The Revival in Barbourville, Kentucky

February 20, 2023

There are two amazing revivals going on in Kentucky right now. The revival at Asbury University is more of a news item then the one in Barbourville, KY. God engineered an amazing set of circumstances to open the doors for me to go to Barbourville last Saturday evening. This was very exciting for me because I have been praying with pastors and lay people in my community for over twenty-five years for revival. As my wife and I got closer to Barbourville I began praying that I would be humble and receive only what God had for me. I also hoped that would include an experience of the power of the Holy Spirit in a new and fresh anointing.

The first great revival happened in Acts 2:2-3, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” The disciples in that room were given the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, heal the sick, and cast out demons just like Jesus did. That day, through the power of the Holy Spirit, 3000 people believed and were baptized, and the church of Jesus Christ was born. here have been revivals of many sorts over the last 2000 years. They are relatively rare and last for differing periods of time. Sometimes they last for weeks, sometimes for decades.

When we arrived at the sanctuary for the 6:00 p.m. service we visited with people and found out that many were struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. The men sat on one side, the women on the other side, and the families sat in the middle. I would later find out that almost all the families, as well as the pastor and his wife once struggled with addiction, and through faith in Jesus Christ had found freedom.

When the praise band started playing music they all sang like their lives depended on it, and from the looks on their faces this was true. My years in the ministry had taught me they were at the right place to find the transformation they needed to live new lives of freedom and sobriety. After a very intense and inspiring sermon the minister called for prayer. The men and women on both sides of the sanctuary rushed to the front of the sanctuary, fell to their knees, and started praying for Jesus to continue to heal them. I don’t know if these people experienced the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon them or not, but they keep showing up night after night pleading for healing. It was a beautiful sight to see so many people cry out to Jesus in prayer to transform their lives.

As I prayed I was a little jealous that I wasn’t having any sort of spiritual experience that was new. I have been baptized with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8, Acts 1:5) and have had the experience of the Holy Spirit come upon and within me for power before, so I know when it is happening. As I asked God about why I was not experiencing the Holy Spirit I heard God’s gentle whisper to my soul tell me this was not my revival. Through conversations with other Spirit filled people I think what this means is that this revival is a special revival for people who are broken by addictive behavior. Thankfully, this is not where I struggle in life. If you know someone who is struggling with addictions I think a trip to Barbourville could bring an amazing transformation (actually, they gather outside of Heidrick, Ky around 6:00 p.m., and have been doing so for 105 nights and counting).

In my years of praying for revival those I pray with believe that a great revival is coming, but before that time Americans need to realize just how much they need God. Most Americans are comfortable giving Jesus lip service, and are generally very comfortable overall, and really don’t want God to do anything that will rock the boat. However, I believe we as a nation have squandered the wealth that God has provided and lost our moral compass as a nation. I think this is leading us to a time of great financial and spiritual depression that is going to change the way we live dramatically. If I am interpreting our times correctly, those with addictions are going to get crushed in every way when this happens. I believe this is one of God’s many moves in these days to prepare these struggling people with the ability to survive the hard times to come.

This week I plan on going to Asbury University and see what is going on there. Next week I will report my interpretation of the events I see there. To better understand God’s use of revivals to prepare people for hard times I recommend reading about our nation’s Great Awakenings. I believe another Great Awakening will follow the days of judgment and struggle I think are in our near future. (To find out more about Al Earley or read previous articles see, www.lagrangepres.org).