Candace is a wife, mother to 5, pastor, and counselor. She has personally walked through tremendous trials, abuse, and loss. She carries the overcoming anointing and imparts and teaches it to others all across the world through her preaching, and counseling ministry. Her and her husband’s heart are to see families healed and restored. They are pioneering a healing ministry which includes wildernesses retreats, healing nights and much more.
Website candaceandcody.com
Why Asbury? – A Word by Candace Roberts
Candace Roberts
Email: [email protected]
I’m sure like me, many of you have been watching what is taking place at Asbury university, and maybe like me you have also pondered the question, why Asbury?
I want to propose a few ideas to you, this is not a “thus sayeth the Lord” word. This is my heart, understanding of His word and what He has revealed to me in the secret place with Him and at the alter crying out with others for 13 years for an outpouring of His spirit.
They were allowed to linger
It’s so simple it could be easily missed, but I fear many have. This profound move started first, with young people who were sensitive to the move of the holy spirit and compelled to obey no matter what. They knew he wasn’t done yet and so they chose to stay. We cry out for God to move, to pour out like he is now, but I can’t help but wonder how many times he has tried before and been denied?
Please hear my heart, I know that God has a divine appointed time already set in place and that He certainly can do whatever He wills. BUT, there has always been an IF on the people. IF my people will humble themselves and pray, IF we will obey, IF we will repent. There is a place where we partner with God in obedience not only to His commandments, but in following His spirit.
We cry out for outpouring, but are we really ready for the disruption? It not only took young people sensitive to what the spirit was doing, but leaders who stood behind, supported and allowed it to happen. The leaders humbled themselves and simply moved out of the way.
Many churches today are willing to send their young people on a bus to revival, but are they willing to toss their programs? Are they willing to break protocol and leave the time restraints behind?
What we are seeing at Asbury is certainly special. God is clearly moving and no one knows where it will lead or what will happen next.
Every time Holy Spirit moves it is unique, when he pours out his spirit in the last days like he promised, it won’t all look the same. But what if what is happening at Asbury is available to every church in America? IF they will allow it, if the leaders will humble themselves and step aside and allow themselves to be a ceiling to stand on, instead of one that blocks.
What if churches allowed themselves to become houses of prayer and worship again?
Secondly, the new breed youth were allowed to take their place and were supported by leadership. It was the students who initiated and who continue to lead worship. This generation is a new breed, they will not be satisfied with the old wine skin or church as usual. They are seeking a fresh outpouring and I believe we are standing in the midst of a Joel 2:29 generation. For too long the church has been a one man show, completely void of the blueprint clearly laid out for us in his word.
For this move to have full impact and to spread, leaders must humble themselves, lay down their well-manicured sermons and be willing to pass the baton.
Don’t get me wrong, there must be honor and order. I have heard many people say that there is no one in charge at Asbury. While that might be true on stage it is certainly not true behind the scenes. I cannot imagine the conversations of administration behind closed doors. The calls from parents, the logistics, heck even the light bill! Believe me, as a leader who has actually been a part of, and stewarded extending outpouring, these are the things you don’t think about. People show up and get to enjoy what is happening. But I have been praying for the leadership and administration from day one. That they would have wisdom, strategy and most of all to be led by the Holy spirit as they make decisions and support this move.
Today’s leaders must be willing to pass the baton!
Third, what you are seeing at Asbury is a return to the ORIGINAL model of worship. Night and day worship, a return to the tabernacle of David.
A return to prayer! A return to the alter! Jesus clearly said, my house shall be called a house of prayer. If you mention the word intercession to many Christians, they don’t even know what you are talking about. This is a generation that will weep between porch and alter, a generation who will intercede. This is a generation who will minister unto the Lord in pure worship. Day and night, night and day. They will be sold out, lovesick lovers of Jesus. Prayer and worship will no longer be optional, but foundational.
In short, there are no words for what is happening. I have absolutely zero criticism of the move I see at Asbury. I write this instead to make you think, to stir something in you. To awaken a hunger to see the Holy spirit pour out like we have never experienced before.
We cannot pray for revival to spread among the nations and be willing to drive hours to attend while maintaining the status quo at home. What is happening should provoke every person, leader and church to say, DO IT HERE LORD! Whatever it looks like, whatever agenda or time schedule we have to lay down, whatever we have to rearrange or sacrifice.
True revival is being ruined for anything else but the ONE thing, him. True revival is hearts being set on fire at the altar of sacrifice and repentance. Are we willing to repent for stifling Holy spirit? For allowing ourselves to grow comfortable and lukewarm? There are a lot of “good” things we can do in the name of Jesus, but is it a God thing? True revival just might challenge everything you thought you knew.
Holy spirit we are ready! To whatever leaders see this, whatever your office or title may be, this is my challenge. Will you let Him move!? Let’s see what happens, it just may usher in something no eye has seen or ear has heard.
Joel 2:28-29
“It will come about after this that I will pour out my spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, you old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out my spirit in those days.”
Mathew 21:13
“It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer.”
Romans 8:14
“For all those who are being led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
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