The Asbury Revival was a significant religious event that occurred at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, in 1970. The revival began in late February and continued for several weeks, with many students and faculty members experiencing a deep spiritual awakening and renewal.
The revival was characterized by intense prayer, worship, and confession of sin. Students gathered in Hughes Auditorium, the college's largest assembly space, for hours-long sessions of singing, preaching, and testimonies. The preaching was marked by a powerful and urgent tone, calling students to repentance and a deeper commitment to Christ.
Many students reported feeling a deep sense of conviction and spiritual renewal during the revival. Some experienced physical manifestations such as weeping, trembling, and falling to the ground, which some attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit. The revival quickly spread beyond Asbury College and attracted national media attention.
While the Asbury Revival was generally seen as a positive and transformative event, it was not without controversy. Some criticized the revival as overly emotional or manipulative, and there were concerns about the pressure put on students to conform to a certain type of religious experience.
Despite the controversy, the Asbury Revival remains a significant event in the history of American evangelicalism, representing a moment of intense spiritual fervor and renewal for many individuals and communities.