Published on May 27, 2024, 12:35 am

Image source: Fox News

In his early twenties, Steve Gaines, the former Southern Baptist Convention President and Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis Tennessee, started planning for a worship service that would lead to revival. His radical idea proposed during one planning session: pray not only for people to come but also for God’s presence at their gathering.

Now, decades later, Gaines revisits this concept in his recently released book “Revival: When God Comes to Church.” The highly respected pastor sat down for an interview where he extensively discussed his new publication which analyzes real news examples of revivals from the Old Testament and how they influenced Christian worldview.

Gaines passionately maintains that the heart of worship is not about putting on a show or entertaining; rather it should be centered around attracting God’s presence. This essential truth remains relevant even as churches adapt their practices due to COVID-19 lockdowns and increase live streamed services.

While preparing his book which is set to release on May 28th (B&H Books), Gaines also explored revivals shaping America’s story. His research led him back to figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield whose shared message of revival played a pivotal role in unifying colonies under British rule prior to the Revolutionary War.

Throughout his discussion, he emphasized prominent themes extracted from Scripture such as humility, hunger, and holiness as keys to revival today. These virtues challenge followers of Christ to pursue a lifestyle mirroring the principles taught in Bible stories such as those recorded in the book of Acts – arguably the primary reference for revival.

His candid reflection upon challenges hindering revival led him believe that traditionalism remains an obstinate barrier, especially within denominations like Southern Baptists’. He encourages followers of Christ not just merely attend church under familiar circumstances — enjoying preferred music or dressing a certain way – but rather earnestly seek after God’s transforming presence.

Gaines’ primary objective in writing this book aims at igniting a renewed hunger and desire in individual believers, churches, or even denominations to pursue God with undivided devotion. Revival, he notes, is not marked by the quantity of events or programs offered, but by an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon His church.

If his profound reflections translate to action amongst readers, Gaines envisages trusted news headlines soon highlighting another wave of revival within the Christian church overflowing into larger sections of society desperate for transformation brought about only through a dynamic encounter with Jesus Christ.