Join Southern Adventist University in a Powerful Community Prayer Partnership

More than 300 Christians gathered in Collegedale, Tennessee, for a revival focused on prayer. This event took place on the Southern Adventist University campus over six evenings in May. Titled “It’s Gonna Rain,” the revival was a joint effort by university departments and local Seventh-day Adventist churches.

Kris Eckenroth, the Alumni Council president and director of Retro Ministries, felt a strong call to unite the community in prayer. Despite the challenging task of organizing around busy schedules, he reached out to others, and everyone he contacted quickly agreed to participate.

Inspired by Zechariah 10:1, the goal was to seek God’s blessings. Eckenroth emphasized the need for this spiritual revival, noting, “The Bible tells us that we need the latter rain to share the gospel before Jesus returns.”

Each evening consisted of uplifting music and inspirational messages from different speakers. Attendees also engaged in small group prayers. Joseph Khabbaz, the university chaplain, observed a wonderful mix of ages coming together, creating bonds each night.

Greg King, a dean at the School of Religion, highlighted how busy lives often distract from spiritual focus. He found that the revival provided time for intentional prayer and fellowship. Jon Wood, president of Jesus for Asia, added that everyone shared a common goal: to lead others to Christ.

Beth Snyder, an associate professor in the nursing school, appreciated the time for confessions and deep discussions. She noted how these moments revealed shared struggles and a collective yearning for trust in God.

Plans are underway for another prayer event later this year, aiming to keep the momentum going. Eckenroth stated, “This was just the beginning,” showing a commitment to fostering growth through spiritual unity.

According to a recent survey from Barna Group, 55% of Christians say they wish to deepen their prayer life, underscoring the revival’s relevance in today’s world. Connecting in prayer not only strengthens community bonds but also fulfills a deep spiritual need many people feel.

As this revival demonstrates, coming together in faith can lead to powerful changes in our lives and communities.



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