God moves in mighty ways in many places through diverse means and people
Over the course of a few years, BJ has visited various places where God has moved in revival power. As he visited these historical sites, he typically had another intercessor with him, but not often a camera. His intent was to pray for God to again move– in our time– for God to “visit us” with His Manifest Presence to bring about much needed transformation in our land and in our people. This took various forms, such as prayers requesting release of “clogged wells” and for fresh running “water’ of the Word and the Holy Spirit, prayer and worship, sounding of the shofar, confession and repentance, reading and declaring God’s word, reviewing what went well and what went wrong in historical outpourings, … He has often been asked to write a book about these travels, but regretfully is unable to do so as there was no attempt to journal these travels as they occurred, and he would not want to err in the re-telling. At a few of these places, some photos were taken, a portion of which we share here. Join us as we take a bit of a photo journey together.
There is much to be gained in reading of revival moves, and praying for God to “Do it again! Here!”
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PHOTO GROUP “MEMORIAL STONES”
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Memorial Stones
BJ writes in book two of Revival: The Consistency of God— “The world is filled with the places where these moves of God have occurred. The burial places of these men and women can be found if you want to look for them. I have stood on some of the old camp meeting grounds. I have been to the graves of Praying Hyde, Charles Finney, A.W. Tozer, and others.
What should the graves of these men and women of God mean to us? What significance should the places where God moved so powerfully hold for us? We should honor them. However, they should be honored more in the line of being memorial stones. In Joshua chapter four is the story of when the Israelites crossed over into the Promise Land. The Jordan was at its highest tide at this time. Crossing the Jordan was impossible in the natural. When God parted the waters of the Jordan, Joshua had appointed twelve men to pick up huge stones from the bottom of the Jordan River and stack them on the other side. Joshua said “that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:6-7).
Let the Ark of God part the waters which lie before you that you may stack the memorial stones for our day. We have a tendency to forget the great things that God has done. We need reminders. Billy Graham has preached to over 200 million people. [Yet} I am amazed at the young people that have no clue who he is or what God has done through him. We must have memorial stones. When I go to these places they become a means of remembering the faithfulness of God. They become a prayer point to cry out to God to raise up men and women who can be used in our day. Even if I do pray “Lord, raise up another George Whitfield,” I am not asking God to raise Whitfield from the dead. Neither am I asking God to give Whitfield’s exact anointing to someone. What I am asking the Lord to do is to raise up leaders that are as powerful and obedient as these people were. I am asking God to raise up what we desperately need in this hour. Will you seek God for the same?
Father Daniel Nash
Daniel Nash was an intercessor who was used by God to facilitate Charles’ Finney’s revival ministry. He would precede Charles’ Finney’s arrival by going to the region in which meetings were to occur, and join with a small group of like-minded believers in a covenant of prayer. Often he and two or three others (such as Abel Clary) would fast and travail in prayer.
How often what we know and perceive to be successful moves of God are preceded and sustained by hidden and unknown intercessors!
These photos were taken at property associated with Father Daniel Nash’s original church/ memorial and original graveside (outside of Lowell, New York.) Here is where the church he pastored at once stood. A memorial cross and figure have been added.
The graveyard, which includes his burial site is located behind the cattle auction barn
Additional information about Daniel Nash and how he was used by God can be found here https://www.hopefaithprayer.com/prayer-warrior-charles-finney/
“Praying Hyde”
“Praying Hyde” (John Hyde) was a missionary to India, and was used of God in a revival known as the Sialkot Revival, and was of significant influence in the life of Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman, a famous evangelist in his time. John Hyde prayed anointed intercession on his knees in the room with Dr. Chapman. “… there came up from the depth of his heart such petitions for men as I had never heard before. I rose from my knees to know what real prayer was.” As to the mission meetings after this prayer, Dr. Chapman remarked, “Almost immediately the tide turned. The hall was packed, and my first invitation meant fifty men for Jesus Christ….” (pages 62-63 from John Hyde, the Apostle of Prayer, by Francis McGraw. )
To learn more about “Praying Hyde” visit and read about him here
Amanda Berry Smith
African American Amanda Berry Smith is buried in Washington Memory gardens, outside of Chicago, Illinois
BIlly Sunday
Billy Sunday, a baseball player turned evangelist
To read of Billy Sunday’s sermons, follow this link, and if you want to know more about his life, a brief biography can be found here
A sound file of the Moody radio broadcast Unshackled radio drama presentation (from the viewpoint of Helen Sunday) is attached here, and directly follows BJ’s testimony. (Look for it at about the thirty minute point.)
Maria Woodworth-Etter
Maria Woodworth-Etter was one of the first renown female healing evangelists.
She is referenced in articles and YouTubes by “God’s Generals” and is portrayed in several biographical links such as http://healingandrevival.com/BioMWEtter.htm
Samuel Morris, a.k.a. Prince Kabou
Samuel Morris, a.k.a. Prince Kabou, was a native of West Africa, son of a chieftain, whose tribe lost in a tribal war, and he was used as an exchange for peace. They threatened often to kill him, and at one point, a light blinded his captors, his bonds fell of, and he ran through the jungle following the light. The light led him to a missionary compound.
He is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, outside of Fort Wayne, Indiana. To learn more, consider starting by reading a short summary here or watch a YouTube video available here
Boehm’s Chapel is in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
As per Boehm’s Reminiscences, Historical and Biographical, pg. 31, by Henry Boehm,”There were wonderful gatherings at Boehm’s Chapel. The bishops and the great men of Methodism found their way there, and peached the word.” Henry Boehm lived a long life, was a traveling minister, and a contemporary witness to some of what God did in and through circuit riders and Methodism at the end of the eighteenth century and nineteenth century.
(note- the black and white images are photographs taken at the chapel of a photographed and framed depiction of the original building)
The importance of Boehm’s chapel is not only the type of meetings that happened there, but also regarding an encounter between Martin Boehm and Otterbein which occurred at Isaac Long’s barn.
This cemetery lies adjacent to Boehm’s chapel (reconstructed.) Rev. Martin was the father of Henry Boehm. Two of the gravestones belong to fellow circuit riders who died at young ages.
Boehm’s Chapel, PA
Interested in reading more? Free book available online here
Martin Boehm, an evangelical Mennonite, met German Reformed Pastor Philip William Otterbein at Isaac Long’s barn for a landmark occasion of unity.
Isaac Long’s Barn is on private property in Mennonite country in Pennsylvania
This barn is noted as a heritage landmark of United Methodism. For more information about this barn, click here http://pennblog.typepad.com/lititz_mennonites/isaac-long-farm-1001-jake-landis-road/
Another historic reconciliation related to Martin Boehm has occurred in our day, as recorded here http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/mennonites-reconnect-with-umc-founder
The Holy Spirit delights to bring about unity and reconciliation.
Moravian Falls, North Carolina
“In 1752, in the backwoods of North Carolina the Moravians purchased a tract of almost 100,000 acres . The name of the tract became known as Wachovia. In 1766, they establish the town of Salem (meaning “peace”) in N.C., which is often confused with Salem, Mass. The Moravians established a rooted community with strong values and stable trade. They continued a legacy of 24 hour prayer and worship centers that were started in Eastern Europe by their ancestors. Their prayer and missionary spirit still have effect in the foothills of North Carolina where today many ministries have established their home bases.”
(quoted from http://missionsbase.eaglemissions.org/history-moravian-falls/)
Moravian Falls is a quiet area nestled in the foothills and mountains of North Carolina. These falls are accessible with available camping and cabins for a quiet refuge.
It is sometimes referred to as a mystical area, and it is said that “prophets and pastors from around the world come to Moravian Falls to experience spiritual refreshment and to receive fresh revelation from God.” See website as linked and read further regarding a “Spiritual Turning Point” which occurred in history Involving Count Zinzendorf and the Brethren, the Hernhut community and revival, launching of evangelism, and of 100 years of non-stop hourly intercession by members of the Moravian church.
The area is now home of the Mountainview Retreat Center. The Hidden Hollow Retreat Cabin and Coffey Cabins offer a destination for those seeking “time out from their daily routine and a time in with God.”
Much can be gained by setting aside some time to withdraw and seek God. He will meet those who seek Him, whether it be in the corner of their own bedroom, at a “prayer mountain,” or at a meeting with you and “fourteen of the Brethren”. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord…” Jeremiah 29:13-14a (ESV)
David Brainerd
Praying for God to release revival in our day, using whomever God would desire to use. David Brainerd’s anointing is not to be sought after by laying on his grave, as some are inclined to do, for God places men and women in the right time and place with the anointing for that time, place, and purpose. May God grant you His anointing for the call He has on your life, through His Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
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PHOTO GROUP “SPRING UP, OH WELL”
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SPRING UP, OH WELL, WITHIN MY SOUL!
BJ and others prayed at this site near Shoenbrunn, Ohio, asking for the Lord to open up clogged revival wells, remove stones and obstacles, to let the waters of the Holy Spirit move freely again.
We were told this spring had not had water in it for 100 years. Imagine our excitement when we revisited later and found water in it!
Regional Revival
Perhaps in praying for revival, you may have heard people in one region of the USA state that God told them revival was to begin in their city and spread to other cities, states, and to the USA. If people in multiple cities far away from each other geographically are getting this “same message” from God, how can this be? Is one right and another wrong? One way of understanding this is to recognize how this occurs in the natural. Consider the flow of rivers such as these.
The headstream of the Allegheny begins in the eastern United States in Potter County, PA, but later unites with the Monongahela at Pittsburgh, forming the Ohio River. By volume, the Allegheny is the main headstream of both the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and flows down to the gulf of Mexico.
Similarly, what happens in one region may effect regions quite a distance away from their own.
Upper Pennsylvania, Moravians, David Zeisberger
David Zeisburger was a Moravian missionary who evangelized among the native American Indians and led many Delaware Indians to Christ. Although he began in Pennsylvania at the headwaters of the Allegheny, he followed the Allegheny River down to Ohio, and was a blessing to the American Indians in Ohio.
“Tensions were high in Philadelphia on a mid-November day in 1763, when a terrified and bedraggled band of more than one hundred Christianized Indians led by Moravian missionary David Zeisberger arrived in the city on foot. They were being hotly pursued by a murderous band of frontiersmen from Lancaster and Reading, who were rumored to be right outside the city. So the city fathers dispatched the militia and sent Benjamin Franklin to negotiate with the vigilantes. Public opinion in Philadelphia was largely sympathetic to the white settlers, some of whom had been attacked by Indians, though not by the Moravian converts now in their city. Only the stalwart intervention of the city’s pacifist Quaker leadership prevented more bloodshed. …” from http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-48
Shoenbrunn Village, New Philadelphia, Ohio
You can learn more of Ohio’s first settlers, the Moravian Missionaries, and the Delaware Indians with a vist to New Philadelphia, or by visiting this website: http://www.schoenbrunnvillage.org/
…Fleeing the advance of both British troops and unfriendly Indians, the residents of Schoenbrunn resettled in the territory of Ohio. Fearing that Zeisberger was spying for the Americans, the British briefly imprisoned him in Detroit, but then released him after finding insufficient evidence to convict him of treason. The Indians of Gnadenhutten were not so fortunate. Frustrated frontiersmen, eager to avenge the murders of white settlers on the western borders of Pennsylvania and Virginia by marauding Indians, decided that the Christianized Indians at Gnadenhutten were a choice target. In March of 1782, an angry group of settlers rounded up the peaceful Indians of the village, tried and convicted them of murder and theft, then killed more than ninety Christianized Indian men, women, and children.” from http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-48
Manchester, Kentucky
God’s stirrings are not limited to the past, and there are sprinklings of God’s revival power being poured out in a transformational way in communities both in our nation and abroad. Manchester, Kentucky, has gratefully received a revival and victory over pervasive drug addiction and loss. They affectionately refer to their city as a “City of Hope”. More information about this can be found by contacting the pastors who have been active in shepherding this work. They are on facebook @appalachiancentrefortransformation (note- a search will find more than one within facebook, so look for the one in Manchester, Kentucky); or click here to link to a webpage for the Appalachian Transformation Center
Although it is not the intent of this website to either endorse or condemn contemporary ministries that herald a move of God in revival power, you might find it interesting to look into some lesser known recent occurrences of reports of regions being transformed by the power of God. There is a group referred to as the Sentinel group which is described as a “community of researchers, filmmakers, and ministers dedicated to the task of preparing needy communities for spiritual revival and societal transformation.” They research and track some contemporary occurrences of regional transformation across the globe.
A trailer introducing you to some of these incidents can be viewed by clicking here.
God has moved in mighty ways to revive and transform people and regions in the past and is doing so in the present as well. When God sends revival, people are changed and communities are impacted with life change and a turning away from sin, with victory over dark spiritual strongholds and dominion. We pray for revival to happen– HERE! NOW!
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PHOTO GROUP “REVIVE US OH GOD”
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Revive Us Oh God!
Red River Meeting House
in Adairville, Kentucky
The Red River Meeting House in Adairville, Kentucky is sometimes refered to as the grounds of the Second Great Awakening of 1800. In order of happening, the revival at Red River actually happened prior to that of Cane Ridge.
“The Red River Meeting House was the site of the first religious camp meeting in the United States. Held June 13–17, 1800, it marked the start of the Second Great Awakening, a major religious movement in the United States in the first part of the nineteenth century.” excerpt from/ learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Meeting_House
The Church at Cane Ridge, Kentucky
Cane Ridge Meeting House
For information about a great move of God known as the Cane Ridge Revival, there is a book entitled The Cane Ridge Reader, by Barton Stone, edited by Hoke S. Dickinson
Brick edifice enclosing the original Cane Ridge Meeting House
Barton Stone was the pastor at Cane Ridge
“Samuel Bonaparte “Bone” January was purchased as a slave in 1822. In those days, the only date of birth kept was the year a slave was purchased. He was a faithful parishoner of Barton Warren Stone and of the Cane Ridge Meeting House.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7322504/samuel-bonaparte-january
Camp meeting grounds
After a move of God has run its course, be it weeks, months, or years, the season may dwindle down or die off. Perhaps the revival came at a fullness of time (Galatians 4:4) or completed its appointed time (Ecclesiastes 3). Perhaps cares of this world or man-made obstacles stopped the flow of the movement that once was bursting with life. We can look to the past, read and learn from what has occurred, both good and bad. But we need never lose hope that GOD CAN DO IT AGAIN. GOD CAN REVIVE HIS WORK IN THE MIDST OF OUR YEARS! These trees, found on the old camp meeting grounds, provide a visual picture of life growing again out of what has been cut down and appears dead.
We dare not give up hope for a move of God in our time, in our church, in our region, in our hearts! Our cry remains (as with Isaiah as recorded in chapter sixty four verse one),
“Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down…!”
and (as in chapter forty-four verse three to five)
“…pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; … pour out [Your] Spirit on [our] offspring and [Your] blessing on [our] descendants”…
that multitudes “will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’”!
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PHOTO GROUP “A WORD OF WARNING”
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A Word of Warning Regarding Error
Sometimes, in response to a genuine move of God, a work splinters off from the main occurrence and falls into error. This can occur particularly when people begin to seek the manifestations rather than the Holy Spirit. Perhaps leaders fall into moral sin. Other times, a person or group tries to mimic the work, or take glory on a work for their own purposes, or sadly, for personal gain. While there is a genuine work of God in Manifest Presence revival, with manifestations that present as “out of the norm for church decorum,” there can also be signs and wonders brought about through demonic spirits, spirits of witchcraft, sorcery, soothsayers, and the like. See scriptural examples reflecting this concern in Exodus 7:8-22 and Acts 8:9-24. We must exercise caution to neither reject the true work that occurs in genuine awakening, squelch or grieve the Holy Spirit, nor fall into error and de-rail what God is doing.
An example of a group that fell into great error in following and consulting spirits of the dead is that of the Shakers. The Shakers became a movement that led many astray, and even hold some in error to this day. To learn of Richard McNamer and the Shakers, read A Little Leaven Away http://www.harvestnet.org/revref/leaven3bsect.htm Any leader or movement that encourages you to seek the dead is clearly contrary to scripture. Do not listen or follow these. (Isaiah 8:19-20, 1 Samuel 28:11-14, Revelations 21:8, Jeremiah 27:9)
Shaker building, now owned by the Methodists- near Lebanon, Ohio
Union Village Shaker Settlement, Lebanon, Ohio
One of the Shaker settlements in Ohio.
William Branham
William Branham also was a part of the early healing revivalists, more known for what is referred to as “words of knowledge”. He went astray into false teachings before he passed away, yet as can be seen in these tombstone images, he was exalted by his followers. His burial is in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
To learn more about William Branham, more is available here
John Alexander Dowie
John Alexander Dowie, used by God in early healing ministries (later got off track)
for more information, see John Alexander Dowie, by Gordon Lindsay
REGARDING MANIFESTATIONS AND DISCERNMENT
EXCERPT FROM MATERIAL BY B .J. ISAACS—
“In this dark hour, in this land it seems as if evil has the upper hand. The spiritual atmosphere grows darker with each passing day. There is a need for us to revisit the memorial stones of old. There is a need to recount the wonderful graces of God, the times when God stepped down in Revival power. We need to remember the times when the Almighty stepped down to change the course of our nation, just as He did for the Children of Israel. Revival is a grace from God.
During revival God often manifests His presence in extraordinary ways. The Prophet Isaiah cried “Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence— … That the nations might tremble at Your presence”. (Isaiah 64:1ff). This cry was a request for God to manifest His presence.
… There is a difference between the Presence of God and His manifest presence. When God steps down in revival power there are often manifestations of His presence. When seeking God to step down, when seeking God to manifest His presence, the focus must be on God drawing near. It must not be on just seeking manifestations.
God desires to manifest His presence. He has performed many miracles but the greatest example of His manifest Presence is found in Jesus Christ His Son.
WHAT THEN ARE SOME OF THE MANIFESTATIONS THAT CAN COME?
When God steps down, when God comes in Revival Power, what might it look like? We must remember that not all manifestations are of God.
In the [third part of Revival: The Consistency of God, B.J. Isaacs] will seek to document … thirty manifestations that have occurred in Scripture and in revival history. It did not seem to matter to God whether it was a Catholic monk (Girolamo Savonarola of the late 1400’s) or a Methodist or a Baptist, etc. The period of time in history didn’t stop the Lord. The nation made no difference. The darkness of the hour was not too much for the Spirit of God to change. What was God looking for to step down in revival power? In God’s own words:
‘If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’ (2 Chronicles 7:14)”
May God grant us great discernment as we seek God to Revive Us… to Revive our churches … to Revive our land. May we be guarded in our pursuit for God, and not fall into error. And may we also be protected against unduly shunning a work that should be stewarded, Shepherded, or embraced, and thus miss our own “day of visitation.”
REVIVE US, OH GOD