Following the conclusion of their worship service that lasted 16 days, students and faculty at Asbury University have been sharing their spiritual revival experiences with others beyond their Wilmore, KY, campus.
Known as “Outpouring Teams,” Asbury students go out either in groups or in pairs to local churches and testify about their experiences.
Rev. Greg Haseloff, associate dean of Spiritual Life at Asbury, says the teams are “both formalized and very organic,” noting that they have a coordinator who reports to him.
“In a very short amount of time, the 16-day move of God at Asbury garnered national and global awareness. The interest from churches, colleges and universities, and other communities of faith was extremely strong—and came with the desire to hear a firsthand account,” Haseloff says.
“The outpouring received a broad affirmation of authenticity—which elevated the requests for teams—which also testified to the stirring hunger within the Church to see a manifestation of God in our current world.”
Between 30–35 Asbury students have been involved in the Outpouring Teams, while as many as 20 other students have independently gone to places and shared their stories.
Haseloff explains that teams have a two-fold impact, with the first being that “the teams have grown the confidence of our students” to share their faith and pray for others, while the second is their impact on the broader Christian community.
“The impact on the churches has elevated the desire of churches to experience a move of God, and to be a vital community of faith where they are,” he continues. “They witnessed worship times extend beyond the normal expectation, and they’ve experienced amazing hospitality—communities hosting our students with great love, care, kindness, and generosity.”
Asbury Strategic Communications Director Abby Laub says the outpouring teams have gone around the area to speak and the number of team members sharing their experiences with churches and others continues to grow.
“Our students are amazing and have enjoyed the opportunities to share with others,” says Laub. “We are receiving many requests from all over and it’s beautiful to see how God is still moving through this.”
Since the close of the 16-day revival experience, there has been a bigger focus on small groups for students to connect with mentors and engage in discipleship, according to Laub.
“Many people have stepped up to walk alongside our students in discipleship and mentorship,” she says, noting that the small groups are both on and off campus.
“Our faculty and staff are continually amazed by how God worked and is still working and are remaining in a posture of service and humility,” notes Laub.
In February, the Hughes Auditorium at Asbury became the epicenter for an impromptu worship service that drew tens of thousands of students and people from across the U.S. and worldwide to the small town of 6,000 over the course of 16 days.
MICHAEL GRYBOSKI, taken from The Christian Post.
Appeared in Prayer Connect magazine. Click to subscribe.
