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REVIVAL?
What is revival? Is it for the church, the lost or total societal transformation? Why does it often end with leaders or churches falling, parting ways, splitting, etc.?
These are just a few of the questions Christians have debated for generations. Then, in April of this year, the Lakeland Outpouring came along and stirred up the pot even more. What were we to make of the questionable statements made during this healing-based move of God–much less its controversial leader, Todd Bentley? Was it revival? And where do we go from here?
Our current print issue tackles the topic of revival and how Lakeland furthers our need for clarification. We've brought together several leaders within the Spirit-filled community to offer their thoughts on revival and what's transpired this year. Don't miss out on both this special issue and the online exclusives offered below. And after you're done reading, post your own thoughts and stories on revival.
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Understanding Revival
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 Surprised by the Spiritby Stephen Strader Our congregation has known the outpouring of the Spirit for more than 50 years. Through the leadership of my father... Full Story
 The Threshing Floorby David Cannistraci The Lakeland Outpouring has a number of ministry leaders feeling conflicted. On one hand, Lakeland awakens our hopes for revival... Full Story
 A Final Verdictby R. T. Kendall I can think of nothing worse than for God to be powerfully at work and I miss it—all because I was biased and devoid of discernment. All my life... Full Story
 The Elements of Revivalby George O. Wood Thomas F. Zimmerman, a former Assemblies of God general superintendent, once compared the Holy Spirit to a mighty river... Full Story
 Launching Into High Orbitby Rick Joyner Renowned preacher Vance Havner often compared revivals to a great department store sale. A sale gets... Full Story
 Custodians of His Presenceby John Kilpatrick If someone would have told me in early 1995 that after diligently praying for revival for years it... Full Story
 Body On Fireby Norman Benz Our congregation had been crying out to God with a singular prayer: "Rend the heavens and come down" (Is. 64:1, NIV). And then it... Full Story
 Beyond the Revival Hypeby Stephen W. Hill It is clear that revival without evangelism is a dead end. In fact, if it's not a core aspect of such a move, what.... Full Story
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The Lakeland Outpouring: Who's Saying What?
The events at Lakeland have sparked more than just worldwide excitement for a fresh move of God. Only weeks after the outpouring began, heated debates were already erupting online over everything from angelic encounters to the validity of healings to questions of it being a counterfeit revival. (Todd Bentley’s recent announcement that he his wife have separated certainly added fuel to the fire.)
To get a sense of just how thorny an issue an “outpouring” can be simply within charismatic leadership, check out the following blogs, statements, documents, articles and videos that display the variety of assessments on Lakeland.
Todd Bentley, Fresh Fire Ministries:
Peter Horrobin, Ellel Ministries International:
J. Lee Grady, Charisma:
Marcus Yoars, Ministry Today:
Stephen Strang, Strang Communications:
Jack Hayford, Foursquare Church:
Gary S. Greig, Regal Books:
Bill Johnson, Bethel Church:
Peter Wagner, Global Harvest Ministries:
Chuck Pierce, Glory of Zion International Ministries:
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Tell Us Your Revival Experience
Most Spirit-filled believers have encountered some form of revival or major outpouring. We want to hear about your experience—whether it’s been at Lakeland, Brownsville, Toronto, Timbuktu or anywhere else in the world. How did it affect you? Were you saved during it? Healed? Scarred? What are the lasting results? What did you encounter during the ongoing meetings? Glorious outpourings of the Holy Spirit? Unusual manifestations? False teachings?
Click here to submit your story.
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