Asian Revivals — Fire in the East
Key Scriptures
Isaiah 59:19; Acts 2:17; Habakkuk 2:14
Introduction
When many in the 19th and 20th centuries looked at Asia, they saw “mission fields” resistant to the gospel. But God was already writing a different story — one of revivals that shook villages, broke cultural strongholds, and birthed movements of prayer, evangelism, and compassion that continue to shape global Christianity today.
From the prayer mountains of Korea, to the orphan girls at Pandita Ramabai’s Mukti Mission in India, to underground churches in China, and the ministries of T.L. Osborn and Mother Teresa, Asia reminds us: the Spirit of God cannot be confined by governments, traditions, or expectations.
1) The Pyongyang Revival (1907, Korea) — The Korean Pentecost
In January 1907, Korean believers gathered in Pyongyang, and the Spirit fell in a wave of deep repentance and prayer.
Marks: public confession of sin, all-night prayer, radical holiness.
Impact: Laid the foundation for Korea’s explosive church growth and its reputation as a global center of prayer and missions.
Lesson: Revival thrives in repentance and sustained prayer.
2) Mukti Mission Revival (1905, India) — Fire Among the Marginalized
Pandita Ramabai, reformer and Christian leader, ran a school and orphanage for girls in Pune.
In 1905, revival fire broke out: young girls prayed, prophesied, evangelized, and healings occurred.
Impact: Hundreds of girls became bold witnesses, carrying revival across India.
Lesson: God uses the overlooked — women, children, the marginalized — to spark His greatest moves.
3) The Chinese House Church Revival (1949–present)
After the Communist takeover, churches went underground. Instead of dying, they multiplied.
Marks: bold witness under persecution, miracles, dreams, healings, explosive growth.
Impact: From less than 1 million Christians in 1949 to over 100 million today.
Lesson: Revival thrives under fire. When the world presses down, the Spirit breaks through.
4) T.L. Osborn’s Crusade Revivals (1950s–1970s, India & Asia)
T.L. Osborn traveled widely through Asia, preaching in India, the Philippines, and beyond.
Marks: stadium-sized crusades, miraculous healings (blind seeing, lame walking), and mass conversions.
He trained local believers, distributed gospel literature, and equipped indigenous evangelists.
Impact: Sparked Pentecostal and Charismatic growth in India and Southeast Asia. Inspired leaders like Benson Idahosa (Nigeria) to carry revival forward in Africa.
Lesson: Evangelism with signs and wonders can shake nations when coupled with training locals to carry the fire.
5) Mother Teresa’s Compassion Revival (1950s–1990s, India)
In Calcutta, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, serving “the poorest of the poor.”
Marks: caring for the dying, lepers, orphans, and the abandoned with Christlike love.
Her life became a living revival of God’s compassion, challenging the world’s indifference.
Impact: Inspired global movements of mercy; today, her order serves in over 100 countries.
Lesson: Revival isn’t only stadiums and miracles — it’s also in alleys, slums, and hospital beds, where love reveals Christ more powerfully than words.
Common Themes in Asian Revivals
- Prayer as Lifestyle – Early morning, all-night, or hidden prayer.
- Repentance and Brokenness – Public confession and holiness.
- Youth, Women, and the Marginalized – God often chose society’s “least.”
- Persecution as Catalyst – Especially in China.
- Mission and Compassion – Osborn showed mass evangelism; Teresa showed love in action.
Inspiring Real-Life Snapshots
- Korea: The sound of thousands crying out in prayer shook buildings — a “sound like many waters.”
- India (Mukti): Teenage girls wept and prayed until whole towns were stirred to repentance.
- China: Villages converted after one healing miracle.
- Osborn: A paralyzed man walked before thousands in India, sparking hundreds of conversions on the spot.
- Teresa: Holding the hand of a dying beggar, she whispered, “You are loved by God.” That man died with dignity, knowing he was seen by heaven.
Action Challenge: “This Week’s Mission”
- Dedicate one morning to early prayer (Korean style).
- Find one act of compassion to show Christ’s love (Teresa’s example).
- Share your faith with at least one person this week (Osborn’s model).
Interactive Discussion Prompts
- Which expression of revival speaks most to you — prayer fire (Korea), marginalized voices (Mukti), endurance under persecution (China), evangelistic crusades (Osborn), or compassion (Teresa)? Why?
- What balance of power and love do you think your community needs to see revival today?
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