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# “A Surprising Work of God”: Revival at an American University
- URL: https://thepulse.org/en/revival-at-asbury-university/
- Published: 2023-02-20T11:12:53.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-06T18:35:55.000Z
- Description: On TikTok and Instagram, videos with the hashtag “Asbury Revival” are getting millions of views. At the time this article was published, the hashtag #asburyrevival had 76.7 million views on TikTok. What’s going on?
- Author: Daniel Oesterle
- Tags: Articles, #target-leaders, #age-young-adults, #topic-vision, #translation-pending

Asbury University is a Christian university in the Methodist tradition in Kentucky, [founded in 1890](https://www.asbury.edu/about/history/?ref=thepulse.org). On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at around 10:00 a.m., the students came to the chapel as usual for the weekly chapel service. What’s unusual: many of them are still there a week and a half later, along with students from [other universities and young and old people from everywhere](https://www.idea.de/artikel/usa-zeichen-einer-erweckung-unter-studenten?ref=thepulse.org) (in German). They sing and pray day and night and spread the “spirit” of Asbury.

Theology professor Tom McCall, who teaches at the nearby *Asbury Theological Seminary*, spoke of a [“surprising work of God”](https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/february-web-only/asbury-revival-1970-2023-methodist-christian-holy-spirit.html?ref=thepulse.org), even though the university has experienced similar awakenings several times before: “After the benediction, the gospel choir began to sing a final chorus, and then something began to happen that defies easy description. Students did not leave. They were struck by what seemed to be a quiet but powerful sense of transcendence, and they did not want to go. They stayed and continued to worship. \[…\] When I heard of what was happening, I immediately decided to go to the chapel to see for myself. When I arrived, I saw hundreds of students singing quietly. They were praising and praying earnestly for themselves and their neighbors and our world, expressing repentance and contrition for sin and interceding for healing, wholeness, peace, and justice.”

The term “revival” stirs up all kinds of associations and feelings in different people. In some Christian circles, [skepticism and a critical attitude](https://careynieuwhof.com/5-thoughts-on-the-asbury-revival-for-pastors/?ref=thepulse.org) prevail; people worry about manipulation and about the movement being used for other ends. And depending on your perspective, the university and its students are too “woke” or not LGBTQ+ friendly enough.

But this doesn’t seem to be about hype, loud music or a wild spectacle, or about a political agenda either. Tom McCall says on [Christianity Today](https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/february-web-only/asbury-revival-1970-2023-methodist-christian-holy-spirit.html?ref=thepulse.org):

> “As an analytic theologian, I am weary of hype and very wary of manipulation. \[…\] I’ve seen efforts to manufacture ‘revivals’ and ‘movements of the Spirit’ that were sometimes not only hollow but also harmful. \[…\] And truth be told, this is nothing like that. There is no pressure or hype. There is no manipulation. There is no high-pitched emotional fervor. To the contrary, it has so far been mostly calm and serene. \[…\] The ministry of the Holy Spirit is undeniably powerful but also so gentle.”

Besides Professor McCall, many other Christian commentators such as [Shane Claiborne](https://twitter.com/shaneclaiborne/status/1624988160781344770?s=46&t=Ewxz6HDAjRUzR2BqnZtI9A&ref=thepulse.org) and [The Remnant Radio](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCGsc5Wv44E&ref=thepulse.org) have pointed out that historically significant revival movements have always had an impact on society and the church that goes beyond personal piety and edification. Here, only time will tell what fruit it bears.

### Our take

Whether you want to call it an end-times revival, a renewal movement or simply a very long worship service:

> It seems obvious that people here are being touched by God’s love in Jesus Christ and are experiencing the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit that the Bible promises.

Like no other generation, Gen Z knows sensory overload, abundance and hype, idealistic battles and all the exhaustion that can come with them. Maybe a “quiet revival” like this is exactly the kind of spiritual awakening this generation needs.

![Young men worshiping with their eyes closed and their hands open, the one in front wearing a black cap](https://thepulse.org/en/content/images/2026/11/junge-menschen-beten-in-einer-kapelle-mrj.jpg)

Maybe a “quiet revival” like this is exactly the kind of spiritual awakening this generation needs. Photo: [Ismael Paramo](https://unsplash.com/@ismaelparamo?ref=thepulse.org).

The deep turning back to God and his standards and the longing for a life of holiness that are emerging here are things the church and the world need today at least as much as at any other time.

### Food for thought

Every year on the last Thursday in February, Christians in the US observe the [Collegiate Day of Prayer](https://collegiatedayofprayer.org/?ref=thepulse.org) and pray for and at American colleges and universities. Which universities, colleges and schools where you live would you like to pray for (together with your church or group)? Where would you like to see young people touched by God in a new way?

### Bible verse

> “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you” … “even Jesus.” ([Acts 3:19-20](https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.3.19-20.NIV?ref=thepulse.org) NIV)

*Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.*