A Revival Spark

Can a single spark turn into a blazing fire that consumes a nation? The Welsh Revival of 1904 is proof that a single spark ignited by the Holy Spirit is enough to ignite an entire nation. Many consider the Welsh Revival to be one of the greatest revivals ever due in part to the concentrated impact it had on the entire nation of Wales. This one revival also ignited fires
across the nations setting them ablaze. The Welsh Revival has also been interpreted as a forerunner to modern pentecostalism leaving its lasting impact on church history. 

The most-recognized spark came through an encounter in the small chapel of Blaenannerch nestled in the rolling hills of the Welsh countryside. Evan Roberts encountered the Holy Spirit in that chapel that ignited the revival fire which led to the great Welsh Revival. This encounter was not just personal to Evan but also had a great impact on all those who witnessed it. As a result, the fire spread rapidly leading to many more fires through encounters with the Holy Spirit. The surrender of young Evan released this mighty move of the Spirit of God that forever changed the culture of Wales and the world. Is one spark enough?

So many people within the body of Christ today have lost sight of the fact that God accomplishes his plans and purposes through people. A quick evaluation of scripture and church history will show that the people God often chooses are often not the ones that man would choose. In fact, the the opposite appears to be true. God loves to use those who are broken, those who have failed, those who are inadequate, those who do not have the proper training or education, and those who society has dismissed. Evan Roberts fits this description as he came from humble beginnings as the son of a coal miner in Wales. While he lived a pure life and stayed out of trouble, by society’s standards, he was nothing special. However, within him was a fire that began to burn from his early teen years and continued. He was ignited with the power of God through a divine encounter that forever changed him. He dedicated his life, his time, and his prayers to see 100,000 souls saved and set on fire for Jesus. He was the spark sent from God to ignite the flames of revival in a nation. The Welsh Revival is a great example of God’s ability to use any person to do extraordinary things. All it takes is a spark lit within a surrendered vessel.

Looking at the current state of the US, it is no secret that we need another great move of God to turn our society back to the ways of the Lord. Immorality is rampant; sexual perversion and gender confusion is at an unprecedented high; even the church has seen a decline in recent years. But God… Wales was in a similar moral decline when Evan’s spark ignited the nation and literally change the national culture in less than 2 years. God is not done with America! However, it will require the sparks of those who are hungry and will persevere to ignite a national revival fire in this land once again. Societal transformation is a mark of true revival. Do not give up on this land as God is on the move! There are sparks of revival igniting all across the nation in this hour. Don’t believe the lie that America is “too far gone.” Remember, God uses people to accomplish his plans and purposes, and He wants to use you! Don’t allow the enemy to attempt to disqualify you or sow seeds of doubt. God can and desires to use you! Allow Him to ignite a fire in your heart that nothing can burn out.

1 Rick Joyner, The Power to Change the World: The Welsh and Azusa Street Revivals (Fort Mill, SC:
Morningstar, 2006), 35.
2 Stanley Burgess, The New International Dictionary of Charismatic Movements (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2002), 1187.