I believe it was in the fall of 1974. I lived in St i g l e r Oklahoma. There was an al l – c ity crusade taking place. It was being held at the High School Audi torium. There were four young men that had just graduated from Bible College in Oklahoma City. Each night a different one would preach. I was quite intrigued by the difference of the delivery of the sermons of each of the young men (even as a seventh grader).

I guess one of the things that sticks out the most about it is that it was the place I got saved (truly saved with a comprehensive understanding of sin, Jesus and salvation). But it was not just me, there were others, many, many others. Each night the invitation was given, several people walked down to the front repenting of their sins.

But that is not the only thing that make this crusade so memorable. After the appointed time given for the crusade (2 weeks, yes 14 days) the response was still tremendous. The auditorium was booked for school events so it could no longer be used. Another place had to be found. The local Freewill Baptist Church hosted the crusade for…get ready… another 2 weeks! And the church was packed each night and people were still being saved or rededicating their lives to Christ.

But, a third thing that sticks out is that this was fall and there is another event that happens in the fall, every Friday night…football. I look back on this spectacular event and marvel that a revival/crusade would take place at the same time as football Friday night! Crazy right? But it did, with a bunch of people continued supporting it. Each night for 2 additional weeks. The parking lot was packed as well as the auditorium.

But, after the two weeks were up, the crusade had to end. Not because the people were no longer coming but tut the young men had to leave for another crusade. They had already put off twice to continue in Stigler. The crowd was still coming each night until the end. Today our revivals happen starting on Sunday (mornings mostly but some evening services) and close on Wednesday night. We don’t want to go all week as it might interfere with our personal life. (I know, I just went to meddling and toestomping). We want God to come and work in our lives and others’ but He has to hurry and do it is 4-5 services.

Our nation is in terrible condition. I do not have to tell you this. Look around. We have legalized sin (running the ponies, lottery, casing gambling, same sex marriage, marijuana), crime is on the rise, truth is non-existent, the family unit has disintegrated and there is so much more. Then, look at our world. There is the continued war in Ukraine, the Middle East is a powder keg, and we are all waiting to see what Israel does in response to Hamas’ attack.

We truly need an old fashioned, Bible-based, pulpit-thumping, evangelist slobbering revival. This world did not get messed up in four days or a week or a month, it will not get straightened out in a 4-day revival. It may take a week, month or more of people turning away from everything that is taking their time and turn toward God, confessing their sin.

I know this is one of my preachiest articles, but it is one that is truly on my heart. If the situation with Israel shows us anything it should be that the clock for Jesus second coming is closer now than ever before. We need to be ready and making people ready His return.

Next week (October 29th) we will be starting our fall revival here at First Southern Baptist Church. This article is not to promote the revival, it is to promote Jesus and His return. I would love to be able to go back in time and see a church full of people hearing the Word of God and responding to it in an invitation that will lead to a changed life. A changed life can lead to a changed family, a changed family to a changed neighborhood, a changed neighborhood to a changed community to a changed county to a changed state and on and on and on!

We have got to change. Would you be willing to change for revival…change your schedule, change your priorities and….(you fill in the rest) and make time for revival in your life?

I hope to see you at revival next week.

Bro. Tim 2Chronicles 7:14