PREPARE For REVIVAL! by Bishop Toby S. Morgan
SPRING 2024 ISSUE | 3 minute read
“…we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:4
Spring is upon us. It’s a season of new growth, new life, and a fresh start. In God's church, there are also seasons of growth, newness, and a fresh start. Before us lies the opportunity to experience something bold and daring in the Kingdom. We can witness a time of revival in Virginia. We are nearing the end of a two-year cycle of the REVIVE VIRGINA challenge. Every church and pastor throughout our state has been given a challenge to experience growth in numbers, finance, and most importantly, spiritual breakthroughs in the lives of fellow Virginians. I eagerly await our Summer Campmeeting (by the way, it is scheduled for June 11-14, in Roanoke) to honor the churches and pastors who have reached their REVIVE VIRGINIA goals.
Like churches in every age, we face issues which work to hinder us from our God-appointed destiny. The first-century church was confronted with its own unique set of issues. If they were not spiritual enough to avoid conflict, there is no way we can begin to think we will be exempt. Just as in today's church, the early believers had blind spots and made mistakes. Even amidst a great move of God, a fresh wind of the Spirit, things appeared which, if not handled, would seriously damage the revival taking place or, worse yet, kill it completely. A choice was demanded on the part of the church, and the leaders were put in the position of deciding a course of action which would enable the move of God to continue. Thankfully, they made the right choice, and the church continued to flourish. That which they did will enable the Church of God in Virginia to experience a continued move of the Spirit.
Up front, they made a priority out of prayer and the Word of God. It never crossed their minds to set aside the gifts of the Spirit obtained through prayer or the grounding in the faith obtained through the Word. Do not let it be lost on you that the earliest recorded response to a momentum-killing event was not calling in an expert but rather to hear more clearly the One who employed wisdom in the creation of the cosmos (Proverbs 8:22-31). Across Virginia, dig into the Word. Dive into prayer. Hear from heaven and allow the One who knows all to direct you through issues which arise.
They stepped beyond a prayer meeting and partnered with others. The Apostles were allowed to continue to function in their calling while others were chosen and partnered with them in the care of the Greek widows. The Holy Spirit used this issue to bring to the forefront the need for partnership in the church. If we are going to win people to Jesus and disciple them, which is, after all, the primary task of the church (Matthew 28:19), it will require a team effort. Prayer and the Word linked with partners who work is a powerful tool in the hands of God.
When the above come together, prepare for an influx of people. What happened when this mixture came together in Jerusalem? The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7 NET)
The very things we are seeking in REVIVE VIRGINIA took place. Nothing about the church, the culture, or our Christ has changed since that day. He still promises to make Himself known when we gather in His name. May this Spring witness the Church of God across Virginia follow in the footsteps of our fathers as we make prayer and the Word the priority, partner with people in ministry around the church, and prepare for the greatest influx of new souls ever witnessed in our history!
Bishop Toby S. Morgan
State Administrative Bishop
Virginia Church of God State Office