Revival is 100 years

As the Presbyterian Church of Mairang hosts the 37th Biennial General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) and the Revival centenary celebration on April 23, there is a need to understand the meaning of Revival and how this storm that first hit the hills and valleys of Wales in 1904 became a hurricane that affected the world and the Khasi-Jaintia Hills in 1906.
‘Revival’ means bringing or returning to life, vigour and restoration which are brought about through the manifested presence of God. It is like the word ‘Trinity,’ which is used to explain the Biblical concept of the unity of the Godhead-the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Revival brings repentance, deliverance, holiness, refreshing joy, blessings, miracles, physical healings, salvation, rest, igniting fire in the hearts of people, prophecy, baptism in the Holy Spirit and the anointing that destroy yokes.
Revival is not a group of special Evangelists meetings, but the sovereign move of God. Though not mentioned in the Bible many times, Revival is used to explain the amazing results of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This was seen in 1904 in Wales, where a nation was changed in matter of weeks. Thousands of unsaved people, all at one time, were moved by a Heavenly influence to get right with God. Evangelists who witnessed the storm of Revival, stated, that pubs were emptied, the work-place was ablaze with talks about Salvation and the Churches over-flowed with sinners, wanting to be saved. Visitors from France, Turkey and the US, to name a few, came to visit and they caught the flame which they passed it on to new countries. Welsh communities throughout the world felt the effects and news of God’s powerful work and soon had many other Churches praying that God would visit them as well. The Khasi-Jaintia Hills being a perfect example of the prayer being answered.
As soon as news of Revival in Wales spread, people in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills were so consumed with it that they can think of nothing but Revival, talk of nothing but Revival. Oriented towards Revival in 1905, after the Assembly in Sohra, a Presbytery was conducted in Pariong, where the Holy Spirit himself filled the heart of the faithful. Prayers and songs were the never-ending fever. Inspiring sermons edified people and propelled them to greater spirituality than before. However, this was just the beginning. Soon Revival fire spread and consumed people in Nongsawlia, Shillong, Mynso, Shangpung and Jowai where the Spirit of God touched and changed their life.
Finally, with this storm hitting the Hills, the Assembly held in Mairang in March 1906, showed amazing results of the Revival. It was the first Assembly conducted after Revival, in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. Souls were saved, individual life were changed and society itself was changed. People’s hearts were flamed and Revival was felt in their souls and, thereafter, the divine sparks spread out to Sylhet and Lushai Hills (Mizoram).
Therefore, the Revival in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills was a storm of love and power that hit the Churches and completely transformed people’s life.