We’ve heard stories of people going to extremes to prove their faith, sometimes putting themselves in a dangerous situation, in order to accomplish their worship plans. They congregate together and share “miraculous” experiences. Services are usually held on Sundays and Wednesdays and are led by a pastor. However, Asbury University held a service that has turned into a non-stop worship service, lasting days longer than intended.
Asbury University Goes Viral
Asbury University in Kentucky has gone viral after a video posted to TikTok, shows worshipers praying for hours. The event, some have called the “Asbury revival“, has spanned across the country as people have traveled thousands of miles to participate. The Sancturary has issued an “open altar call” inviting anyone who so feels compelled to come and pray.
@lightguy06 #asburyuniversity #asbury #asburyrevival2023 #asburyrevival #asburycollege #jesus #jesuslovesyou #revival ♬ original sound – Zach
Conducting the Usual Service
Asbury University is a small Christian college in Wilmore, Kentucky, held its routine chapel service on the morning of February 8th. “The first day we had a very ordinary service, I would call it unremarkable,” explained the President of the University, Dr. Kevin Brown. The service concluded, and a multicultural gospel choir sang. Some students stayed until well past the end of the service, and by that evening more had come to join in. The gathering, going 24-hours a day of non-stop worship, carried on for days.
On Tuesday, February 14th, there were over 3,000 attendees, mostly from out of state. The group had become so large that they took over 4 other facilities across the town where Asbury University sits.
International Fame
By February 16th, more than a week after the initial chapel service, posts in participation or support of this religious gathering have generated more than 34 million views on TikTok. NBC reported students and faculty from 22 other schools across the country showed up, and international travelers were expected, some all the way from Singapore.
@revjordanwhitmer Day four of revival at an absolutely packed house at @asburyuniversity in Kentucky — this Gen Z student revival has now turned into multiple generations worshipping, repenting, and praying together!! Revival starts with prayer and repentance. May this happen and spread all across America and the nations of the world! #asburyrevival #revival #Jesus #Christian ♬ original sound – Rev. Jordan Whitmer
Crediting Social Media
Mark Whitworth is the vice president of communications for Asbury University. According to him, social media platforms are the reason news of the “Asbury revival” has spread so far, so quickly. “It has absolutely been social media that is the mechanism that people found out about this,” he said.
Several influencers have also taken part in the worship service, including Jordan Whitmer, a well-known Christian Social Media Influencer. He uploaded a video captioned, “Day four of revival at an absolutely packed house at @asburyuniversity in Kentucky – this Gen Z student revival has now turned into multiple generations worshipping, repenting, and praying together!! Revival starts with prayer and repentance. May this happen and spread all across America and the nations of the world!” Adding, “God is moving – revival is happening in Kentucky.”
Asbury University certainly didn’t expect such a massive turnout. However, the religious University was happy to accommodate students and strangers alike as they congregated together to worship and pray.
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Sources
- “Nonstop revival breaks out at Kentucky College. now, it’s viral on TikTok.” The Enquirer. Haadiza Ogwude. February 16, 2023.
- “University’s Christian service turns into Days-long ‘revival’ after viral TikToks.” The Independent. Chelsea Ritschel. February 21, 2023.
- “Kentucky Asbury University ‘revival’ going viral on TikTok. NBC News. Retrieved February 21, 2023f