Receiving word that revival is building anywhere in the nation is exciting news. However, the recent happenings in Orlando promoted by a worship and prayer meeting go beyond merely noteworthy and move to awe-inspiring and transformational. This event is even believed to be the beginning of a new era of evangelism.
The event, which took place on February 23, all started as part of a collaboration of national ministries called The Send. It included organizers such as Lou Engle Ministries, Christ for All Nations, and Youth With a Mission. Their purpose was to inspire every believer to substantiate their evangelistic calling. Their main goal was to create a war on inaction. The statement below by Send conveys the organization’s primary purpose and the response they have received so far:
“At The Send, we are calling every believer to take action. So far 16,656 have committed to fasting, 2,145 commitments to reaching High Schools, 1,878 committed to Universities, 4,134 committed to reaching their neighborhood. 482 have responded to the gospel. THE WAR ON INACTION HAS BEGUN.”
The term “war on inaction” is the focal point of the meeting.
“We have declared WAR ON INACTION. We believe that every believer who activates their Evangelistic or Missional call will spark the greatest revival in the history of the world,” event organizers wrote on Facebook. “‘Jesus Culture’ led us in worship powerfully and ‘Banning & Francis’ unpacked what it means to be an activated church.”
Speaker and organizer Lou Engle, who for years has been filling stadiums, sharing the message of fasting and prayer through his former ministry.
“We feel that we’re moving into an era in American history like the 70s. A new Jesus movement’s going to take place,” he said.
Engle, who hopes to follow in the footsteps of the great evangelist Rev. Billy Graham, went on to praise the budding movement’s momentum.
“I think it’s because God is breathing it,” he continued. “I’ve done so many gatherings, arenas, and stadiums and there are certain ones that seem like a wind suddenly blows and it’s way beyond social media. The Lord himself is creating the sound and people are hearing the sound. There’s a building expectation with the chaos of our present time in America that maybe Jesus is preparing the way for a mission’s movement out of the turmoil of the present moment.”
This event encouraged every believer who attended to commit to or “adopt” one mission field as their personal ministry focus. They include the following:
- Universities: This is important because only 2% of students currently participate in Christian organizations and/or groups.
- High Schools: Many high schools have no gospel presence, even though young people are most receptive to faith during this time.
- Neighborhoods: Willingness to reach out and evangelize within neighborhoods is important and often overlooked.
- Nations: This is more traditional missions, going out into the world and sharing Christ.
The numbers listed above show how many commitments have already been made within these fields.
Event organizers, speakers and attendees all hoped the Send meeting would morph into a new era of evangelism where inaction on the part of believers is attacked head on. This inaction could be in response to believers’ unwillingness to take a hard stand on important moral issues, such as abortion or traditional marriage. It also could include inaction when it comes to sharing faith with others, and seeing the world as a mission field. In the Bible, all believers are commissioned to share their faith.
In Matthew 28:19-20 states:
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
These verses are often called the Great Commission, and they command all believers, no matter their individual abilities to share their faith with others. This means every believer, not just the Billy Grahams, have been called to fulfill this Biblical command. The Send event is designed to equip and inspire believers to do just that. The mission statement the event lists on their site puts it even better:
“We are believing for today to be a tipping point of action for every believer. Together we will reach this generation.”
~ 1776 Christian
