Revival - 1970
INTRODUCTION
The turmoil of the 1960’s shocked and changed American society as no previous decade in the history of the United States. Violence, rejection of traditional values, and uncertainty deeply penetrated the various strata of society. At the beginning of the spring semester (1970) all of the students at Lee had experienced these events to a lesser or greater degree. Since whole books and multiplied articles have been written on this decade, just a short review of the environment will be offered here.
Every student enrolled for the 1970 spring semester, freshman through seniors alike, had lived during the turmoil and change of the 1960’s. This decade with its revolutionary events changed the United States in a greater way than any previous decade in our nation’s history. Following are some of the major events and concepts which occurred and impacted those of us living at that time to a lesser or greater degree depending on our age and living location.
THE COLD WAR
Strong words and threatening actions by the U.S.S.R. created an ongoing tension. Would there be a nuclear war as each side increased their missile arsenal. Nikita Khrushchev had loudly and publicly proclaimed, “we will bury you”. In 1962 this resulted in the Cuban Missile Crisis as Russia attempted to set up missile sites just 90 miles from our Florida border. If brought to completion all parts of our country would have been within range of their medium missiles.
ASSASSINATIONS
November 22, 1963 - President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in his motorcade in Dallas, Texas. All scheduled events were cancelled for several days as we as a nation mourned this unbelievable event.
February 21, 1965 - Malcom X, a black controversial civil rights leader, was killed in a hail of bullets in Manhattan, New York. Several shooters were arrested, but the organization planning his death was never identified.
April 14, 1968 - Dr. Martin Luther King was shot and killed as he stood on the balcony of his Memphis, Tennessee, hotel. It was the morning after his impromptu, historic speech, “I Have Been To The Mountain”.
June 5, 1968 - Robert F. Kennedy shot and killed in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He was campaigning to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
CULTURAL REVOLUTION
This cultural revolution included philosophical change, a sexual revolution, and the introduction to a drug culture. Philosophically there was the erosion of absolutism (definite right and wrong). Relativism crept in with its tenets based on situational ethics. Hugh Hefner and his Playboy empire fueled by hedonism and popularized by an emphasis on pleasure, especially sexual activity with no restraint as long as “no one gets hurt” made marriage an unnecessary union. Not to be overlooked is the FDA’s approval of birth-control pills in 1960.
Timothy Leary, a psychologist, and former Harvard professor advocated exploring psychedelic drugs, especially LSD for therapeutic and spiritual drugs. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that he turned an entire generation onto psychedelic drugs without consideration of their long-term emotional and psychological damage. No wonder President Richard Nixon called him the most dangerous man in America.
VIETNAM
When 100 US soldiers landed in this country in March of 1965, very few could imagine the firestorm of death and division which this name would continue to represent in following decades. During the Tet Offensive of 1968 500,000 US troops were on the mainland. To fill the need for more soldiers the Selective Service (the draft) thrust many young men into tension as to when their number would be called to serve in this far away, bloody conflict shortly after their 18thbirthday. Statistics vary; however, it is agreed that some 58,000 were killed in action and non-combat activities. Approximately 153,000 were wounded in action.
In response to this war, protests of various types took place. There were sit ins where college students peacefully took over university offices including that of the school’s President. Some men burned their draft cards and young ladies their bras. All of this was in full eye of public media. Others fled to Canada when their draft notices arrived, or their numbers were about to be selected. Not to be forgotten are the many who enrolled in college for the study deferment (2S) to keep them out of the army if their grades met the standard.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: As an 18-year-old signing up for Selective Service in the middle of the 60s I even now understand the tension of your draft status being moved from 1A to 4D to 1A to 2S all within the first two years of being in college.
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 enacted on July 2 of the same year has been described as one of the most significant legislative achievements in the history of the United States. It prohibited unequal application of voter registration requirements, employment discrimination, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations (hotels, restaurants).
A long, tense and at time violent struggle over a period of decades finally results in a statement of equality for all and the protection of that right. Many of the Lee students were raised in an environment of discrimination. They knew about the Freedom Riders and the Selma, Alabama, marches. Now they were faced with making major adjustments in their thinking as a new normal became law.
Shortly after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the Church of God General Assembly adopted a Resolution on Human Rights. A portion of it is as follows: “no American should because of his race, or religion be deprived of his right to worship, vote, rest, eat, sleep or be educated, live and work on the same basis as other citizens . . .” Two years later at the 1966 General Assembly the following statement is included as a reaffirmation of the actions of the previous assembly. “WHEREAS any reference to the separation of ethnic or racial groups in the Church of God is incongruent with the resolution on human rights passed at the 1964 General Assembly.” That fall semester Lee was desegregated. Three black American students, Deborah Bacon, Larry Cox, and Hazel Edwards, set the new standard for enrollment at Lee.
OTHER CULTURAL IMPACTS
The temptation is to briefly discuss each which will follow; however, a simple listing will provide a further picture of other events which were bringing change.
REVIVAL BEGINS
Perhaps not in this same dramatic fashion, [Acts 2 1-4} but in an eventful way God worked out, the day of Pentecost as Lee College. Students who had been seeking God for a long time for various needs, suddenly found their prayers answered.
Wednesday, April 15, started as a usual day for hundreds of Lee College students. Classes were attended in the usual slothful manner with occasional greeting of friends along the way. Chapel that morning was still required attendance; however, something was different on this spring morning.
The turmoil of the 1960’s shocked and changed American society as no previous decade in the history of the United States. Violence, rejection of traditional values, and uncertainty deeply penetrated the various strata of society. At the beginning of the spring semester (1970) all of the students at Lee had experienced these events to a lesser or greater degree. Since whole books and multiplied articles have been written on this decade, just a short review of the environment will be offered here.
Every student enrolled for the 1970 spring semester, freshman through seniors alike, had lived during the turmoil and change of the 1960’s. This decade with its revolutionary events changed the United States in a greater way than any previous decade in our nation’s history. Following are some of the major events and concepts which occurred and impacted those of us living at that time to a lesser or greater degree depending on our age and living location.
THE COLD WAR
Strong words and threatening actions by the U.S.S.R. created an ongoing tension. Would there be a nuclear war as each side increased their missile arsenal. Nikita Khrushchev had loudly and publicly proclaimed, “we will bury you”. In 1962 this resulted in the Cuban Missile Crisis as Russia attempted to set up missile sites just 90 miles from our Florida border. If brought to completion all parts of our country would have been within range of their medium missiles.
ASSASSINATIONS
November 22, 1963 - President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in his motorcade in Dallas, Texas. All scheduled events were cancelled for several days as we as a nation mourned this unbelievable event.
February 21, 1965 - Malcom X, a black controversial civil rights leader, was killed in a hail of bullets in Manhattan, New York. Several shooters were arrested, but the organization planning his death was never identified.
April 14, 1968 - Dr. Martin Luther King was shot and killed as he stood on the balcony of his Memphis, Tennessee, hotel. It was the morning after his impromptu, historic speech, “I Have Been To The Mountain”.
June 5, 1968 - Robert F. Kennedy shot and killed in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He was campaigning to be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.
CULTURAL REVOLUTION
This cultural revolution included philosophical change, a sexual revolution, and the introduction to a drug culture. Philosophically there was the erosion of absolutism (definite right and wrong). Relativism crept in with its tenets based on situational ethics. Hugh Hefner and his Playboy empire fueled by hedonism and popularized by an emphasis on pleasure, especially sexual activity with no restraint as long as “no one gets hurt” made marriage an unnecessary union. Not to be overlooked is the FDA’s approval of birth-control pills in 1960.
Timothy Leary, a psychologist, and former Harvard professor advocated exploring psychedelic drugs, especially LSD for therapeutic and spiritual drugs. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that he turned an entire generation onto psychedelic drugs without consideration of their long-term emotional and psychological damage. No wonder President Richard Nixon called him the most dangerous man in America.
VIETNAM
When 100 US soldiers landed in this country in March of 1965, very few could imagine the firestorm of death and division which this name would continue to represent in following decades. During the Tet Offensive of 1968 500,000 US troops were on the mainland. To fill the need for more soldiers the Selective Service (the draft) thrust many young men into tension as to when their number would be called to serve in this far away, bloody conflict shortly after their 18thbirthday. Statistics vary; however, it is agreed that some 58,000 were killed in action and non-combat activities. Approximately 153,000 were wounded in action.
In response to this war, protests of various types took place. There were sit ins where college students peacefully took over university offices including that of the school’s President. Some men burned their draft cards and young ladies their bras. All of this was in full eye of public media. Others fled to Canada when their draft notices arrived, or their numbers were about to be selected. Not to be forgotten are the many who enrolled in college for the study deferment (2S) to keep them out of the army if their grades met the standard.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: As an 18-year-old signing up for Selective Service in the middle of the 60s I even now understand the tension of your draft status being moved from 1A to 4D to 1A to 2S all within the first two years of being in college.
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 enacted on July 2 of the same year has been described as one of the most significant legislative achievements in the history of the United States. It prohibited unequal application of voter registration requirements, employment discrimination, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations (hotels, restaurants).
A long, tense and at time violent struggle over a period of decades finally results in a statement of equality for all and the protection of that right. Many of the Lee students were raised in an environment of discrimination. They knew about the Freedom Riders and the Selma, Alabama, marches. Now they were faced with making major adjustments in their thinking as a new normal became law.
Shortly after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the Church of God General Assembly adopted a Resolution on Human Rights. A portion of it is as follows: “no American should because of his race, or religion be deprived of his right to worship, vote, rest, eat, sleep or be educated, live and work on the same basis as other citizens . . .” Two years later at the 1966 General Assembly the following statement is included as a reaffirmation of the actions of the previous assembly. “WHEREAS any reference to the separation of ethnic or racial groups in the Church of God is incongruent with the resolution on human rights passed at the 1964 General Assembly.” That fall semester Lee was desegregated. Three black American students, Deborah Bacon, Larry Cox, and Hazel Edwards, set the new standard for enrollment at Lee.
OTHER CULTURAL IMPACTS
The temptation is to briefly discuss each which will follow; however, a simple listing will provide a further picture of other events which were bringing change.
- The Beatles (the four mope heads) came to America. They were highlighted on The Ed Sullivan prime time television program. Other British rock groups soon follow. They made Elvis Presley and Chubby Checker appear somewhat mild.
- Vatican II (1962-65) First General Council in the Roman Catholic Church to meet in nearly 100 years. It set the stage for the worship renewal to develop in a cross section of denominations.
- Jesus People Revival (1967 -1972) Demonstrated that long haired, sexually active hippies outside the covenant of marriage, scantily clothed, and living in communions could experience life changing salvation.
- Lunar landing (July 20, 1969) Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first two men to land on the moon.
REVIVAL BEGINS
Perhaps not in this same dramatic fashion, [Acts 2 1-4} but in an eventful way God worked out, the day of Pentecost as Lee College. Students who had been seeking God for a long time for various needs, suddenly found their prayers answered.
Wednesday, April 15, started as a usual day for hundreds of Lee College students. Classes were attended in the usual slothful manner with occasional greeting of friends along the way. Chapel that morning was still required attendance; however, something was different on this spring morning.
I cannot say it was due to the Viking basketball team being in charge of the chapel that caused God’s power to overwhelm us, because they had been in charge of chapel before. But on that Wednesday as players testified, something wonderful happened. God’s Holy Spirit wrought a change that has continued ever since. Students all over the auditorium began to weep and rejoice as God moved them.
At 1:00 p.m. that same day, I was headed to class when praying and praising filled my ears and caused my path to lead me back to the auditorium. As I entered, I expected to see ten or twenty students praying; however, what I saw astounded me. Over 200 students were still seeking God for various needs. Truly, Joel foretold this day in his writing: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28
(The above excerpt is taken from George F. Johnson’s article, “Holy Ghost Sweeps Campus”, in the May 13, 1970, issue of the campus newspaper, “Lee Collegian”.)
Further paragraphs describe some of the revival activities Thursday through Saturday.
As indicated previously the chapel service did not end during the normal time for benediction. At 4:00 p. m. the auditorium is again filled and the prayer and testifying continued until about 5:30 p.m. Evening services were not planned or scheduled, but they took place. Both auditoriums on campus as well as dormitory rooms became places for this revival spirit to continue, many of these gatherings lasting all night.
Before continuing any further, it is vital to give a few descriptive words of this phenomenal move of God:
Spontaneous: It was not part of a scheduled convocation or series of emphases. It took place during the regular pattern of college chapels. There was no dynamic evangelist or “high powered” speaker providing a challenge or direction.
Student lead: It exploded while a member of the basketball team was testifying with tears streaming down his face. Later in the day students were leading the prayer groups in the auditoriums and dorm rooms as the Spirit overflowed the campus even to the lawn areas.
Dramatic: Students experienced the eminent, powerful presence of God that will impact them for the rest of their lives. Some of their testimonies will be shared later in this paper.
Spiritual: It drew individuals to prayer and Bible study plus being a continuing influence in the years of life which followed.
Pentecostal: A powerful evidence of the Holy Spirit descended as people received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, giving interpretation, and individuals being slain in the Spirit.
God is sovereign. He alone determines when the fires of renewal fall upon His gathered people. However, we also know there is the need for hearts to desire and to prepare for what God has in store. This was true in the preceding semesters. During the previous college year leaders of the regular prayer meetings would gather after the dismissal of their groups. They would find a place and continue in prayer among themselves.
CHAPEL WEDNESDAY MORNING APRIL15
This was not the first time for the basketball team to be in charge of the chapel service. Also, occasionally team members and cheerleaders would lead a Sunday service in various churches where they would sing and testify. But the events of this day far exceeded anyone's previous experience or imagination.
Following are some descriptions of that morning when the spiritual awakening swept the campus:
One student remembers,
Further paragraphs describe some of the revival activities Thursday through Saturday.
As indicated previously the chapel service did not end during the normal time for benediction. At 4:00 p. m. the auditorium is again filled and the prayer and testifying continued until about 5:30 p.m. Evening services were not planned or scheduled, but they took place. Both auditoriums on campus as well as dormitory rooms became places for this revival spirit to continue, many of these gatherings lasting all night.
Before continuing any further, it is vital to give a few descriptive words of this phenomenal move of God:
Spontaneous: It was not part of a scheduled convocation or series of emphases. It took place during the regular pattern of college chapels. There was no dynamic evangelist or “high powered” speaker providing a challenge or direction.
Student lead: It exploded while a member of the basketball team was testifying with tears streaming down his face. Later in the day students were leading the prayer groups in the auditoriums and dorm rooms as the Spirit overflowed the campus even to the lawn areas.
Dramatic: Students experienced the eminent, powerful presence of God that will impact them for the rest of their lives. Some of their testimonies will be shared later in this paper.
Spiritual: It drew individuals to prayer and Bible study plus being a continuing influence in the years of life which followed.
Pentecostal: A powerful evidence of the Holy Spirit descended as people received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, giving interpretation, and individuals being slain in the Spirit.
God is sovereign. He alone determines when the fires of renewal fall upon His gathered people. However, we also know there is the need for hearts to desire and to prepare for what God has in store. This was true in the preceding semesters. During the previous college year leaders of the regular prayer meetings would gather after the dismissal of their groups. They would find a place and continue in prayer among themselves.
CHAPEL WEDNESDAY MORNING APRIL15
This was not the first time for the basketball team to be in charge of the chapel service. Also, occasionally team members and cheerleaders would lead a Sunday service in various churches where they would sing and testify. But the events of this day far exceeded anyone's previous experience or imagination.
Following are some descriptions of that morning when the spiritual awakening swept the campus:
One student remembers,
I was in the service being conducted by Coach Dale Hughes. Players were giving testimonies about recent experiences. When Ricky Williams gave his testimony, I can only describe it as different from most of the others. He was weeping and obviously sensing the presence of the Holy Spirit. This seemed to spread to others, including myself, as we joined in praising God for what He had done in Ricky’s life.
Another student remembers,
Yes, I was present when the revival spontaneously broke out during the morning chapel service. As the men’s basketball team were in charge of the service, I believe only 3 or 4 could legitimately testify. I used to run with the rest of the guys, I was pretty sure they wouldn’t be testifying. However, the Holy Spirit sovereignly moved, and these guys made public confessions and repentance. Students were publicly repenting, were broken & weeping and genuinely humbling themselves before God.
A third student remembers,
That first morning as I recall, Ricky Williams, one of the basketball teammates was giving his testimony when God began to move in. I left as soon as I could so I really don’t know what happened in the auditorium after I left. After that I really wasn’t around until Thursday night when the prayer gathering had moved to the basement of the Science building.
This third student's testimony will be continued under the heading of The Revival Continues. He was not a believer at this point.
There was no formal dismissal of the chapel service. It continued until late in the afternoon. Some students went to their classes or work only to return as quickly as possible.
Following is the account of a married student who left the chapel earlier only to return
later in the afternoon:
Following is the account of a married student who left the chapel earlier only to return
later in the afternoon:
…I had to visit the mailroom supervised by Grace Golden. A speaker had been wired to the mailroom for her to hear the usual chapel services. I heard a combination of instrumental music, praying and praising God. When I inquired about these sounds, Sister Golden told me that the service was still in progress. My curiosity demanded that I go see for myself.
I walked a few steps to the auditorium and entered the lobby. What I actually felt was a sensation that I have not felt since that day. My flesh seemed to be saturated in electrical charges. My hair seemed to stand on end. So, I entered the chapel to see everyone involved in some form of worship. It was powerful, real. It was orderly as well, as people wept, prayed, and seemed exercised by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
THE REVIVAL CONTINUES
Some students left the chapel service for lunch in the next-door cafeteria or to go to classes. Later they returned to continue to join in prayer. This spirit of prayer was also seen in classrooms. The devotional time often resulted in the whole class period being a time of seeking the Lord. Spiritual gifts were seen there as well as in the various prayer meetings springing up across campus. “When we tried to go to class quite often the Holy Spirit would overwhelm the class. People accepted Christ in the classrooms.”
This spirit of prayer continued in dorm rooms, dorm prayer rooms, the auditoriums, and even outside on the lawn. These were spontaneous gatherings of students led by students. Word of a prayer gathering would spread through the campus with students going to those specific locales.
Following are some of the questionnaire and interview responses which reflect the emphasis on prayer.
Some students left the chapel service for lunch in the next-door cafeteria or to go to classes. Later they returned to continue to join in prayer. This spirit of prayer was also seen in classrooms. The devotional time often resulted in the whole class period being a time of seeking the Lord. Spiritual gifts were seen there as well as in the various prayer meetings springing up across campus. “When we tried to go to class quite often the Holy Spirit would overwhelm the class. People accepted Christ in the classrooms.”
This spirit of prayer continued in dorm rooms, dorm prayer rooms, the auditoriums, and even outside on the lawn. These were spontaneous gatherings of students led by students. Word of a prayer gathering would spread through the campus with students going to those specific locales.
Following are some of the questionnaire and interview responses which reflect the emphasis on prayer.
I went to my dorm prayer room every day to spend time in devotion. I prayed regularly with a small group of young ministers and also spent a great deal of time in personal prayer seeking intimacy with God.
Many students, after their classes, returned to the auditorium to pray... students were coming to the Lord, many were seeking direction for their lives, and many more were being filled with the Holy Spirit.
[In the classrooms] someone would begin praying and allowing the Spirit to move and prayer would continue throughout the room.
A little humor needs to be included here. Several ladies shared their wig disasters. Girls in one of the dorms had already changed clothes to go to bed when they heard things “were really popping in Brown auditorium. Quickly changing clothes, they joined in the prayer and praise. In the haste to leave one of them failed to properly secure her wig. She recalls “I was sitting on a step near the seats. The Spirit moved, and I fell back between the seats. When I did the hair piece I was wearing fell off. The girl I was sitting nearby burst into laughter. I was sure glad I wasn’t down front.”
Another person shares being in the prayer room in the basement of Nora Chambers. “I remember praying there and becoming slain in the Spirit. I had a hair piece on to give my hair more “poof” during the style of that day. It came off when I fell on the floor! LOL”
The powerful presence of God continuing to overshadow the campus is reflected in these next testimonies:
Another person shares being in the prayer room in the basement of Nora Chambers. “I remember praying there and becoming slain in the Spirit. I had a hair piece on to give my hair more “poof” during the style of that day. It came off when I fell on the floor! LOL”
The powerful presence of God continuing to overshadow the campus is reflected in these next testimonies:
There was such a heavy anointing of God in this time. By the end of the second day I remember returning again to the auditorium to pray. When I opened the doors to the auditorium, there was a haze, like smoke over the whole auditorium. I have often referred to it as the Shekinah glory of God over those praying. I have not experienced this in a service, since that time.
After that [Wednesday morning chapel] I really wasn’t around until Thursday night when the prayer gathering had moved to the basement of the science building [Brown Auditorium]. When I arrived, I did not detect any one leader. Mostly people crying and weeping out loud with some spontaneous singing of praise songs, but no instruments that I recall. There was just an incredible presence of the Holy Spirit that was really indescribable except to say that I could not resist falling on my knees in awe and wonder. When I could get up, don’t recall how long, I was on my knees, but I do know that when I did get up I was not the same since. I have experienced God’s presence many times since that Thursday night in the last 53 years, but never in quite the same way.
I remember sitting in the old Brown Auditorium in the basement of the Science building during some of the prayer and intercession times. There was a strong sense of awe and the presence of the Lord – weighty, deep, and stimulated reflection. There were spontaneous outbreaks of song. You could hear people praying in tongues quite often and then sometimes messages in tongues and interpretation.
I recall periods of praise with people praying out loud together. At other times there would be periods of near silence with weeping and personal reflection.
This prayer reflection would not be complete without including the existence of the lower prayer room under the auditorium. It was an abandoned storage room. A current freshman’s father came and cleaned it out so it could be used. Sparsely furnished with a few chairs and a “ratty” carpet, this became the place for some spiritual breakthroughs and specific guidance from the Holy Spirit. There was a hole in the wall providing access under the floor of the auditorium. A few students crawled in there and made it a private, isolated place of prayer.
Not to be overlooked are the powerful demonstrations of the Holy Spirit. Several incidents of being “slain in the Spirit” have already been shared. Three more further the work of the Holy Spirit. One individual remembers walking on the campus after dark found a female student lying on the grass under the influence of the Spirit. Caring for her safety he and another student picked her up and carried her to the dorm. There was no interruption of her worship and spiritual experience.
Another student recalls how he and a friend met walking from the science building to the administration building. “James raised his hand in praising the Lord. The Holy Spirit sent him in one direction and me another direction. We lay on the grass for an extended period of time praising the Lord.”
Reflecting on some highlights of this move of God another student stated, “the sense of awe and weightiness and seeing students lying on the grass under the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.”
IMPACT OF THE REVIVAL
There are no statistics on conversions, Spirit baptisms, re-dedications, or callings to ministry. However, a sharing of recollections provides a brief overview of how lives were impacted:
Not to be overlooked are the powerful demonstrations of the Holy Spirit. Several incidents of being “slain in the Spirit” have already been shared. Three more further the work of the Holy Spirit. One individual remembers walking on the campus after dark found a female student lying on the grass under the influence of the Spirit. Caring for her safety he and another student picked her up and carried her to the dorm. There was no interruption of her worship and spiritual experience.
Another student recalls how he and a friend met walking from the science building to the administration building. “James raised his hand in praising the Lord. The Holy Spirit sent him in one direction and me another direction. We lay on the grass for an extended period of time praising the Lord.”
Reflecting on some highlights of this move of God another student stated, “the sense of awe and weightiness and seeing students lying on the grass under the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.”
IMPACT OF THE REVIVAL
There are no statistics on conversions, Spirit baptisms, re-dedications, or callings to ministry. However, a sharing of recollections provides a brief overview of how lives were impacted:
- All the basketball players are Christians now, and we have really grown in the fullness of the Spirit.
- I came to major in education and was called to pastor.
- One young man I knew became a Christian, and was prepared to meet Jesus when killed in a tragic work accident several years later.
- After the fire and emotionalism subsided, people continued to study God’s Word in nightly sessions.
- It was as though the entire campus was under a cloud of blessing that continually overtook people all over campus. I have never seen such a thing happen over that length of time before or since. My faith grew to new levels.
It is amazing how many of the students impacted in this revival went on into kingdom ministry as pastors, youth leaders, college professors, missionaries, and denominational administrators, and faithful church members! They impacted the next fifty years of ministry in the Church of God.
OTHER OSERVATIONS
SUMMARY THOUGHTS
Regretfully far too many have separated academic disciplines and spiritual ministry. To do so places a great divide between education and practical ministry. It totally overlooks the many historical revivals which have impacted colleges as well as being a catalyst for wonderful movements of spiritual renewal.
This brief review of the 1970 Lee College revival once again reminds us of what can take place in any setting where there is a concentrated bathing in prayer and intercession. It demonstrates how individuals can be impacted by the Spirit and their being directed for the rest of their lives.
This revival and others in previous decades are part of the spiritual heritage of Lee College, now Lee University. Hopefully we will not neglect our past, but let it be an ongoing foundation for the future.
OTHER OSERVATIONS
- Since this was a student lead spiritual renewal, faculty members were not the “upfront” leaders. Many of them did attend the student gatherings as their class schedules and other responsibilities allowed. Most of the faculty were open to the impromptu moved of the Holy Spirit in their classrooms and fairly lenient to absences for attending the prayer and worship gatherings during the day. However, there were a few who said God knew this was a college and academics were the first responsibility. This may have been partially due to some students using the revival as an excuse to escape academic responsibilities.
- Not all of the students were equally involved in the spiritual renewal. Some were married, living off campus, and holding jobs with required work hours. A few others said they were making plans to get married or going on an international singing tours which resulted in major time preparation prior to graduation.
- Friday afternoon and Saturday of that week were activities as part of the annual Lee Day. Upon arriving on campus Friday, they “experienced students praising God, weeping, dancing in the Spirit in the cafeteria, and many more just rejoicing.” Some of the visiting students expressed and even greater desire to become a student at Lee having experienced this spiritual awakening first hand.
SUMMARY THOUGHTS
Regretfully far too many have separated academic disciplines and spiritual ministry. To do so places a great divide between education and practical ministry. It totally overlooks the many historical revivals which have impacted colleges as well as being a catalyst for wonderful movements of spiritual renewal.
This brief review of the 1970 Lee College revival once again reminds us of what can take place in any setting where there is a concentrated bathing in prayer and intercession. It demonstrates how individuals can be impacted by the Spirit and their being directed for the rest of their lives.
This revival and others in previous decades are part of the spiritual heritage of Lee College, now Lee University. Hopefully we will not neglect our past, but let it be an ongoing foundation for the future.
This article was provided by Dr. Jerald J. Daffe, retired professor of Pastoral Studies at Lee University. It is from his June 2024 paper titled "1970 Lee College Revival: A Brief Sketch of a Dynamic Move of the Holy Spirit on the Lee College Campus" and shared with his permission. Here are some additional thoughts he offers:
Wednesday, April 15, 1970, through Saturday, April 18, 1970, were four days when a spontaneous revival swept over the campus of Lee College. The narrative of this impact of the Holy Spirit’s changing lives has unintentionally been stored in a few printed articles of that time period and the memories of those in attendance. At the time of this writing fifty-four years have passed (1970-2024).
Only in the past several years did I hear about this life-changing spiritual renewal. As a person who loves Church History and specifically revivals, it became evident that a further narrative of this 1970 revival needed to be developed for current readers and a historical record. What you will read is just a brief overview of the events which occurred as the Holy Spirit inundated this small campus.
Many spiritual renewals in local churches and Christian organizations are lost as memories dim or individuals take them to their grave. Regretfully, current generations never hear of the actions of the Holy Spirit in the past and His desire for them to be a reality in their lifetime.
Thank you to the following individuals who provided information on this wonderful revival! Hopefully, I have not left any names out. However, if I did, please accept my sincere apology.
Kenneth Andrews
Tonya Tribble Bell
Ted Burke
Greg Cain
Harry Dale
Louis F. Morgan
Carolyn Dirksen
Randy Eubanks
David Griffis
Ray Hurt
Carolyn Smith Hurt
Bill Jaber
Alan McClung
Ben McGlamery
Victor Pagan
David Roebuck
Gary Trenum
/ J. J. Daffe
Wednesday, April 15, 1970, through Saturday, April 18, 1970, were four days when a spontaneous revival swept over the campus of Lee College. The narrative of this impact of the Holy Spirit’s changing lives has unintentionally been stored in a few printed articles of that time period and the memories of those in attendance. At the time of this writing fifty-four years have passed (1970-2024).
Only in the past several years did I hear about this life-changing spiritual renewal. As a person who loves Church History and specifically revivals, it became evident that a further narrative of this 1970 revival needed to be developed for current readers and a historical record. What you will read is just a brief overview of the events which occurred as the Holy Spirit inundated this small campus.
Many spiritual renewals in local churches and Christian organizations are lost as memories dim or individuals take them to their grave. Regretfully, current generations never hear of the actions of the Holy Spirit in the past and His desire for them to be a reality in their lifetime.
Thank you to the following individuals who provided information on this wonderful revival! Hopefully, I have not left any names out. However, if I did, please accept my sincere apology.
Kenneth Andrews
Tonya Tribble Bell
Ted Burke
Greg Cain
Harry Dale
Louis F. Morgan
Carolyn Dirksen
Randy Eubanks
David Griffis
Ray Hurt
Carolyn Smith Hurt
Bill Jaber
Alan McClung
Ben McGlamery
Victor Pagan
David Roebuck
Gary Trenum
/ J. J. Daffe