Returning to Azusa: Reclaiming Our Lost Revival and Anointing

Returning to Azusa: Reclaiming Our Lost Revival and Anointing

Acts 2:1- 21 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,your old men will dream dreams.Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who callson the name of the Lord will be saved.’

The Power of Pentecost: A Biblical Foundation for Revival

In the early 1900s, at a humble mission on Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California, the Holy Spirit poured out in a way that shook the foundations of traditional Christianity. Through men and women who passionately sought God, we witnessed supernatural healings, prophetic utterances, deliverances, and an outpouring of spiritual gifts that continues to be felt globally. Pentecost was not just a story from the Book of Acts anymore—it was living, breathing reality. Azusa Street stands as a hallmark of modern Pentecostalism, igniting a fire that spread across the entire earth and birthed new denominations, missions movements, and an unrelenting passion for souls.

Somewhere along the line, though, we as a people have forgotten how to drink from this ancient well. We have become preoccupied with the trappings of a modern world—technology, convenience, social acceptance—and we have let the raw, undiluted presence of the Holy Spirit become overshadowed by programs, committees, and business models. Instead of tarrying at the altar, we rush to the next item on our schedule and when nothing is there the latest preoccupation. We have embraced mediocrity, in so many ways, most importantly spiritually. We have relegated God to the person who pays our electric bill and gets a promotion for us, but forgot about our real calling and need for a authentic relationship with him.

Instead of trembling in the presence of the Almighty, we have substituted the  real anointing and move of the spirit with a show. We are content to polish our stage lights and substitute the real for a feel-good God who gets us happy on Sundays and then we go to dinner. My friends, we have lost something. We have lost the urgency for revival and the fervency of the anointing that once dripped from the upper rooms of prayer meetings to the streets where the lost were saved in droves.

But I stand here today, believing that God wants to rekindle that flame. I believe He wants to restore us spiritually to Azusa, to reclaim its revival and anointing. Over the next several minutes of our discussion, I would like us to explore the history of Azusa Street, break open the Scriptures to understand the biblical basis for revival, examine what it means to tarry for the Holy Spirit, confront the barriers that have quenched the Spirit in our churches, and ultimately rediscover the path that leads us back to the well of God’s power. My prayer is that as we listen to these words, the Holy Ghost will stir up a longing deep within your soul, drawing you closer to the living God.

Let’s journey together, church, back to the old wells of revival, so we can learn to open up new wells in our own generation. Let us rediscover the unstoppable force of Pentecostal fire, that unstoppable force that was poured out on our forefathers. And let us commit ourselves once again to being vessels fit for his use.

Before we delve into our main discussion, we must appreciate the historical context of the Azusa Street Revival. The spiritual impacts the temporal and vice versa. In the early 1900s, there was a restlessness within the Church at large in North America. Many believers—Methodists, Baptists, Holiness groups—were aware that something was missing from their services. They longed for an authentic move of God that was not just academic or ritualistic, but deeply experiential and more authentic.

Beyond the church walls, societal conditions created an atmosphere ripe for revival. Industrialization had changed the face of daily life, with people flooding into cities seeking opportunities. Migrants were arriving from every corner of the world. Racial tensions simmered, and the social climate was rife with both hope, fear, anticipation, and uncertainty. It was in such a melting pot that God saw fit to pour out His Spirit in a fresh way.

Enter William J. Seymour, a humble African American preacher from Louisiana, who became a pivotal figure in this movement. Born to former slaves, Seymour knew hardship. He was no stranger to spiritual seeking, attending Charles Parham’s Bible school in Houston—although segregated because of his race, he was forced to sit outside the classroom. Despite this obstacle, his hunger for more of God was unwavering. Seymour grasped the truth of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, clung to it with the fervor of a man possessed by holy obsession, and eventually journeyed to Los Angeles, following God’s leading.

In a little home on Bonnie Brae Street, as he preached about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the evidence of speaking in tongues, the Spirit fell mightily on those gathered, leading to tongues, prophecy, and a deep conviction of sin and longing for holiness. Crowds quickly swelled to such an extent that they had to find a new location. They settled on a dilapidated building on Azusa Street—an old Methodist church-turned-stable-turned-warehouse. It was a place of no renown, yet it would become the epicenter of a worldwide movement. Funny Jesus returned to a stable to start a fresh outpouring.

The Azusa Street Mission was characterized by humility, unity, and hunger for God. Services were often unstructured, leaving ample room for the spontaneous moving of the Holy Spirit. The famed altar, composed of wooden planks and crates, was often the place where many would kneel weeping, seeking the Lord. A plain wooden pulpit stood up front, often used by Seymour who would sometimes pray with his head hidden in an empty shoebox, symbolizing his desire that no flesh should glory—only God.

At Azusa, racial, social, and denominational barriers broke down as African Americans, Whites, Latinos, Asians, men, and women all worshiped side by side—a powerful testament in that era. Historically, the marginalized have often been the catalysts for revival, bringing a desperation and faith that refuses to be silenced. Indeed, at Azusa, one could find the poor, the immigrant, and those shunned by society gathered together in expectation of God’s power. Today, we must recognize that this same Spirit also moves among all who have been marginalized or excluded, including our LGBTQ brothers and sisters who sincerely seek the Lord. The Holy Spirit is no respecter of persons and pours out upon every heart that longs for Him.

It was messy, it was imperfect, but it was real. Azusa Street testified to what happens when the Church dares to let God reign without restriction, without trying to confine Him to our comfort zones. And it ignited a flame that has yet to be fully extinguished.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see patterns of revival that are applicable to today, whenever God’s people turned back to Him wholeheartedly and revival broke out! We see:

1. A Rediscovery of God’s Word.

2. Tearing down of idols and false worship.

3. Repentance on both individual and national levels.

4. Manifestations of God’s power that turn hearts back to Him.

In the New Testament, the day of Pentecost described in Acts 2 stands as the foundational outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church. The disciples had tarried in the upper room, as Jesus instructed them to wait for the “Promise of the Father.” They were of one accord, praying and waiting on God. Then suddenly, a sound like a mighty rushing wind filled the house, tongues of fire appeared over each believer, and they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Peter, now emboldened by the Spirit, preached a sermon that cut hearts to the quick. Three thousand souls were saved that day.

What is remarkable is how Pentecost set into motion the unstoppable expansion of the gospel. That same anointing that fell on the 120 in the upper room soon spilled out into the streets, into homes, into other nations, and eventually into our world today. The Azusa Street Revival was a renewal of this Pentecost experience—a demonstration that the Holy Spirit is not confined to the pages of history but is alive and active wherever hearts are open and expectant.

Why do we need a return to Azusa? Because we have lost the intense hunger, the desperate thirst, the sacred awe that once marked the early Pentecostals. I believe hat times will get more difficult and already are for many. Consider the following signs of spiritual decline in modern churches:

1. Prayerlessness: Instead of prayer meetings that birth revival, we have replaced them with committee meetings that yield little spiritual fruit and 3 minute congregational prayer sessions where we sorta pray along. Our altars are often empty, our knees unbent.
2. Formalism Over Fire: Many worship services have devolved into formulas, neatly packaged performances rather than times of Holy Ghost encounter. We seek excellence in production but neglect the posture of humility that invites God’s presence. We have turned God into a means to get rich and focus on the blessings more than the blessor.
3. Division and Carnality: Racial and socio-economic divides have crept back into the Church. Cultural battles and political alignments overshadow our kingdom unity. The Azusa Street Revival was marked by racial unity and love, something many of our modern churches still struggle to embody.
4. Lack of Miraculous Expectation: We have become cynical about healing, deliverance, and supernatural gifts, relegating them to a bygone era. Or worse yet, we say we believe but accept less than Gods best. Yet Jesus declared we would do even greater works than He did (John 14:12). Where is our faith?
5. Anemic Evangelism: We have replaced soul-winning fervor with social events. Our hearts do not burn for the lost as they once did. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations. How can we fulfill that commission if we are no longer ignited by the Spirit?

We have an urgent need for revival. If we truly desire to see the Book of Acts reality once again in our midst, we must take honest stock of our spiritual condition. We must cry out for a fresh visitation.

When we speak of returning to Azusa, I am not idolizing a place or a set of people from the past. We realize that every genuine revival is unique, birthed in a specific context for a specific purpose. However, the Azusa Street Revival teaches us timeless truths about how revival can erupt:

1.Deep Hunger and Desperation: Men and women, often marginalized by society, were willing to pray all night, fast, and cast themselves completely upon God’s mercy. Do we have that level of desperation today?

2. Unity in Christ: Different races, economic backgrounds, and orientations worshiped as one, confronted by the holiness and majesty of God. In revival, the Holy Spirit tears down walls of prejudice, fear, and division, building a family from every tribe, tongue, and community, including those once left on the margins such as LGBTQ believers who also yearn for God’s presence.

3. Emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s Full Manifestation: Speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy, and all the gifts of the Spirit were welcomed. There was a childlike faith that God could do exactly what His Word says He can do.

4. Repentance and Holiness: At Azusa, sin was confessed openly, hearts were broken before God, and people longed for purity. True revival is always accompanied by deep conviction of sin, leading to transformation.they were honest that they were sinners saved by God, laboring in a organization that is headed by Jesus.

5. Witness and Missions: The Azusa flame quickly spread globally. Missionaries went to the ends of the earth. Revival that remains confined to a single location is not sustainable; it must overflow into evangelism and global outreach.

To “return to Azusa” is to embrace these core principles anew and seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our time.

Pentecost did not happen by accident. One hundred twenty believers obeyed Jesus’ command to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from on high (Luke 24:49). They gathered in an upper room, prayed, and waited. This concept of “tarrying” is foreign to many of us, as we live in a culture of instant gratification. We want everything now—instant streaming, fast-food drive-thrus, next-day shipping. Yet spiritual realities often require prolonged seasons of waiting, pressing in, and persevering prayer.

Many can remember when believers often lingered at the altar, sometimes for hours or days, seeking the fullness of the Spirit. They had prayer vigils that went late into the night. This is not to say that the Holy Spirit must always be “earned” by lengthy prayer sessions—God can move suddenly and unexpectedly—but often our hearts need time to be softened, shaped, and prepared for a true visitation. Consider this-

• Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai and came down with a radiant face (Exodus 34).

• Daniel prayed and fasted for weeks, seeking revelation until the angelic visitation arrived (Daniel 10).

• Jesus Himself would spend entire nights in prayer and 40 days fasting…Luke 6:12).

These biblical examples testify that tarrying in God’s presence is a means of aligning ourselves with heaven’s agenda. It is not a formula or a magical ritual; it is an expression of earnest longing that refuses to settle for anything less than a true connection to the fullness of God.

What can I do? Dedicate extended times to only prayer. Not a quick five-minute opening prayer, but genuine time spent in intercession, waiting on God. Carve out your own daily times of solitude and prayer. Linger in the Word. Resist the urge to rush through your reading. Fast: Deny the flesh to sharpen the spirit’s sensitivity. Fasting humbles us, reminding us of our complete dependence on God.

Surround yourself with believers who share your hunger. Encourage one another to persevere when the flesh grows weary.

Tarrying is an act of faith, a declaration to God that we prioritize His presence over every other pursuit. It may be costly—it will cost you your time, your comfort, and sometimes even your reputation in a culture that values immediate results. But the reward is a deeper fellowship with the Holy Spirit that can trigger revival.

This Revival cannot flourish in an environment riddled with unrepented sin or spiritual arrogance. At Azusa, confession of sin was not a rare occurrence; it was a norm. People would come under such conviction that they would publicly repent, seeking prayer and restoration. Pride and hidden sin quench the Spirit’s moving like water douses a flame. You see, they wanted people to know the power of Gods grace and power. Not pretend to be something they weren’t which creates a false sense of superiority that is nothing less than hypocrisy.

• Proverbs 28:13 declares, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

• James 5:16 instructs us, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

As we strive to reclaim the Azusa fire, we must maintain an environment where authenticity is valued over image and position.  Too often, church culture can pressure us to appear “put together,” stifling honesty. But revival thrives where hearts are laid bare before God.

One of the hallmark testimonies of Azusa was the unity among believers across racial and socio-economic lines. Revival crumbles where the sin of prejudice divides the body of Christ. The Scripture is unambiguous: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Any trace of racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, or other forms of exclusion will stand as a barrier to the Spirit’s flow.

If we want an Azusa-like outpouring, we must create spaces where every believer is honored equally. We must address any seeds of division with the love and truth of Christ. This means humbly repenting of our biases, seeking reconciliation, and building relationships across lines of race, gender, orientation, and social status. The Spirit of unity breaks down walls that the world has erected, reminding us that all are welcome at the feet of Jesus.

Worship is more than singing songs. It is an act of wholehearted adoration of the King of kings. The Azusa Street Revival was not fueled by the latest worship technology or polished performances. It was raw, passionate, and born of hearts overwhelmed by God’s presence. Worship was often spontaneous, Spirit-led, and sometimes chaotic by traditional standards. But in that freedom, the Spirit moved powerfully.

In our modern era, we risk becoming so accustomed to polished worship sets and emotional performances that we forget to truly connect with the Holy Spirit. Excellence in musicianship is not a sin—indeed, we should strive to offer our best to God—but if we lose the heart of authentic worship, we merely become clanging cymbals, generating noise without transformation.

Church growth seminars, leadership models, marketing strategies—these can be useful tools, but they will never substitute for the Holy Spirit’s anointing. The apostle Paul didn’t have to rely on clever advertising or celebrity preachers. William Seymour was not a charismatic personality in the modern sense; he was a soft-spoken, humble man who simply yielded to God. Yet his ministry birthed a global movement.

When we depend on programs more than prayer, on marketing more than the moving of the Spirit, we are effectively telling God we can handle His work ourselves. Nothing quenches revival faster than self-sufficiency. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

Pentecostal theology holds that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct, empowering experience subsequent to salvation. Just as the disciples were already believers before Pentecost, yet had to wait for the promise of the Father, so too do we seek the Spirit’s full infilling to become effective witnesses for Christ. While the Holy Spirit indwells every believer at conversion (Romans 8:9), the baptism in the Holy Spirit immerses us in divine power for ministry, spiritual gifts, and victorious Christian living.

• Acts 1:8: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”

• Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

• Acts 19:2: Paul asked certain disciples in Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” indicating this was a separate experience to be sought.

We do not worship tongues or any particular manifestation, but we do celebrate them as biblical signs that often accompany the Spirit’s infilling. The greater goal is the power to love, to witness boldly, and to serve God effectively.

 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Ask God to stir up a deep longing within you.

Any unconfessed sin or spiritual baggage should be laid at the cross. Yield yourself fully to God’s will.

Jesus taught that the Father is more than willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13). Approach Him with confidence, believing He hears you.

Next, Yield to the Holy Spirit’s Promptings: As you pray, you may sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to speak in a new language or release control in a new way. Step out in faith.

This leads to maintaining a Spirit-Filled Life: Once baptized in the Spirit, continue to walk in prayer, worship, Bible study, and fellowship. The infilling should be continually renewed (Ephesians 5:18).

We must preach and practice the baptism of the Holy Spirit in our churches if we want to see a new wave of revival. This is not an optional extra; it is the lifeblood of Pentecostal spirituality.

During the Azusa Street Revival, miraculous healings were a frequent occurrence. People with all kinds of ailments reported receiving instantaneous healing after prayer. Testimonies included deaf ears opened, blind eyes seeing, and even the miraculous restoration of missing limbs according to some accounts—though these stories were often told by eyewitnesses whose descriptions varied. Regardless of the specifics, there is no doubt that supernatural healings occurred.

Why did these signs and wonders appear so prominently? Because when the Holy Spirit is given free reign, He confirms the Word with accompanying miracles (Mark 16:17–18). He reveals Christ as Healer and Deliverer, drawing the lost to salvation. Miracles are not ends in themselves; they serve as signposts pointing to Jesus and his works.

First Corinthians 12 lists spiritual gifts given “for the common good.” These gifts—words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues—are still available today. A church that neglects these gifts is like a soldier entering battle without weaponry. At Azusa, they embraced and sought these gifts earnestly, and the Holy Spirit manifested them mightily.

Modern churches often fear the supernatural, concerned about disorder or abuse. While we should enforce biblical guidelines (1 Corinthians 14), we must not quench the Spirit by dismissing His gifts. A balanced, Spirit-led approach welcomes His power while maintaining order.

Holiness was a bedrock foundation of the early Pentecostal movement. Many of the believers who gathered at Azusa Street came from Holiness backgrounds that emphasized living a sanctified life—separated from worldly contamination, set apart for God’s purposes. Ephesians 5:27 reveals Christ’s desire for a glorious Church, “not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

Revival is sustained where holiness is embraced. Without holiness, gifts become polluted by carnal agendas, and the power of revival eventually dissipates. Let us not forget that the same Spirit who imparts gifts is also the Spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4). We cannot sustain revival if our personal lives are compromised by secret sin, immorality, dishonesty, or pride. I would like to suggest that holiness is less about what you wear, say, drink, and more about what you do that connects you to God.

You see, Holiness is both a positional reality (we are made righteous by Christ’s blood) and a practical process (we daily crucify the flesh and grow in obedience). We should:

Ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal any wrong motives or hidden sins (Psalm 139:23–24).

 Guard your Eyes and Ears: In an age of rampant media consumption, we must choose carefully what we allow into our minds.

Our. Pursuit of Christlike Character: Patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness—these are the fruits of a holy life. They are the tangible evidence of revival’s impact on our character.

Stand for Righteousness in Society: While revival must begin in the Church, it inevitably spills over into societal transformation. Believers who are truly revived will influence their communities with truth and righteousness.

At Azusa, many participants viewed themselves as bondservants of Christ—available to be sent anywhere at any time. This attitude birthed innumerable missionaries and evangelists. Today, we must recapture that spirit of consecration, where we surrender our plans, ambitions, and comfort to the call of God. True revival always leads to a deeper commitment to God’s mission.

Revivals often begin and are sustained by groups of intercessors who stand in the gap for the Church and the lost. The Azusa Street Mission was effectively a prayer furnace. Believers would gather for hours, lifting up the needs of the city, the nation, and the world.

Intercessory prayer is not glamorous; it is warfare. It involves battling principalities and powers, persevering in faith for breakthroughs we have not yet seen. But without this prayer covering, revival flames flicker out. Intercession is the unseen engine that drives every movement of God.

What can I do?

• Schedule Regular Prayer Times: When we do not schedule prayer, it often becomes sporadic. Put it on your calendar as a non-negotiable appointment with God.

• Pray the Word: Let Scripture guide your requests and declarations. This ensures our prayers remain aligned with God’s will.

• Pray in the Spirit: If you have a prayer language, use it extensively to intercede according to the Spirit’s leading (Romans 8:26–27).

• Listen and Respond: Prayer is not merely talking to God; it is also hearing from Him. Maintain moments of silence to sense His leading.

A key hallmark of any revival is a deep burden for the lost. Let us not merely pray for personal blessings or church growth in terms of numbers alone. Let us weep for souls that are perishing without Christ. Let us ask God to break our hearts for what breaks His. Until we feel the weight of eternity pressing upon us, we will not be moved to the fervent prayer that births revival.

While the Azusa Street Revival was marked by spiritual manifestations, it was also undergirded by constant reference to Scripture. When the Holy Spirit moves, He never moves independently of God’s Word. Preaching and teaching are vital in grounding new converts and fueling the revival with biblical truth.

A genuine move of the Spirit always leads to a fresh hunger for the Word of God. Preachers must therefore be diligent to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Seymour and others emphasized the baptism of the Holy Spirit from a solid scriptural standpoint, ensuring that experiences were judged by the Bible, not the other way around.

Many of today’s sermons are carefully crafted to entertain, to keep people’s attention with stories and humor, but often lack the convicting power of the Holy Ghost. True revival preaching, on the other hand, pierces the heart. It calls sin by its name, exalts Christ as Savior and Lord, and beckons listeners to an immediate response of repentance or consecration.

We need preachers who will stand behind the pulpit and proclaim the unadulterated gospel, unafraid of offending with the truth. At Azusa, the messages were straightforward: “Jesus saves, Jesus heals, Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit, and Jesus is coming again.” Our generation needs to hear this same clarion call.

Revivals that remain locked within a sanctuary eventually lose momentum. In the early church and others, the outpouring was never confined to the mission itself. Testimonies of healing, deliverance, and salvation spilled out into the streets of. People came from far and wide to witness what God was doing.

For us today, the purpose of revival is not to enjoy spiritual goosebumps on a Sunday morning. It is to empower us for service in the world, to heal the broken, feed the hungry, visit those in prison, and proclaim the gospel in the marketplace. A revived church will inevitably be a missional church.

One of the most powerful testimonies of Azusa was the racial harmony it displayed. This unity did not just benefit those inside the building; it served as a prophetic witness to a segregated society. Revival often propels believers to address systemic injustices, care for the poor, and become instruments of change. Historically, moves of God have erupted among those considered outsiders—whether due to race, economic status, disability, or sexual orientation—showing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to break every chain.

People from vastly different backgrounds found common ground at the foot of the Cross. Today, let us extend that same heart of inclusion to all marginalized communities, including LGBTQ people who are just as loved and want to follow Christ. The holiness that births revival compels us to confront the world’s brokenness head-on, not retreat from it—and to embrace one another as fellow image-bearers of God, endowed with dignity and worth.

The true measure of any revival is not merely the number of people who attend meetings, but the lasting fruit it produces. Are souls being saved and discipled? Are communities becoming more just? Are believers growing in character and love? Are new leaders, ministries, and churches being birthed? Genuine revival endures in the transformed lives and institutions it leaves behind.

As individuals and as a Church, we must begin with repentance. Let us acknowledge areas where we have drifted—be it prayerlessness, sin, or even apathy. Repentance is not a one-time act; it is a posture of humility and contrition that draws God’s favor.

We must unapologetically present the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a promise available to every believer. Offer times of prayer and impartation. Encourage testimonies of those who have received. Make room in services for the Holy Spirit to move, rather than restricting everything to a rigid schedule.

Examine your church structures and attitudes for any latent prejudices. Encourage multicultural fellowship, pulpit exchanges, joint services, and dialogue on racial, social, and LGBTQ inclusion issues through the lens of the gospel, that Jesus saves, uses and wants all. He is no respect or of person.  Embrace the biblical truth that we are one body in Christ, a truth that transcends any label or category the world may impose.

Dare to believe that God still heals, delivers, and performs wonders. Offer prayer to pray for the sick regularly. Encourage testimonies of healing and miraculous provision. Build an atmosphere of faith, reminding one another that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us (Romans 8:11). Go ye into all the world is still relevant today. Who have yogurt asked to come to church ? How can others without the Holy Spirit have such growing organizations?

Wherever revival springs up, the enemy stirs up opposition. Spiritual warfare intensifies. Critics will arise to discredit the move of God. The media may misrepresent events. Some religious leaders may dismiss it as fanaticism. These challenges are normal and should not discourage us, for “we wrestle not against flesh and blood…” (Ephesians 6:12).

Now, let me speak pastorally to your heart for a moment. You may be hearing these words, thinking, “I want that. I want to experience God like they did at Azusa Street. I want to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to know His presence in ways I’ve only read about.” You might also be wondering if you are “qualified” or “worthy” of such an encounter.

Let me assure you, none of us are worthy in ourselves. But the grace of God has made us righteous through the blood of Jesus. The only qualification for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit is a heart that seeks Him with sincerity. You do not need a title or money. If you come hungry, God will fill you. If you come thirsty, He will give you rivers of living water.

Kathryn kulhman said she is not special but she was simply given over.  She said that anyone can have what she has if they will only give in. The cost? Everything she was. She could recall the moment and day she died. But she gained the whole world.

Let’s talk further about some of my hero’s in the gospel, and their enduring impact,

A.A. Allen’s ministry blossomed in the mid-twentieth century as part of the Voice of Healing movement. Known for his fiery preaching style and uncompromising faith in God’s miracle-working power, Allen believed that Jesus still healed every kind of sickness and disease. His tent revivals drew thousands, and testimonies of the lame walking, the blind seeing, and the demonically oppressed finding freedom became hallmarks of his services.

Allen would often proclaim that doubt was the greatest enemy of faith; he exhorted believers to wage war against unbelief and embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He left a legacy of boldness, challenging Christians to believe for the impossible. His story is a reminder that God delights in using ordinary people who will trust Him unconditionally, even in the face of skeptics or adversity.

Kathryn Kuhlman’s ministry rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s, characterized by a deep reverence for the Holy Spirit and a passion for seeing souls saved and bodies healed. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Kuhlman’s emphasis was never on the manifestations themselves but on the person of the Holy Spirit, whom she often referred to as her closest friend. In her services, it was not unusual for multiple healings to occur spontaneously—sometimes as she walked on stage or simply lifted her hands to worship.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Kuhlman’s ministry was her unwavering focus on surrender. She taught that the Holy Spirit was easily “grieved” by pride or showmanship. Through humility, dependence on God, and a heart of worship, she created an atmosphere where miraculous healings abounded.

Smith Wigglesworth, a simple plumber, often called the “Apostle of Faith,” was a British evangelist whose ministry spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries, overlapping with the time of Azusa. Illiterate until adulthood, Wigglesworth learned to read using the Bible, which became the bedrock of his faith. He preached a simple yet fervent gospel message: Jesus saves, heals, and delivers all who come to Him in faith. He raised the dead, once throwing a dead child against the wall who then sprung life.

Known for extraordinary miracles, including documented cases of raising the dead, Wigglesworth had a radical approach to faith. He taught that believers must take God at His Word without wavering. His intercession for the sick and bold proclamations of healing reflected a deep compassion for those in need. Wigglesworth’s life testifies that God honors unwavering faith grounded in Scripture.

The ministries of Allen, Kuhlman, and Wigglesworth, though varied in personality and style, had common themes:

• Absolute reliance on God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

• A commitment to holiness, consecration, and separation from sin.

• Compassion for the suffering and a willingness to pray fervently for the sick.

• An unwavering conviction that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Just as Azusa Street demonstrated, the same Spirit that anointed these men and women is available to us today. Their stories remind us that the promise of God’s healing power is not confined to one era or a select group of individuals. Instead, it is offered to every believer who surrenders fully to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

As we seek to return to Azusa and reclaim our lost revival, let us also remember the faith of A.A. Allen, the sensitivity of Kathryn Kuhlman, and the resolute confidence of Smith Wigglesworth. their testimonies challenge us to remove every limit we have placed on God and to believe once again in the miraculous. Whether in a humble church service or a global crusade, the Holy Spirit yearns to manifest His presence, confirming the message of Jesus Christ with signs, wonders, and transformed lives.

Returning to Azusa, reclaiming our lost revival and anointing, is ultimately a call to action. It is not enough to admire history’s revivals. We are invited to become participants in a present-day move of God. The question is, will we answer that call, or will we remain comfortable with our routines?

The Holy Spirit is ready. He has not receded, nor has His power diminished. He is waiting for a Church that says, “Yes, Lord, we want You. We want all that You have for us. We lay down our pride, our traditions, our distractions, and our excuses.” Heaven is ready to respond to the cry of a broken and contrite people.

Let us pray collectively for God to send revival. Let us also take personal responsibility for our spiritual condition. Revival starts in individual hearts, then spreads like wildfire. If every believer reading these words would commit to daily prayer, radical obedience, and unwavering devotion, we would see the tide change in our churches.my pastor used to say, if you don’t fast you won’t last, if you don’t pray you won’t stay, if your don’t read you won’t march.

Let us therefore rend our hearts, not our garments (Joel 2:13). Let us break up the fallow ground and sow righteousness (Hosea 10:12). Let us ascend the hill of the Lord with clean hands and pure hearts (Psalm 24:3–4). Let us tarry until we are clothed with power from on high. In this posture of humility, we make room for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully among us, stirring fresh passion for Jesus and compassion for the lost.

Let us, in short, return to Azusa in the spirit of humility, unity, and childlike faith. May we, like William J. Seymour, be willing to hide our faces if it means God alone is glorified. May we embrace every outpouring of the Spirit with reverence and awe, never seeking to manipulate or commodify what God is doing. May we press on until revival is not just a fleeting moment, but an ever-increasing move that changes our churches, our cities, and our nations. God is faithful; He will do it if we humble ourselves and pray, and turn from our wicked ways. He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Lord forgive us for our complacency, our prayerlessness, and our pursuit of form over fire. We ask in for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Rend the heavens, O Lord, and come down. Ignite our hearts with the same Pentecostal flame that fell at Azusa Street. Restore to us the joy of our salvation and the fervency of our devotion. Unite us across every dividing line, and let our gatherings be marked by holiness, humility, and hunger. Grant us boldness to preach Your Word, to heal the sick, to cast out devils, and to proclaim liberty to the captives. Let signs and wonders accompany our witness, validating the truth of Your gospel. We lay aside our agendas, we cast down our idols, and we cry out, ‘More of You, Lord!’ Bring us back to the well of revival, and send us out as flames of fire into a dark world. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, trusting in Your promise to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Amen and amen.