WHEATON COLLEGE REVIVAL-1995
On November 9, 1994, there was an all-campus day of prayer. 200 students came to the first prayer time, which began at 5:30 a.m. that day. Timothy Beougher, a professor, had attended the North American Convocation on Revival in North Little Rock, Arkansas, from February 14-17.
During that time, he heard from Henry Blackaby and John Avant about the revival occurring at a University and a Church in Brownwood, Texas. Then on March 2, he shared with his class what was taking place there. Beougher then asked the chairman of the World Christian Fellowship, a student-led gathering that is focused on world missions, about inviting Howard Payne students to the Wheaton campus to share. The WCF picked up the idea and arranged for some representatives to come on March 19.
Day One
On Sunday night, March 19, 1995, less than two months after the revival began in Texas, the report of what happened there arrived at Wheaton College. With about 800-900 students present in Pierce Chapel, at the weekly meeting of the World Christian Fellowship, which began at 7:30 p.m., James Hahn and Brandi Maguire, students from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, shared about what occurred on their campus the previous month, as well as what had happened at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church on Sunday morning, January 22. Following the sharing of those two students, the microphones were open for any student who wanted to share their burdens or confess their sins.
The World Christian Fellowship, which usually only lasts a couple of hours, was still ongoing till 6:00 a.m. the following morning, as student after student came to the microphone, publicly confessing their sins, and sharing their heart’s burdens.
There were confessions of all manner of sins and burdens; Sins of bitterness, unforgiveness, lust, cheating, anger, hate, pornography, pride, racial prejudice, addictions of all kinds, broken relationships, stealing, disobedience, homosexuality, theft, cynicism, materialism, and competitiveness. After the confessions, groups of 5-25 would gather around the student who had confessed and would pray with them in acceptance and encouragement.
Day Two
Yielding to the move of the Spirit as He was working deeply in the lives of the 1,000 students present, they stayed till 2:00 a.m., with many still in line, wanting to confess their sins. On this evening, one student placed a bag of CDs on the platform, signifying his submission to the Holy Spirit to rid himself of the music that was detrimental to his spiritual growth.
After he publicly confessed his sin, dozens of young men and women rose from their seats and left the auditorium, returning over the next few hours, bringing with them, and placing on the platform, objects that had been a hindrance in their relationship with God. On this night, books, magazines, videos, pornography, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, CDs with secular music, and even credit cards filled 5 Garbage bags.
Day Three
On Tuesday, March 21, 1995, the meeting was moved to the Wheaton College Church, which was a large facility and was able to accommodate the 1,350 people that had assembled. This service started at 9:30 p.m. and continued till 2:00 a.m.
Day Four
On Wednesday, March 22, the Wheaton College Church was filled to its 1,500
capacity by the start time of 9:30 p.m., with the closing being after the last confession, which was given at 2:45 a.m. On this evening, three school officials were invited to speak, and they were Wheaton College President Duane Litfin, and Professors Lyle Dorsett and Timothy Beougher. They spoke on topics centering around the biblical method of dealing with sin and temptation, as well as discipleship.
Day Five
On the final night, Thursday, March 23, 1995, with 1,800 being gathered, the public testimonies in the main sanctuary centered on giving praise to God for how He had worked in many lives during the week and for the restoration of relationships, addictions overcome, and more.
Results of the Revival
►- There was genuine repentance.
►- There was reconciliation with God and with men.
►- There was a renewed hunger for the Word of God.
►- The joy during singing of worship songs was evident.
►- Private devotional times with God became enjoyable, and not a duty.
►- There was an overwhelming compulsiveness to confess sins publicly.
►- Salvation was experienced by students as well as those in the community who attended the services.
►- Marriages were reunited.
►- The revival spread to hundreds of churches and over 100 colleges. Hallelujah!