Has the Next Great Spiritual Awakening Begun in Burlington, NC?

Over 500 saved and thousands gathering nightly—could it be?

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).The fame of revival spreads the flame of revival! The flames of revival have ignited in Burlington, NC, in a way that can only be explained by the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. What began eight weeks ago as regularly scheduled one-week spring revival meeting at New Hope Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Randy Hobbs, has far surpassed the church walls, community, state, and region. It quickly outgrew the seating capacity of New Hope and had to move under the “Old Time Gospel Tent.”

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak with the 34-year-old evangelist C.T. Townsend and hear firsthand what God is doing. This anointed and fiery young evangelist is the human instrument God is using behind this revival. I must admit, since our conversation, I have been calling and texting friends, telling them to take notice of what is taking place.

C.T. immediately and humbly credits this movement to the power of prayer. I was impressed at how quickly he diverted any credit from himself. He says New Hope Baptist Church has prayed every Monday for ten years for God to send revival.

A few weeks into the meeting, a team of intercessors showed up from hundreds of miles away to stay and pray every day for the meetings. They pray in the tent every morning, and there are men underneath the platform praying every night. He says this group, led by Daniel Buchanan (a preacher and intercessor mentored by the late Percy Ray), is leading the prayer charge.

Not only is there power in prayer, but there is power in the unity among churches. “I have never seen such unity,” says C.T. Over 60 churches are now involved. Many other churches from many denominations and backgrounds are being drawn to the meeting.

While speaking with C.T., I was amazed at how quickly he emphasized that the draw is not the music but the preaching of the Word of God. He describes it as electric. Not just any preaching, but preaching repentance and the coming judgment of God. When the preaching begins, he says, “the power of God comes in that old-time gospel tent.” I am reminded of what Leonard Ravenhill once said: “You never have to advertise a fire. Everyone comes running when there’s a fire.”
In his words, the first week of meetings was “non-impressive.” Between 300 and 400 attended, and no one was saved until the final night of that week. However, it was a week of people confessing sin, repenting, and getting things right with God. That final night, a breakthrough occurred; Pastor Hobbs sensed the meetings needed to continue, and continue they have!