An Article of Faith

Revival often begins in unlikely places. That means small towns or godless cities can be the epicenter for a powerful move of God’s Spirit. But who would have suspected that Reno, Nevada, of all places would be a place where believers would unite for a powerful Christ-centered movement?
Reno is a far cry from your typical Bible Belt town. Nevada as a whole has built much of its economy on human vice, including gambling and legalized prostitution. It continues to be a city that ranks high compared to other American towns in terms of divorce and addiction to gambling and drugs.
But there has been a stirring in Reno that has the potential to drastically change the character of that town and even provide a positive example to other cities across America.
On March 2, 2013, there was a gathering in Reno of a diverse group of nearly 400 pastors and ministry leaders who came together for the first time in many years to seek the Lord, learn about revival, pray, and see what God wants to do with their growing sense of unity.
The gathering was cosponsored by the leading Latino, African-American, charismatic, and evangelical churches in the greater Reno area, and was based on the vision for the city from Jeremiah 33:9:
“Then this city will bring Me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.”
More specifically, the goal was to bring leaders together with a common purpose of bridging the natural barriers that typically divide followers of Christ who come from different cultural backgrounds. They desire to communicate visibly to the greater community that they are one, consistent with Jesus’ prayer in John 17:22-23 (NLT), “I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.”
Here are the key rallying points that have brought the believers of the city together in OneCry for spiritual awakening:
•Increasing the unity of believers in our region.
•Growing in love for one another.
•Displacing the powers of darkness (this begins with repentance, individually and for the region, collectively).
What could you do to rally believers in your area toward greater unity, agreement, and collective action in seeking the Lord for an outpouring of the Spirit? (Find resources and videos on how to build a revival culture in your church and community at www.OneCryBook.com/appendix.) http://www.CollegiateImpact.com). (Taken and adapted from: OneCry: A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening. Visit www.onecry.com.)
“If My people,” declares the LORD, “who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV.)

Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.