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Changing times faced America in 1970. Just two years removed from 1968, perhaps one of the most turbulent
years in American history. 1970 held for many an uncertain future, as the sexual revolution was underway. Drugs and rock n
roll dominated many college campuses and the voice of God - ignored and unknown in many hearts. But the Lord's call to
repentance was being heard in some quarters. On February 3, 1970, students and faculty members had shown up at Asbury College's
regular chapel service at the Hughes Auditorium. They gathered for what they assumed would be one more routine meeting. Students
were required to attend chapel services three times a week. Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, a city of 4,300 about 16
miles south of Lexington is an interdenominational Christian college who's roots are in the Wesleyan tradition of the
Methodist Church. On that Tuesday morning, 1970, Pastor Reynolds, Asbury's academic Dean and Methodist layman was in charge.
Reynolds did not preach, instead he briefly gave his testimony. Then he issued an invitation for students to talk about their
own Christian experiences, and there was nothing unusual about such an invitation being made from the pulpit. One student
responded to his offer, then another, and then another. Then without warning heaven broke loose during the 10:00 A.M. Chapel
service. Students started pouring to the altar and the dam of pride broke under the presence of God. Many came weeping to
the front to kneel in repentance, others gave testimonies including confession of sin, and all of this was mixed with a spontaneous
singing. Worship filled the air. Lectures were canceled for the day as the auditorium filled with over a thousand people.
Few left for meals. By midnight over 500 still remained in prayer and worshiping the Lord. Several hundred committed their
lives to Christ that day. By 6:00 A.M. the next morning there were still 75 students praying and through Wednesday it filled
again as all lectures were canceled. The time was filled with praying, singing, confessions and testimonies. Many students
even professors sought out others to whom they had done wrong deeds and asked forgiveness. Asbury like many evangelical organizations
held annual, scheduled, so called revivals with guest ministers and services booked in advance. This however was not the same,
no one had planned it, and no one person was leading it. Tens of thousands were renewed and thousands more were saved. News
of the outpouring spread in the newspapers and on television. Strangers flocked to Wilmore to worship with students. Teams
of students were sent out to other campuses and churches around the nation to evangelize and report what the Lord's presence
was doing at Asbury. All the while intercession was being offered up during the Asbury services for their success. The service,
a routine meeting scheduled for 50 minutes turned into a 185 hour non-stop 24 hour a day prayer and worship service. Impacting
for months and impacting souls across the states.
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