I’ll never forget the first night I attended those “Steps To Christ” meetings in Newport Beach – there were 50 or more college students and youth singing guitar-led songs about God and Jesus and loving one another. The topic that night was “God’s Love For Man” and the speaker, recently “saved from drugs by Jesus”, spoke passionately and personally without pretense in words that we could all understand. He seemed to know Jesus well. Revival had come to young adult Adventism in the late 1960’s, and many of us would never be the same again.
Like wildfire, this grass-roots “Jesus Movement” swept across Adventist college campuses. Prayer groups would suddenly assemble at noon or on a hillside in the early morning (no twitter or facebook in those days!). Testimonies were offered freely of lives rescued, bodies healed, and salvation found in Jesus Christ. Compared with today’s standards much of what took place was pretty tame – guitars are no longer forbidden in church auditoriums, and prayer groups or small groups have become a religious science, if not an outright industry. But the freshness, the unpredictability, the raw honesty and passion – all fueled by prayer, confession, spontaneous expressions of joy – were characteristic of what has transpired over and over throughout the history of Christianity. This was what the apostle Peter called, the “times of refreshing.” (see Acts 3:19)
Into the mid-70’s the fires began to dim, partly because of the realities of life and partly because our “end-times” hopes and dreams were not realized. But one thing remained with many of us – the awareness that God is real, that Jesus is alive, and that the Spirit could work in ways beyond human planning, control, or even imagination.
It took me a few years to understand that those early experiences could never be recaptured, as beautiful and transforming as they were. Spiritual vitality requires fresh experience, new miracles, connection with God today, not just yesterday. Look at the verse at the beginning of this introduction – it says, “each generation should set its hope anew on God.” Each generation must discover and rediscover the miraculous grace of Christ, and the great joy of being a devoted disciple.
I’ve been at North Hills for over 13 years now and witnessed the work of God in our church family as well as in my own life. We’ve had great times – times full of spiritual wonder, of laughter, of challenge and conflict, of tragedy and sorrow. Lots of memories and good experiences. But God is not finished with us at North Hills. In fact, I believe He’s just getting started in taking us on the spiritual ride of our lives. I am convinced that this is the time for us to set our hope and our hearts on God anew and experience the greatest “refreshing” yet.
Beginning Saturday, October 8, North Hills Church will embark on a journey we are calling "ANew". This is a six-week spiritual focus of renewal and rediscovery of God's work and purpose in our church. During this time I am asking three things of you -- whether you are a member or a regular attender: First, attend our weekend service every week. Where possible rearrange your schedule so that you don’t miss even one Sabbath. Being all together each week for this season will give God a chance to do amazing things in our church. Second, Read this “Anew” devotional guide, posted every day, and let God speak to you through it. These pages have been written by many of you as well as myself, and they will help deepen and expand the weekend messages. Third, participate in a weekly small group meeting. Through a small group you can experience the fellowship, learning, prayer, sharing and ministry that fueled the spiritual explosion of first century Christianity. Join one of the many small groups, or start your own!
By making a commitment in these three areas you are giving God the opportunity to bring a spiritual “refreshing” into your life like you’ve never known. And you will discover His grace and love anew.
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