I first heard about what was going on at Asbury University a few days after it started on Facebook.   At that time, I honestly didn’t think too much about it.  Then I got a couple messages from friends asking if I had heard what was going on there.  As I began reading about what people were experiencing, the Holy Spirit began squeezing my heart and stirring up a deep desire to go.  I cancelled a few things on my schedule, and drove 8 hours down to Wilmore, KY not knowing what to expect.   Well, it ended up being quite an adventure.

My first night at Asbury.

The first night I was there (February 16), God orchestrated a connection with someone I knew from my days serving at All Saints in Pawleys Island.  She’s on the faculty at Asbury University.  After catching up and praying with each other, I notice she was serving on the prayer team and offered to help if needed.  Long story short, the next day I was on Asbury’s prayer team ministering to people in the midst of this outpouring.

Before sharing some of my experiences praying for people, I’d like to share some of my observations about what God was doing.  From my perspective, God was moving powerfully in the worship more than anything else.  No big name worship leaders, just students from the school and seminary.   If fact, the worship leaders didn’t have to do too much.  As they started songs, the congregation would just take over.  It was extraordinary.  There were moments I really felt like I was getting a taste of heavenly worship.

At the altar where I prayed for many hungry souls.

The second remarkable thing was the hunger I witnessed.  I met and prayed for two men who had flown all the way from Brazil and another man who had flown in from London.  I heard from others on the prayer team that people had come all the way from Singapore!  Seeing people getting more and more hungry for Jesus and that was wonderful to witness.  I was also impressed by how well the leadership of the University handled this opportunity and the extraordinary hospitality with which they hosted the multitude of guests.

My first night on the prayer team, I got to pray for a young lady who had been struggling with a degenerative back problem for over a year.  She had just learned to live with the pain, which was about a 7 out of 10 when we started praying.   Her pain was completely gone by the time we finished.  Through tears, she expressed her gratitude and wonder over God’s gift of healing.

Such privilege to pray for so many college students who were deeply moved and in a unique place of surrender before the Lord.  Saw many holy tears- tears of repentance, tears of joy, tears of love, tears of gratitude…   Jesus was ministering deeply to people’s hearts.

A rare moment when the main auditorium was not packed full. Taken before opening up for the day.

One another memorable moment was ministering to a father and daughter who came to the altar together.  This girl was probably about 7-8 years old I’m guessing.  She came to accept Jesus as her Savior.  Her eyes were filled with an innocence and purity that I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before.  As my prayer partner prayed with this girl, her eyes were soaking in every word.  After finishing, I prayed for her father whom the Holy Spirit touched in such a beautiful and powerful way.  What a father’s heart he carried!  I then felt led to explain to his daughter how God wants to fill us with his presence through the Holy Spirit.  After asking if she wanted that, she nodded, “yes,” as she looked at me with those eager and hungry eyes.  So precious to see how the Holy Spirit was blessing her.

So many other stories I could share about God touching people deeply.  Such a honor to be part of Jesus doing what He does best!