Revival Bursts Open in Charleston, South Carolina
by George Whitten, Editor of Worthy News
On April 12, 1861, Confederate batteries opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. This marked the beginning of the civil war and the division of our country. On Friday, March 22, 2002, over 250 pastors representing approximately ten different denominations gathered together at 1600 Meeting Street in Charleston to begin forty days of prayer and fasting for revival. Who knew that the city where division began would be the city where the spirit of reconciliation would be poured out?
This move of God started just over eight months ago, while a man was jogging. The Lord spoke to his heart and asked him three questions:
Will you give me all of yourself?
Will you give me all of your resources?
Will you give me all of your life?
God convicted his heart that he was to begin uniting the body of Christ in order to see revival. He showed him that there were to be no denominational barriers and that all those who want to participate in this move of God must only believe that:
Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, that he alone is the author of salvation. (Acts 4:12)
The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16)
In the months preceding this revival, believers began gathering together weekly to pray for the strongholds to be pulled down over the city of Charleston. About a week ago participating pastors united together, walking in prayer throughout the city of Charleston preparing the ground for the move of the Holy Spirit.
This revival is uniquely structured. Jesus Christ alone is glorified, as opposed to any one church or person. About 150 pastors obeyed the call of God to participate. There are 12 overseer pastors. Each overseer has a group of 12 pastors which have drawn lots to determine each group’s 12-hour time slot. This will allow a continuation of prayer, fasting, worship and preaching for 40 days straight. The revival is to continue 24 hours a day until April 30, 2002, with the exception of Sundays, 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., at which time regular church services are held.
The theme of the first nights gathering was “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) After a time of terrific worship, the message of unity inspired all who were present (approximately 600-700 people) to fall weeping in repentance before one another and the Lord, concerning the sin of denominationalism. This led to a time of extraordinary intercession for revival. There were no monetary gifts collected to cover the costs of these meetings, nor will there be. Instead, people are offering their lives to the Lord. (I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. – Romans 12:1,2)
Pastor Carl Wiggins, an overseer of the revival, stated “This revival couldn’t have happened with a pastor, but only with a layman.” God spoke to Earl Cox, a man of no theological training, one morning while he was jogging just over eight months ago. The Lord used this layman to bring revival to whosoever would heed the call, “Lord Jesus, send revival and let it begin with me.” Will you also obey the call of the Spirit?