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The Asbury Outpouring
What Happened at Asbury University?
On Feb. 8, 2023, what began as a routine Wednesday morning Chapel service with the student body turned into a multiweek Outpouring that some have described as a revival. Led by students, the services attracted college students from hundreds of other colleges and universities, beginning as soon as Wednesday evening.
Then, news of the continuous services spread around the world, and attracted people to Wilmore from as far away as Russia and Japan. Media outlets arrived en masse to cover the spiritual awakening among young people. Countless reports of life change, salvation, and re-dedications to Christ were some of the amazing results of the Outpouring events. Asbury staff, faculty, students and volunteers worked tirelessly to welcome the visitors to campus, with orderly lines to get into Hughes extending a half mile long around campus.
Since then, the community has worked to share what God did, and spread the Gospel and testimonies of life change. Also, Asbury’s pastoral care staff is working to disciple and mentor students impacted through the Outpouring through different initiatives on campus.
The events lasted for 16 days, culminating in a service specifically for Gen Z students on Feb. 23, 2023. Yet, the Lord continues to move across the Wilmore community, Kentucky, the United States, and the world.
Regularly scheduled Asbury Chapel services are still streamed live during the semester on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays at 10 a.m. Eastern.
Celebrating the Outpouring One Year Later
- Christianity Today: What the Asbury Revival Taught Me About Gen Z
- Christianity Today: What’s the Impact of Asbury’s Outpouring? John the Baptist Offers 3 Lessons
- The Gospel Coalition: Rumblings of Revival Among Gen Z?
- CBN: Asbury Awakening’s Impact Ongoing, One Year Later: ‘An Overwhelming Glimpse of God’
- Fox and Friends: One Year Anniversary of the Outpouring at Asbury University (video)
- ABC36: The One Year Anniversary of the Outpouring at Asbury University (video)
- WKYT: Asbury University reflects on the outpouring one year later
- Premier Christianity: We’re Contending for what we saw at Asbury – and more – in the UK
- Premier Christianity: How the Asbury Outpouring changed our church for good
- Peermag: One Year Later
- Juicy Ecumenism: Asbury Revival’s Surprise for America
- The Asbury Collegian: The Asbury Revival: One Year Later
Outpouring Celebration Chapel — February 7, 2024
One Year Celebration Honoring the 2023 Outpouring — February 8, 2024
This Is Asbury Podcast Episodes on the Outpouring
Outpouring Celebration Part 1: ‘You knew that you were sitting with Jesus’Outpouring Witness Team Updates
God Began a Great Work In Me
It’s still hard to verbalize everything that happened during the overwhelming Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on a place I have called home for the past four years.
By Alexandra Presta ’23, Executive Editor of the Asbury Collegian
Feeding God's Sheep
After hearing of the Outpouring on Asbury’s campus through social media, small business owner Brad Tucker and his family traveled over two hours to station a food truck in Wilmore and provide hot, fresh meals for those attending the services at no charge.
A Witness to Revival
The risen, living Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, came to offer His heart of holy love to the student body. Jesus came to rescue them and to bring them into His very Life. He poured out His Spirit upon and into those who would receive Him.
By Rev. Diane Nelson ’83 Ury
An Inside Look
Asbury faculty, staff, and volunteers captured many behind-the-scenes images on their phones during the Outpouring.
Alumni Worldwide Gathered to Pray
On February 18, more than 500 alumni joined a virtual prayer time.
Student-Athlete Testimonies
Asbury student-athletes continued their responsibilities of classes and athletics events as they experienced the way God was revealing Himself in a powerful way on their home campus.
In The News
Several news outlets around the world reported on the Asbury Outpouring. Here are some of their reports.
- The Atlantic: When a Christian Revival Goes Viral
- CNN: A nonstop worship gathering at a Kentucky school echoes an old Christian tradition
- Fox News: Asbury revival brings ‘beautiful disruption’ and multi-generational community to post-COVID world
- Fox News: Thousands attend marathon prayer and worship service at Asbury University
- Time Magazine: What Asbury’s Christian Revival Says About America’s Need for Connection
- The New York Times: ‘Woodstock’ for Christians: Revival Draws Thousands to Kentucky Town
- The Washington Post: Why students at a Kentuckky Christian school are praying and singing round the clock
- The Economist: A Christian college in Kentucky has experienced a religious awakening
- NBC News: A nonstop Kentucky prayer ‘revival’ is going viral on TikTok, and people are traveling thousands of miles to take part
- Christianity Today: ‘No Celebrities Except Jesus’: How Asbury Protected the Revival
- Christianity Today: Asbury Professor: We’re Witnessing a ‘Surprising Work of God’
- Christianity Today: What Our Reaction to Revival Reveals About Us
- Relevant Magazine: Why Asbury University Decided to End Revival Services This Week
- Relevant Magazine: What Really Happened At Asbury?
- Lexington Herald-Leader: History repeats itself as another spontaneous revival sweeps Asbury University
- Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘The world has been watching’: How a small service at Asbury took the globe by storm
Many Stories Shared
"A year ago, God generously poured out His power, presence, kindness, and gentleness, which captivated a generation and a lot of Christian leaders who needed hope. In Galatians 6:9, it says 'Don't grow weary for doing good, for in due time you will reap what you sow.' I think the Outpouring was an encouragement for those who were weary, getting to experience the reaping for those 16 days and even now."
"The Outpouring was a spontaneous work of God filled with many examples of His grace. There were times when human, financial, and material resources appeared unexpectedly that allowed us to meet the needs of our Asbury community and guests. Some of my friends who were skeptical of 'religion' encountered the living Christ during the Outpouring. As a result of the Outpouring, I approach each day with renewed anticipation of God's work in my life and new eyes to recognize His activities throughout the world."
"I remember a young lady calling and saying that she felt Christ would not meet her where she was unless she could make it to the Outpouring. I got to share with her that God is one-on-one and meets us wherever we are. We prayed together, and she accepted Jesus over the phone. She was relieved, thankful that she could know Jesus, and hopeful for the future."
"I was in my bedroom when my friend sent me a video of the Outpouring. It pulled me back into the arms of the Lord. After years of experiencing church hurt, I’m worshiping again. I learned a new song that greeted me when I arrived on campus: 'Day and night, night and day, let incense arise. You're worthy of it all.' He really is."
The Outpouring was something that I needed because it made me a witness that God still moves in His people today. It also showed me that our generation is like Timothy in the Bible: We are inexperienced when it comes to preaching the word of God, yet we hunger to know Him more and more every day. Lastly, it showed me that God places us in different paths of life because He wants us to grow. His word never returns empty-handed. It always makes an impact in the hearts of those who hear Him.
His Spirit changed the atmosphere and went beyond Hughes. The most precious moments I had involved meaningful conversations in the dining hall and meeting new people throughout the city who had a hunger for God. Jesus is truly amazing, and I am so grateful that I had the chance to encounter His presence in such a tangible way on this campus before I graduate.
In the last couple of weeks, I cannot help but think of Jesus as so much more present and active in my life. My prayer life has been reignited and I depend on His Spirit even more day to day. Jesus has brought me deep-seated joy and peace by reminding me of how good He is.
God completely changed my life through the Outpouring of His Spirit. He has placed new callings on my heart. Now, I know my job is to go and spread the fire that He released here.
Read more testimonies by students, faculty, and staff.
Do you have a story to share? Share your testimony with us!
Video Resources
Contact Information
- Questions: email outpouring@asbury.edu
- Media requests: email press@asbury.edu