At the Core of Revival and Evangelism

At the Core of Revival and Evangelism

by Tom Farrell, Byron Foxx, & John Goetsch

A study of human history reveals that God often does His greatest work of revival at the most critical hour. The great revivals of the Old Testament came at the darkest periods of idolatry. The explosion of the early church in Jerusalem came on the heels of Christ's crucifixion—in the exact city where the world rejected Christ. 

It is the very darkness of our culture that makes us candidates for revival. In light of this truth, the pessimism that accompanies most gospel efforts today is disheartening. Does it not seem that rather than bemoaning the darkness we should rejoice in the opportunity to shine the light?

One of the ways God has shined His light in and through local churches in years gone by is through revival meetings with itinerant preachers. There was a time when revivals and the evangelists who preached them were common and in important part of church history. Today, it is not uncommon to meet Christians in our churches who have never attended a revival meeting and could not name an evangelist. The work of preparing young men for this calling is often neglected in our churches and colleges as well.

It was with these thoughts in mind that we, as three evangelists, spoke together near the end of 2015 about our common burden for revival and evangelism. The weeks of prayer and conversations that followed brought about the birth of CORE, which stands for "Conference on Revival and Evangelism." The agenda of CORE is simple: to engage, enlist, equip, and encourage evangelists, pastors, and God's people in our churches in the matters of revival and evangelism.

At the Core, was written in preparation for the CORE meeting, and it will give you a clear look into the hearts of three men who have fasted and prayed that God would raise up another generation that would seek after God in revival.

The book is divided into three parts:

Part 1 addresses revival itself—not the revival meeting, but the reviving work of God. This section covers two of the most vital, but most neglected, components of revival.

Part 2 is primarily directed toward evangelists. It deals with the work of the evangelist himself—his calling, personal life, and preaching for revival.

Part 3 is written primarily for pastors as it provides helpful tools on conducting the revival meeting, including the most important part—the preparation.

Until the Lord returns it is not too late to pray, prepare, and participate in the heartbeat of God Himself—revival.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.—Hosea 10:12

May God use these pages to advance the cause of revival.

John Goetsch, Byron Foxx, Tom Farrell