Kindling the Fire

How to Steward the Stirring Revival

Islands in Oceans and Sparks in Darkness

Recently, there have been encouraging reports, research, and social media posts pointing to pockets of revival stirring — even while a lot of the news still paints a picture of a generation stepping away from the faith. We see the rising tides of secularism and a pervasive sense of disillusionment, leaving vast oceans of spiritual drift. But look closer. Amidst this cultural ebb, something remarkable is happening: we are witnessing islands of revival breaking out.

These are not always grand, stadium-filling events, but quiet stirrings — a profound spiritual hunger and a renewed conviction that God is actively moving in our world. This is precisely how revival often begins: not with a roar, but with a whisper; not with a wildfire, but with a spark.

Our research confirms this shift is happening across the globe:

• In the United Kingdom, a “Quiet Revival” is underway — twice as many people are committing to follow Christ compared to five years ago, driven by a desire for a genuine “experience of God.”
• The spontaneous awakening at Asbury University in 2023 demonstrated that true spiritual stirring is rooted in profound humility and deep personal repentance, bypassing pre-planned programs.
• Ongoing reports of wide embrace of Christianity and spiritual awakening in the global South, particularly Africa and South America.
• Continued growth of the house church movement in Iran and supernatural revelations of Jesus across the Middle East.
• In Asia, the persecuted church continues to grow, and great next-generation mission movements are on the rise.

Revival often begins not with a bang, but with a whisper; not with a wildfire, but with a spark. This is a time to blow on the embers.

The Goldilocks Test: Finding the “Just Right” Response

Much like Goldilocks finding her perfect bowl of porridge, our response to revival cannot be too hot, too cold, or simply wrong. We need to find the “just right” approach that honours God’s work and allows it to flourish.

1. The Jonah Response: Too Cold, Too Critical

Jonah witnessed a massive revival in Nineveh — and was angry about it. The Jonah Response is characterised by cynicism, critique over celebration, and a refusal to engage. This response chills the atmosphere, stifles the Spirit, and causes us to miss out on God’s incredible work.

2. The Sons of Sceva Response: Too Hot, Too Exploitative

In Acts 19, the sons of Sceva tried to imitate God’s powerful works for their own gain — without connection to the source. This response is marked by superficial imitation, exploitation, adding human formulas, and prioritising spectacle over substance. It creates a temporary, shallow buzz but lacks depth for lasting fruit.

3. The Mary and Martha Response: Just Right

This is the sweet spot — a response that beautifully integrates deep intimacy with practical service.

The Mary Heart: Our first response must be to prioritise Jesus’ presence. In a time of revival, this means cultivating deep intimacy with Him — listening, learning, worshiping, soaking in His presence. Extravagant worship (John 12:1–8) builds the spiritual atmosphere where revival thrives.

The Martha Hands: Revival needs “Marthas” — those willing to roll up their sleeves and do the practical work: creating welcoming environments, organising events, providing logistical support, stewarding resources wisely, establishing structures for discipleship.

The key is for Martha’s activity to flow from a Mary heart. When these two postures work together — intimacy fuelling service, and service creating space for intimacy — the embers are truly fanned into a sustainable, growing fire.

May we steward well what God is doing in these precious islands of revival. May we respond accurately, with Mary’s heart for His presence and Martha’s hands for His work. And may God, in His boundless grace and power, cause a great revival to sweep over the nations.

What islands of revival are you seeing? How are you stewarding the sparks in your community?