Revive Us Again!

We are Easter people—thanks be to God!

Earlier this month, we journeyed together through Holy Week. As the season of Lent came to a close, we gathered to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ’s work on the cross opened the door to our understanding of the Christian faith and revealed the depth of God’s love for us.

If we engaged fully in the Lenten season, we did the hard and holy work—repenting, lamenting, and grieving our sin. We sought forgiveness and invited a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit as we prepared our hearts for Easter. My prayer is that Easter was a powerful and renewing experience for each of you.

But now, what comes next?

Will we retreat into old patterns and wait until the Christmas season to reconnect? I pray not. Instead, may we be so transformed by the restoring power of Jesus Christ that a holy fire burns within us—compelling us toward deeper faith and more faithful living. Let us live as Easter people every day.

We continue to pray for revival—for a renewed spirit, for a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit, and for a powerful awakening among all who believe.

The MidSouth Annual Conference is seeking to respond to that very prayer.

Through prayer, Conference Leadership, partnerships, and the Missions and Evangelism Team, a new initiative has emerged—a Revival Team formed in response to what we believe is the prompting of the Holy Spirit. This was not the result of strategic planning alone, but a shared sense of calling that arose independently among several leaders. As we gathered to pray and seek God’s direction, a clear vision for revival within the MidSouth Annual Conference began to take shape.

As I write, I am in Nashville, Tennessee, worshiping alongside fellow leaders at Pennington Fellowship Methodist Church. Bishop Kenneth Levingston opened our time together with a powerful message on the assurance of the Holy Spirit. In the days ahead, Rev. Dr. Chris Howlett, Rev. Dr. Luther O’Conner, and I will also be sharing in preaching and teaching.

In partnership with Aldersgate Renewal Ministry (ARM), under the leadership of Mark Barrow and Jennifer Peat, this Revival Team has developed a unified theme and structure for 2026/2027:

Revival Theme: Living in the Spirit – ACTS

This framework draws from the Book of Acts and emphasizes the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church:

• A – Assurance of the Holy Spirit

• C – Conviction of the Holy Spirit

• T – Transformation by the Holy Spirit

• S – Sanctification through the Holy Spirit

Additionally, we are partnering with Rev. Dr. David Calhoun to provide a focus on renewal, fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit, and with evangelism training. Helping us understand how to share our faith witness and understand the power of being able to simply share what GOD has done for us.

How We Can Serve Your Church

If your congregation senses a call to revival, the MidSouth AC Revival Team stands ready to partner with you. We can collaborate with local leaders to host a four-day revival event in your church and community. Our team will provide preaching, worship leadership, music, and organizational support. Our desire is for this to be a gift—an offering of renewal made possible through the partnership between the MidSouth Annual Conference and Aldersgate Renewal Ministry.

We currently have additional revival gatherings in development:

• September – East Tennessee

• October – Virginia

• November – Kentucky

We invite you to prayerfully consider whether God is calling your congregation into a season of revival.

What We Ask of the Local Church

To prepare for a meaningful revival experience, we ask each host church to:

• Commit to intentional prayer, seeking God’s guidance

• Offer Christ-centered hospitality to all who attend

• Encourage active witness and invitation within your community

• Be open to receiving a love offering to help offset event costs

• Provide media support, if available

• Assist in planning a four-day event (Sunday–Wednesday or Thursday–Sunday works best)

• Remain open to the movement of the Holy Spirit

• Give all glory and honor to God for what He accomplishes

If God is stirring your heart and your congregation, I encourage you to reach out. Together, let us explore how we might support your church in becoming a place of renewal and awakening—so that we may truly live as Easter people, every day.

Blessings,