Revival Indicators Today

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Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19-20a, ESV).

I came to know Jesus when I was 18 years old during what became known as the “Jesus Movement.” Personally, I led about 500 youth to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior in my first three years as a believer.

I’m passionate about revival and was a firsthand witness to the power of the Jesus Movement Revival (late 1960s and early 1970s), when 10 to 12 million young people came to know Jesus. Unfortunately, the fervor of this revival waned.

Below are three of my observations about the Jesus Movement. . . 

• It was a youth-led revival, operating outside the walls of local churches, but eventually having great impact in those churches
• The revival wasn’t spearheaded by an amazing evangelist or denomination but through one-to-one evangelism
• Spiritual hunger from failed philosophies, lukewarm churches, and inept government policies fueled the search for greater meaning

I’ve prayed for years that a Jesus-Movement-esque revival would return in my lifetime.

Recent reports (Praise the Lord!), indicate a renewed interest in Christianity. Last week, a Barna Research Study stated that 66 percent of U.S. adults now profess to making a personal commitment to Jesus, which marks a 12-percentage-point gain since 2021!

A couple of other notes about this marked increase of faith. . . 

• Gen Z and Millennials are the largest demographic driving this resurgence of interest in Jesus
• This increase among Gen Z and Millennials primarily stems from those outside the church, who have previously distanced themselves from the organized structures of Christianity in America
• Sixty-one percent of those with renewed interest prefer to distance themselves from the internal politics of local churches

With those currently interested in Christianity now displaying a similar persona as Jesus Movement adherents — is revival just around the corner?

Maybe and maybe not.

A major emphasis for all members of the Jesus Movement was, “You can’t be a legitimate follower of Jesus without sharing your faith on a regular basis.”  

The first thing I did after being baptized at Daytona Beach, Florida, was walk down the beach sharing the gospel with others. I, and most of the other Jesus Freaks (what Jesus Movement participants called themselves), continually went street or beach witnessing.

But today. . . 

While 86 percent of believers feel compelled to share their faith, about 74 percent of non-church-going U.S. adults report that they haven’t been invited to church in the past year. As Barna reports. . . 

While most believers theoretically acknowledge their responsibility to share their faith, far fewer follow through with simple forms of outreach like inviting others to church.

Is it revival? Not yet, but let’s continue to pray.