To understand the island nation’s crisis and what evangelicals must do now, start with what we didn’t do. Right now, the Western Hemisphere’s second-oldest republic is collapsing. Militant gangs in Haiti control most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and significant territory in other cities. They extract bribes at gunpoint for every case of diapers, bag of…
Christian students aren’t afraid to ask questions and continue to seek the “still, small voice” of the Spirit. Today’s college students know their generation can be skeptical—cynical, even—when it comes to big Christian movements. Young believers recognize that claims of God at work can be faked or manipulated, so they would rather ask questions and…
The Asbury awakening exposes the tensions in modern evangelicalism—and within our own hearts. The reactions to the spiritual awakening that began at Asbury are almost as fascinating as the event itself. By and large, the response has been one of awe and hope—as countless pastors and lay Christians, including myself, have flocked to Wilmore to…
A revival historian looks at four possible lessons from Asbury. The best-known evangelical interpreter of revivals, Jonathan Edwards, taught that no one can judge a revival secondhand. Edwards lived prior to telecommunication, but I think he would have said that the spiritual reality of a revival is not available remotely, however technologically sophisticated the transmission…
While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would “honor what is happening.” The shofars didn’t start until Saturday. With them came the would-be prophets seeking to take center stage at the Asbury University chapel where students had been praying and praising God since Wednesday…
Majority white churches can learn from the spiritual practices Black believers have cultivated for centuries. Lent is a season of darkness just before the light that comes with the celebration of Eastertide—a time where we are reminded of our mortality. It is a period of reflection, repentance, and preparation when we seek the Lord in…
Four other congregations with female pastors were also determined to be not in “friendly cooperation” with the SBC, as well as one removed over its abuse response. One of the country’s biggest and best-known megachurches, Saddleback Church, is no longer a part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) after bringing on a female teaching pastor…
Even our most beautiful rituals and reflections can’t bring relief from the reality of death. I started going to Ash Wednesday services when I was working in New York City, in an office a few blocks from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. From the sidewalk, the cathedral is intimidating, all filigree and turrets….
The Premier League winger known for his faith was killed in the earthquake in Turkey. Christian Atsu kicked his last goal on February 5. He ran up to the soccer ball and slammed it with his deft left foot, shooting it past 10 opposing players and a goalie in the fifth minute of extra time….
Conversions credited to women evangelists sharing the good news one-on-one in conversations. Tanuja Ghale saw a young woman on the street in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and told her she was beautiful. The woman started weeping. “Her husband had beaten her the same morning and told her that she was the worst woman in…
