“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
Memories sometimes magnify the good of past days. At other times, they can diminish what has been enjoyed. But when those memories are rooted in the reality of what God did through His people, they are wonderful – good for our souls and glorifying to our God.
It was my privilege recently to partner with a host of pastors, local churches, and fellow evangelists for a revival and gospel crusade. More than two years previous our team sat late one night with a small group of area pastors and listened to their hearts to sponsor a cooperative, area-wide event. That vision became a reality in Clarksburg, WV, in November of 2025.
My friend and one of the fellow evangelists in this meeting, John Van Gelderen, has written a wonderful synopsis of Awake 25 and the history of what led up to it. I would encourage you to take the time to read his encouraging article HERE. Permit me to share a few of my own observations.
While I have been in thousands of revival and gospel services through the years, there was a special sense of God’s presence among us at Awake 25. It is difficult to fully describe the deep work of God, and impossible to replicate it. Perhaps it is best to simply say: “This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23).
We know that God works through His people and through obedience to the divine principles He established. I witnessed that firsthand. It was a joy to bring the Bible message in the evening meetings, but I felt as if I were a student in the Lord’s class myself all week. He taught me more about His work through so many servants.
I remember. And, as I remember, I rejoice.
Remembering your “work of faith”
To host a multi-day, multi-church, multi-site gospel meeting is work. Tremendous amounts of work by a multitude of people. But this was more than human effort – it was a work of faith. Every good thing God does in this world, He does through faith. A group of men were willing to believe that in difficult days, God could send a spiritual awakening to their region. As they believed, they led their people to trust the Lord for definite answers to prayer and spiritual victories.
A faith that works is a working faith. Nursery workers, parking attendants, prayer leaders, singers, musicians, preachers, witnesses, children’s workers, meal preparers, ushers, greeters, personal workers, and an army. of other laborers behind the scenes, all did their work in faith. And God rewards faith.
One of the greatest hindrances to revival in our day is low expectations, low expectations rooted in unbelief. We must work with the confidence that God is at work. We cannot do what only He can do, and He will not do what He has given us to do.
Faith is not passive; it is active. I watched as hundreds of men and women, young and old, gave themselves tirelessly to the work day after day. It was a thrill to see believers from different churches and Christian workers from a variety of ministries working together with a “common faith” (Titus 1:4).
Thank God for local New Testament churches. As an evangelist, it is my joy to come alongside faithful pastors and people for the work of the gospel. My heart was encouraged to find several like-minded congregations who were pulling together to impact their Jerusalem. I will never forget their work of faith.
Remembering your “labour of love”
One of the characteristics of genuine spiritual awakening is a renewed consciousness of the love of God. All who attended can testify that the love of God permeated the spirit of Awake 25. And the love of God caused even the labour to be sweet.
First, there was a marked love for the Lord.
People sang and spoke with grateful hearts. Every testimony and song was about the Lord Jesus and His salvation. When the love of Christ captures our hearts, there is always a renewed consecration and desire for others to be saved (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). The week began with an emphasis on God’s people drawing near to God and naturally led to an emphasis on calling the lost to Christ.
Second, there was a noticeable love for one another.
Unnecessary division among the Lord’s people grieves the Holy Spirit. The first-century church did not know the full blessing of God until they were of “one accord” (Acts 1:14; 2:1), and neither will we. More than 30 churches were represented in the meeting, and there was a spirit of love and unity of purpose throughout. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
I am so grateful that our entire team was able to participate in the prayer meetings, soul-winning efforts, and preaching rallies. One of the unique blessings was being able to labor alongside so many fellow evangelists. Evangelists are rarely together, but this, by design, was a team effort. There was no agenda, but the gospel and all of us were just thrilled to do our part.
Third, there was a definite love for souls.
When God’s people begin to live eternally conscious, there is an increased passion to see sinners come to Christ. For weeks, the local churches labored to get a piece of gospel literature to every home in their communities. Christians carried gospel tracts and began gospel conversations. (Click HERE for tools and teaching for effective witnessing.) Family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors were brought to the meetings to hear the Word of God. People prayed fervently for the salvation of those they loved, and it was evident in the great harvest of souls.
“What’s Your Story?”
On our final night together, I asked everyone to find someone and share their story of how Christ had saved them. I stood at the front of the platform and watched as people around that great assembly hall spoke with joy of the difference Jesus had made in their hearts. Then, through the crowd, I saw two men walking down the aisle together. When they got to where I was, one of the men introduced me to his friend, whom he had brought to the meeting. When he asked him, “What’s your story?” he replied that he did not have such a story to tell but would like one. In those few moments, at the end of the last service, a Christian man full of the love of God brought his friend to Jesus. What a story! It is one of so many that only eternity will reveal.
Paul reminds us that what is done for Christ is done “in the sight of God and our Father.” Men may see the work, but only God sees all of the labor. God allows us to see some things, but He sees it all. Think of what we may see one day at the judgment seat!
Remembering your “patience of hope”
For nearly a decade, a group of pastors met every Friday morning to pray specifically for revival. Each year, their churches would come together for what they call Revival Prep meetings. The power of God may come suddenly, but it often follows a long season of believers seeking His face.
In any gospel endeavor, there is spiritual warfare, and there were attacks and opposition to be sure. But the people prayed their way through, and the battle is always won in prayer. God’s power does not come because of what is done on a platform but because of what is done in the prayer closet.
True patience is proven in constant prayer. Real hope is rooted in continued prayer. We wait on God with confidence that He hears, sees, and answers.
A Prayer Movement
Awake 25 was a prayer movement from start to finish. Great crowds gathered in different locations each morning to concentrate on prayer. My heart was overwhelmed with the nearness of God as believers confessed sin, interceded for others, and made fervent petitions. Every morning, these seasons of prayer would extend for no less than an hour and a half, without interruption. When we concluded, we were not exhausted. Instead, we knew we had experienced the “times of refreshing (that) come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). We drank deeply from the river of His presence, and it was wonderful.
In answer to prayer, many prodigals came back to the Lord, along with other spiritual breakthroughs. Just before the closing meeting, the kind gentleman who managed the venue called on Christ to be his Savior. After the final service concluded, a hardened sinner for whom many had prayed for years was gloriously saved.
Hope Realized
On Friday morning, I had the privilege to join that little band of original prayer partners for their weekly prayer meeting. It is still going on! As I listened to their earnest prayers, it became obvious why we had experienced such an amazing week. True humility and absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit characterized these good men. I was able to visit one of the original members of that group, who is now in a nursing home. Though a stroke has hindered his ability to fully express all that is in his heart, his tears told the story of a man who was still believing and praying and rejoicing in the goodness of God. Their patient hope had been realized. God came.
When Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica about their “work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope” he was addressing a local church that has often been called “a model church.” I truly believe that our friends in north central West Virginia have shown us a model that, if followed, could work anywhere for the advancement of the gospel and the awakening of the Lord’s people.
Revival is Possible
Remembering is not just reflecting on the past; it is believing God for the future. Spiritual memories increase your faith for the days ahead! God is still at work. Christ is still building His church. The Holy Spirit is still moving. The gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. People are still praying. The Word of God still works. Witnesses are still being used. Revival is still possible.
Spiritual Memory
And as we remember, we rejoice.
It is wonderful to be part of something bigger than ourselves. To be connected to Christ’s cause and laboring together with His people. This is God’s work, and this is God’s way. It is my sincere prayer that others will be stirred to pray, obey, and advance the gospel in many places.
There is fruit that remains in north central West Virginia, for which we are grateful. The fruit continues to grow in hearts and homes, in families and churches. To God be the glory. But perhaps a seed of it will fall on other hungry souls who read these words and bring even more fruit in many other places. Spiritual remembering always stirs the heart.
- “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God…” (2 Timothy 1:6)
- “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2 Peter 1:12-13).
- “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:” (2 Peter 3:1).
Remember that the same God who has worked in previous generations is still at work today. Believe Him for big things. Pray big prayers. Seek to advance the gospel wherever you are. Soon we will meet at His throne to remember and rejoice together.
RESOURCE: Be sure to read Scott’s book, Revival Praying.
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