The fires of revival spread on the embers of testimony.
We are collecting fresh stories of God’s work to encourage the Body of Christ and stoke hunger and faith to spark spiritual breakthroughs. Share your story with us!
I never expected this. I’ve prayed for revival, interceded for my church, and longed to see people stirred to seek God. But I didn’t anticipate how He would move—through an unlikely spark, a simple act of obedience, and a young woman named Rosa.
For years, I’d been involved in intercession, faithfully asking God to awaken His people. But honestly? I was discouraged. It felt like prayer had been pushed to the margins—not because anyone stopped believing in its importance, but because of the weight of transition. When Pastor Matt arrived, he brought with him a deep and steady commitment to prayer. He never wavered—personally or pastorally—in his desire to see our church become a house of prayer.
But our church was walking through a lot. We had just merged with two congregations, which meant new people, multiple properties, and a mountain of logistics. Pastor Matt carried the burden of shepherding people well through it all. And though his heart for prayer never faded, there were seasons where establishing rhythms of intercession took time.
But God wasn’t done.
About a year ago, a young woman named Rosa started attending our church, invited by a little boy who had shared his faith with her. She came with no title or official role—just a growing hunger for the presence of God. Then last November, visibly shaken and under the weight of the Spirit, she approached us.
She said, “I feel a burden to call the church to prayer and fasting. No agenda. No program. Just come and seek God.”
She was nervous and overwhelmed but sure of what God had shown her. She had already spoken to Pastor Matt—who was on sabbatical at the time—and his response was simple: “Talk to Cheryl and Rick. They’ll help you.”
So there we were. Rosa was asking for our help, and we had a choice: smother this holy spark with caution or fan it into flame. We chose to fan it.
That Sunday, she stood before the church—trembling but obedient—and invited us into a weekly rhythm of fasting and prayer. She wasn’t trained. She wasn’t trying to be a leader. She was just willing.
That first Tuesday, only six of us came. There was no structure—just worship, stillness, and prayer.
Then Rosa began to pray.
I had never heard her pray before, but when she did, it was like a dam broke. Bold, scriptural, anointed—she led with humility and power. Each week after that, more people showed up. People came hungry. People came unsure. People came just to sit in God’s presence.
One Tuesday night, 18 people gathered to pray - which is about a fifth of our church. That was our largest so far—but we believe it's just the beginning. That night was a glimpse of what could become the new normal. Now, each week brings a different mix of people. Some come consistently. Others pop in as the Spirit leads, depending on what’s happening in their lives and prayer journeys. It’s dynamic, not static. Organic, not organized. But the hunger is real, and it's growing.
These prayer times have been special—not just because of the number, but because of the generational diversity. High schoolers. College students. People in their 30s, 40s, and yes, us “old-timers” in our 60s. It is a beautiful, multi-generational cry for revival. No one was required to be there. No pastor told them they had to come. They came because God was drawing them.
And while Rosa has had to travel back and forth to South Carolina to care for her mom, who still lives there, the fire hasn’t gone out. The rhythm continues. Different leaders step in. The hunger remains.
Because this is bigger than one person. It’s about a people seeking God.
As leaders, our role wasn’t to run it, but to shepherd it. We gave feedback gently when needed. “Hey, the music might be a bit too loud for people trying to focus—can we lower it next time?” Rosa always responded with humility. She made adjustments, took feedback seriously, and came back the next week with fresh sensitivity.
It reminded me: sometimes revival starts through people we don’t expect. And our job, as leaders, is not to control it but to recognize it, protect it, and gently guide it. Like Priscilla and Aquila with Apollos—we don’t silence the fire; we protect, nurture, and steward it.
Now, every Tuesday night, an altar of prayer is being lit in our church. There’s no official end time. Some nights we finish at 7:30. Other nights, it goes until 9:00. We simply wait until we feel the Lord say, “That’s enough.”
Each week is different, but every week, the Spirit shows up. What began as a whisper is becoming a steady flame.
And I believe this testimony isn’t just for us. In Hebrew, the word testimony means: “Do it again.”
So that’s our prayer:
Lord, do it again.
Do it in other churches. Do it in other cities. Stir up fresh hunger. Ignite new altars of prayer. Raise up the Rosas—unexpected, trembling, but willing. Let the fire spread.
And may we, as leaders, be ready. Ready to see where You’re moving. Ready to bless it. Ready to fan it into flame.
In Jesus’ name, do it again.
Amen.
Cheryl Russell, RNE Prayer Training Alumni and Elder at Warwick Hope Church, RI
March 2025
The Holy Spirit introduced this Jewish “Bar Mitzvah boy” to Jesus about 43 years ago although I had previously never cracked the New Testament and knew no Christian theology.
The setting was that I was severely depressed over the loss of a child and after fruitlessly trying to solve the situation, I finally, in desperation, asked God if He “would give me a hand here?” A week later He did. I was in the middle of a tear filled session when I heard a soft very trebled voice speak to me from what seemed to be coming from my heart.
The voice simply said, without identify itself, ”Stop trying to do things your way and follow Him.”
I kid you not that, without the voice identifying itself or identifying whom I was to follow, and despite that I had never previously opened the New Testament and didn’t know any Christian theology, I knew that soft voice belonged to the Holy Spirit (I didn’t even know who the Holy Spirit was!) and I knew that He was telling me to follow Jesus!Now, the same instant that I understood that God was reaching out to love me and replied “Yes! I will follow Jesus!”, the depression that had been like a heavy weight on my person, just lifted, and my heart and mind were just flooded with what seemed like a river of peace.
Praise the Lord for His omnipotent Love and Power!
Then I was faced with the challenge, “How do you follow Jesus?" Still working on that! That I be not just a hearer of God’s Word, but a doer, including being obedient to Jesus’ Great Commission; that I continue to long each day for a sweet communion with our Lord and do the best I can to pray without ceasing; that I continue to grow in my love and appreciation for Jesus and that I yield even more to the Holy Spirit”s leading in my life as a husband, father, grandfather, and sharer of Jesus’ Gospel with others who don’t know Him. In Jesus’ name.
Howard Sorett
September 2024
When I saw and read the Consecrate invite I was so moved to attend. I was impressed in my spirit that I needed to be there! But, I had previously volunteered to work extra that day. I decided to take myself off the schedule. A co-worker saw that and offered to work for me (that was confirmation to me that I was doing the right thing)!
Jesus confirmed through the Holy Spirit what I was feeling & hearing about what I needed to do to grow in Him, my family and my ministries!!! Thank you Consecrate, the flood gates are open.
The impact has been exciting and fruitful!! I'm moving forward in being intentionally obedient to what has been confirmed in my spirit to do through Consecrate! My next step is to follow through on all I need to do to implement God's plan for my life, my family, my ministries and of course the church!
Pray that I will not grow weary in well doing and that I will be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!
Denise, Consecrate Event attendee
September 2024
August 2024
“Twice a year, the students and staff at West Bay Christian Academy dedicate a full week to increased emphasis on prayer, worship and the Word of God. They meet daily for chapel, praise God together and hear a message from their school chaplain. This March we watched in awe as the Holy Spirit was poured out on the last day, bringing most of the middle school (5th- 8th grade students) to respond to a call for salvation. Many kids were moved to tears by the tangible presence of God and several came forward for prayer ministry. Strongholds were broken and thirsty souls were filled with the love of God and Anointing of the Holy Spirit. One school leader who has been facilitating Spiritual Emphasis Week for decades poignantly remarked, “It feels like revival!” I am so blessed and honored to help steward God’s will for this generation to know Him experientially, and embrace their divine calling to the Kingdom of God.”
Jaime Lind, Prayer Minister
April 2024
Sandra joined the prayer leadership cohort last year and in coaching sessions with Greg, identified that God is calling her to start a new ministry to families who have children with disabilities. This ministry is launching this spring, starting with a weekly prayer gathering. Praise God for what he’s doing.
March 2024
Laura and other leaders have been praying for a long time that the Lord would grant their our hearts desire which is to host His presence. They are sensing a shift and a desire to tarry after service more. On February 25, some visiting pastors came to the church and remarked on the tangible presence of God in the service. After service was over, the worship team came off the platform and kneeled at the altar. A few others stayed back and pressed into prayer. A handful stayed after church for 2 1/2 hours. The time was marked by weeping and fervent prayers. This is itself and answer to prayer. Praise God, He is beginning to move at NKAG with His tangible presence.
February 2024
Once a week, prayer leader Jaime Lind leads a Parents Prayer group. “Our small group of parents are faithfully coming together to contend for God’s will at our school. As the Spirit leads, we pray for the school leadership and students. We also contend for Christian education and for God’s will to be done in this generation. We have seen significant movement in bringing the school into new layers of submission to God’s will and freedom in the Holy Spirit.”
January 2024
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.