Throughout history, there have been several significant “outpourings of the Holy Spirit.” I have had the opportunity to live through three of them. These outpourings—or Moves of God, as some may call them—are a major reason we see so many different denominations today.
Take, for example, the Charismatic Movement of the 1960s to the 1980s. This movement posed a considerable challenge to the established denominations like the Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Assemblies of God, and others. The establishment resisted this new move, forcing Charismatics to form their own communities outside these institutions. These movements are recognized as times when the Holy Spirit moves powerfully, leading to widespread spiritual renewal, conversions, and societal change. As a result, Charismatic churches sprang up across the globe. They found places to worship wherever they could—renting spaces in shopping malls, old theaters, strip malls, homes—anywhere they could gather. Those who attended these gatherings were often labeled as Charismatics. They experienced healings, deliverance, and what was called the baptism of the Holy Spirit, often accompanied by speaking in tongues (as first occurred on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2). However, many Christian leaders refused to accept this as a genuine move of God, dismissing it as inauthentic. Personally, witnessing this was both disheartening and a catalyst for my own spiritual commitment—to remain vigilant and open to the next move of God so that I would not miss it.
Another significant event was the Brownsville Revival, which I attended for a week between 1995 and 2000. Unlike the Charismatic Movement, the Brownsville Revival didn’t make as many headlines. I believe this was due in part to the increasingly liberal bias of the media, which largely ignored what God was doing in Florida. The Charismatic Movement, in contrast, gained significant media attention partly because, at that time, the media was more receptive to Christianity and also because the transformation of so many “hippies”—who were being born again and set free—could not be ignored.
Today, the world is ripe for another outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are all acutely aware that things are not looking good. Everything feels unstable, and war seems to loom on the horizon. Man cannot solve the problems he has created. The world must reach a point where we realize our powerlessness, and perhaps then we will turn back to God. Throughout history, every new outpouring has been met with resistance from the followers of the previous one, and I see no reason for this pattern to change. It makes me wonder what the next outpouring will look like. Will it occur within the established church, or outside of it? I don’t know—but I’m watching for it.
I also see an urgent need for maturity among believers. We have far too many baby Christians misrepresenting what Christianity truly is, and that’s heartbreaking—but I won’t dwell on that today. Could the next move be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the gay community, leading to the rise of gay churches around the world? Is it time for Bible schools to emerge everywhere? I’m not sure, but I would never underestimate the grace of God, which surpasses all understanding. The Spirit does not move according to man’s thoughts but according to God’s plan, and throughout history, each move has shaken the religious world. To recognize a move of God, we must have open hearts and open minds, for it won’t look like what we think it should. The signs of another awakening are all around us; let us be vigilant, open-hearted, and ready to embrace whatever God has in store. Don’t forget, ”Keep your lamps full of oil”
