McGready recruited some other preachers—some Baptist, some Presbyterian, and some Methodist to assist him with large gatherings taking place. Tens of thousands were now pouring in with wagons and supplies to stay through summer meetings. McGready would stand on an eight-foot podium and preach while his fellow ministers would take their places on outskirts of crowds and preach salvation messages. This way, everyone heard and was able to respond to outpouring of Holy Ghost. From this frontier revival, began what has been recorded in American history as second “Great Awakening.”

The Results of Frontier Outpouring

When these crowds began to break up and travel home, they took a bit of revival fire with them to their part of western wilderness. Soon little church buildings began to appear. Many of those who were saved in revivals gathered as Baptists and took pastors from their own rank and file to minister to them. These chosen few had no special credentials other than they were on fire for Lord. What they lacked in learning, they made up with Holy Spirit fire in their souls. The Baptist pastors worked their fields through week and pastored flocks on Sundays. The Baptist congregations grew, forming a foundation that allowed Baptists to grow to one of largest Protestant denominations currently in America.

Those who joined together as Methodists were visited by Methodist’s circuit riders. George Whitefield had ridden a Methodist circuit across eastern seaboard during first “Great Awakening.” During second awakening, Francis Asbury, as well as many others, rode Methodist circuits throughout western frontier. This they did for many years, preaching and encouraging small congregations in their newfound faith. With this personal attention, Methodists in west grew to rival Baptists in size.

But what about Presbyterians? They had been at Gasper River outpouring. Did they take their faith back to their homes? Yes. They did, but something happened in Presbyterian denomination that stopped them from taking a hold in west. The Presbyterians split over revivals that were happening. Some of them said that God was a “God of order” and would never use emotionalism to win lost. They couldn’t get beyond quaking, being slain, screaming and hollering, and barking that took place during meetings. So, Methodists and Baptists took up slack.

Far from becoming pagan as many in east had predicted, western settlers became born again Christians on fire for Lord. The unifying faith of Christ did more to bond western settlers as one nation of Americans than any other unifying factor in early American history. The second “Great Awakening” which had began in a rogue county in Kentucky at turn of 19th century, continued in pocket revivals throughout entire century.

Also, second awakening did something unique from any other move of God in world history. Christians began to develop a keen sense of “beyond church house ministry” mentality. They began to join together, no matter what denomination affiliation, and work for a common goal of getting Church ready for coming Kingdom of God.

They joined together to fight slavery, hunger, alcoholism, poverty, and many more social problems in America. The Christian community developed an aggressive social conscience. In 1804 some young college students were walking across an open field when a thunderstorm blew up. They quickly took shelter under a haystack. While waiting for storm to surrender, they joined hands and pledged their lives to missions in Asia. This was a radical concept. Up to this time, very little attention had been given to missions beyond wilderness in America. The Haystack Prayer Meeting is now famous for foundation it laid and opening for Gospel it generated in Asia and around world.

Then again, second awakening readied this nation for coming tragedy of American Civil War, death and carnage of brother against brother. On brighter side, it prepared America for grand crusades of Charles G. Finney and D.L. Moody. America was greatly influenced by second “Great Awakening.”

It’s amazing how God’s hand has directed this nation. When many said we were doomed to heathenish by exodus west in late 1700s, God had other plans. He always has a plan and upper hand. God is sure to honor His covenant relationship with America’s first settlers at Plymouth Rock as long as Americans keep seeking Him.

Although America has had many hard and difficult times, and continues to wane at times, God can always find a remnant of His people to stand gap for this nation. This is land we love. When believers begin to pray by laying aside all denominational barriers and theological differences, Spirit of Living God goes to work, restoring this great land to her national heritage.

Yes, we are one nation under God. We are one nation founded as a light unto this world. We are one nation commissioned to uphold old rugged cross of Jesus Christ. We must never let our light dim. We must fan flame, and pray that God will continue work He started in America from sea to shining sea, even in most unlikely places, in His most willing way.

May God forever bless America, my home sweet home.

Pastor Terry Dashner Faith Fellowship Church PO Box 1586 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 918-451-0270 dash0355@cs.com

W.W.J.D.?

Jesus was strategic. Do you perceive Jesus as inefficient, disorganized, and unintentional? If Jesus were in “corporate America”, do you think he would be a failure or a raging success? It is obvious that Jesus was intent on accomplishing his goals, that he was deliberate in choosing his disciples, and that his daily tactics lined up with his ultimate plans.

Jesus was creative. The word pictures that Jesus drew for his audiences evidence his creative thought and attention to innovation. Creativity is compelling. Just as it is essential to spend exhaustive hours learning message, it is vital to design captivating presentations. God is ultimate creator – simply look in mirror and realize He designed you to be creative too.

Jesus was relevant. Though he did not waiver in his message, Jesus made sure that his presentation was relevant to his audience. There is a difference between theology and methodology. As a minister, it is imperative to identify your theology and fervently stand by it as you share it. Seminaries across country do a phenomenal job teaching students theology. However as it pertains to methodology, way in which theology is presented, there is a disconnection.

The fruit of seminary is seen in growth of churches around globe. Yet as I step into local church after local church to observe their day-to-day and weekend-to-weekend operations, there is a lack of creativity and relevancy. The training ground for tomorrow’s church leaders must align itself with forward thinking methodology. Remember, piano was cutting edge at one time – let’s create new and exciting ways to reach people! God-centered people with God-given creativity can implement God-sized plans that produce God-blessed results!