FOX 56 News. February 13, 2023. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  36. Today, CHIP HUTCHESON, Kentucky. "Revival spreading to other colleges and universities". Kentucky Today. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. Methodist Society of the Episcopal Church [@@MethodistSoc] (February 13, 2023). "In response to those in the Methodist movement seeking, praying for, and participating in revival, join us at 8PM via live stream or in person at Virginia Theological Seminary's Octagon Room (in the chapel) for a Wesleyan Covenant Service. #asburyrevival" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. Smietana, Bob (February 14, 2023). "Why students at a Kentucky Christian school are praying and singing round the clock". Religion News Service. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
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  40. Beck A. Taylor [@@BeckTaylor] (February 16, 2023). "I just spent 90 minutes w/ students in Reid Chapel. Hundreds lined the pews & aisles singing, praying, giving witness to the Lord. It's real, genuine, vulnerable, passionate, biblical, and all about Jesus. I asked some students what they found encouraging. Here's their responses:" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  41. "Samford students unite in 'unscripted' revival service | The Alabama Baptist". The Alabama Bpbaptist. February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  42. rserven@al.com, Ruth Serven Smith | (February 17, 2023). "Samford campus revival, inspired by Asbury University, reaches third day". AL.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  43. "Samford's Mission, Vision and Values". Samford. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  44. "Outpouring". Asbury University. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
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  46. Today, MARK MAYNARD AND CHIP HUTCHESON, Kentucky. "Asbury University making tweaks to schedule next week". Kentucky Today. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  49. Today, MARK MAYNARD, Kentucky. "Sunday will be last public evening service at Asbury University". Kentucky Today. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  50. "Nonstop revival at Kentucky college to hold last public evening service Sunday". The Enquirer. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  51. Staff, WKYT News. "Asbury University revival comes to an end". WKYT News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  52. Staff, WKYT News; Tombs, Jeremy. "Health officials: New measles case linked to Asbury revival". www.wave3.com. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  53. Niemeyer, Kenneth. "Kentucky health department links measles case to a religious 'revival' at a Christian college that had to be disbanded after it went viral on TikTok". Insider. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
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  55. Key, Jennie. "Measles case in Kentucky linked to viral Christian revival at Asbury University, officials say". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  56. Murray, Rebekah Riess,Ben Tinker,Kelly (February 25, 2023). "Measles case confirmed in a person who attended Kentucky spiritual revival event". CNN. Retrieved February 28, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  57. Keck, Matthew (February 25, 2023). "Health officials: Person who attended Asbury University revival tested positive for measles". WLKY. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
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