If revival can be prayed down from Heaven, then it will happen this week in Elizabethton. A group of young preachers in the community as well as other interested persons have been meeting and jointly praying for revival for the past several weeks.
“God laid it on my heart in the early spring to begin praying for revival, especially for our youth,” said Hunter Greene, one of the young men who has helped organize a youth revival, beginning Sunday at First Free Will Baptist Church in Elizabethton. Services will be held each evening through Friday, beginning at 7 p.m.
“We are looking for a packed house each night. If we need to, we will move to a bigger facility,” Greene said.
The group on Friday evening went out witnessing at a local park and in the downtown, inviting people to the revival, and handing out cold drinks, cookies, and fliers, something they have been doing for the past month.
“I and the other young preachers, who will be leading in this revival, really have a burden for young people. Young people often get a bad rap. This is a hard time to grow up in America and to uplift the name of Jesus. Young people struggle daily with issues such as alcohol, drugs and sex. What they need to hear and know is that there is a way out and it is through Jesus Christ,” said Greene.
Greene, who serves as associate pastor of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church at Hampton, has been preaching for three years. He answered the call to preach at the age of 16 and was licensed to preach and ordained to the ministry by the Appalachian Free Will Baptist Association.
He is presently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and History at Milligan College. Greene will be preaching Sunday evening at the youth revival.
“All of the young men speaking at the revival are under the age of 21. All are dedicated young men, who love the Lord and want to reach people and to see souls saved,” Greene said.
In addition to Greene, the speakers include Stetson Stafford, Monday; Tyler Street, Tuesday; Jake Johnson, Wednesday; Tyrell Hughes, Thursday; and Kagan Young, Friday.
All are from the Carter County area except for two, who are from the Avery County, N.C. area.
Special singing will be presented at each service by local youth as well as the Valley Forge Free Will Baptist Praise Choir.
“Although it is a youth-led revival, it is a revival for all denominations, all ages, and all people. There’s no dress code or stipulations. Child care will also be provided,” said Greene.
“We have prayed and sought God’s will, and He has brought together a wonderful opportunity. The theme of the revival is ‘Desire the Fire.’ We are ready to see God pour out His power and glory on us like He has never has before.
“We are praying that all churches regardless of beliefs will join us. We desire for our generation to see God’s glory and feel his presence like we never have before. If we don’t we may not have the privilege of freely praising God as we do now. Satan has attacked our homes as many of today’s youth have grown up in broken homes. He has attacked our schools, our media as the TV we watch and the music we listen to glorify the most vulgar aspects of our culture. He has attacked Washington, as our leaders continually ignore the God that created our nation and continues to bless us in spite of our sins and problems,” said Greene.
“I believe that if we pray for revival, desire it, and people are obedient, we will see revival,” Greene added.
First Free Will Baptist Church is located at 706 First St.