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2023 Asbury revival

Part of Methodism
The exterior of Hughes Auditorium
Duration	February 8, 2023–February 24, 2023
Venue	(Initially) Hughes Auditorium on the campus of Asbury University (Subsequently) Other buildings in Wilmore, McKenna and Estes Chapels on the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary; Great Commission Church and Mt Freedom Baptist Church.
Location	Asbury University (primary) and other colleges and seminaries in the United States
Also known as	Asbury Outpouring, Asbury Awakening
Cause	Undergraduate students remaining in Hughes Auditorium after weekly chapel services for spontaneous worship and prayer.
Participants	50,000–70,000

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The 2023 Asbury revival was a Christian revival at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. The revival was sparked by students spontaneously staying in Hughes Auditorium following a regularly scheduled chapel service on February 8, 2023. Following the gathering, Asbury President Kevin Brown sent out a brief two-sentence email: "There's worship happening in Hughes. You're welcome to join." The news of the phenomenon quickly spread through social media and in Christian online publications. The revival has been compared to similar revivals at Asbury, notably one that took place in 1970, which had far-reaching consequences in Methodism, culture of the United States, and the growth of the Jesus movement. Notably, news of the revival largely spread on social media, as the participants were mainly members of Generation Z. It was attended by approximately 15,000 people each day. By its end, the revival brought 50,000–70,000 visitors to Wilmore, representing more than 200 academic institutions and multiple countries.

Background

Asbury University is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement, with chapel attendance being mandatory for students on designated weekdays. On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, a handful of students remained in the chapel following a regularly scheduled service. Undergrad Alison Perfater, student body president at the time, said in an interview with Tucker Carlson, that it was after a fellow student decided to openly confess some of his sins to the small group when "the atmosphere changed". According to Perfater:

For seemingly no reason at first on Wednesday, February 8 it didn't end. That's kind of the logistical side of what's been going on. On the deeper side of things, what's been happening here since Wednesday is there's a young army of believers who are rising to claim Christianity, the faith, as their own, as a young generation and as a free generation, and that's why people cannot get enough.

Initially only student publications, Methodist circles, and some social media posts shared news of the event. Asbury's history of revivals dates back to 1905, 1908, 1921, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1992, and 2006. The 1970 revival at Asbury had far-reaching cultural effects, and remains central to the construction of Asbury's spiritual identity. The revival has been described as calm, with some commentators having noted the absence of many contemporary worship features. The revival was additionally significant because of its spread on social media, particularly among Generation Z, the most irreligious generation in US history. On February 15, hashtag "asburyrevival" had over 24 million views on TikTok, which increased to 63 million by February 18.

Responses to the revival in the same time-frame were reported at other university campuses, such as Samford University, Cedarville University and University of the Cumberlands. The revival notably is ecumenical in its expression, with Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic groups participating in its spread. Visitors told The Washington Post stories of "miracles and healing" they witnessed at the event, along with unparalleled hospitality by locals and students.

Timeline

Measles case

An unvaccinated person from Jessamine County, Kentucky who attended the revival on 18 February 2023 tested positive for the measles following their attendance at the revival. The case was the third in Kentucky in the three months before the revival. Unvaccinated attendees were asked by public health officials to quarantine for 21 days following exposure and then get immunized.

See also

• Evangelicalism
• Ichthus Festival
• Wesleyan theology

References

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2. Willingham, A. J. (February 18, 2023). "A nonstop worship gathering at a Kentucky school echoes an old Christian tradition". CNN. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
3. "Outpouring". Asbury University. Archived from the original on February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
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5. B. J. Oropeza, "The Current Revival in Asbury: Sensing the Presence of God and 4 Principles from the Past Archived February 25, 2023, at the Wayback Machine" Patheos/General Christian/In Christ (February 16, 2023)
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37. Methodist Society of the Episcopal Church (February 13, 2023). "In response to those in the Methodist movement seeking, praying for, and participating in revival, join us at 8PM via live stream or in person at Virginia Theological Seminary's Octagon Room (in the chapel) for a Wesleyan Covenant Service. #asburyrevival" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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40. Beck A. Taylor (February 16, 2023). "I just spent 90 minutes w/ students in Reid Chapel. Hundreds lined the pews & aisles singing, praying, giving witness to the Lord. It's real, genuine, vulnerable, passionate, biblical, and all about Jesus. I asked some students what they found encouraging. Here's their responses:" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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49. Today, MARK MAYNARD, Kentucky. "Sunday will be last public evening service at Asbury University". Kentucky Today. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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52. Staff, WKYT News; Tombs, Jeremy. "Health officials: New measles case linked to Asbury revival". www.wave3.com. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
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55. ^ Key, Jennie. "Measles case in Kentucky linked to viral Christian revival at Asbury University, officials say". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
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57. Keck, Matthew (February 25, 2023). "Health officials: Person who attended Asbury University revival tested positive for measles". WLKY. Retrieved February 28, 2023.

• 2023 in Christianity
• 2023 in Kentucky
• February 2023 events in the United States
• Christian revivals
• Asbury University
• Jessamine County, Kentucky
• Methodism in Kentucky