“The aura of God’s
reviving presence
stayed with my
father. He never
forgot the power
and preciousness
of those days.”
This month I have been remembering my father who passed away twenty years ago on March 9, 1997. God used him when I was younger to ignite a desire for revival in my own heart. This occurred as Dad talked about revival. He saw revival several times over his years of ministry. But most pronounced was the revival in the church he pastored in Miami, Florida. He spoke of it often, and when he did, with fondness of memory. These reminiscing times ignited something in my heart.
Dad told of a meeting in the late 1940s with a young Ed Nelson, who was then in evangelism. Nelson had seen a meeting in Indiana break open and last for six weeks. So Dad invited him to Miami. The meeting went for three weeks. It was more than a good meeting. It was a meeting with God. Saints experienced revival and sinners came to Christ. As a result of the moving of the Spirit, the church grew remarkably and Dad said he was baptizing new believers for months. As a result of this season the church basically doubled from about 150 to 300 people. According to my uncle the church continued in a revival atmosphere until the next surge of revival in the early 1950s. This time it was a two week meeting with John R. Rice. Again the Spirit of revival brought in another glorious harvest, and Dad said he was again baptizing people for months. As a result of this season the church doubled from about 400 plus to 800 plus.
The aura of God’s reviving presence stayed with my father. He never forgot the power and preciousness of those days. Although he saw other revivals over the years, there was something special about that first impression. Once when I was serving as my father’s assistant, he took me with him to a meeting of preachers who were discussing the issues of the day. The discussions were animated and at times stiff with tension and disagreement. But they ended the time with a prayer meeting. I remember my father knelt to pray next to Monroe Parker. The prayer meeting had been fairly perfunctory, but changed when my father lifted his voice in earnest heart-cry, “O Lord, please send another revival—like the one You sent in the days of my youth….” He could go no further as the tears flowed freely. Monroe Parker, who knew revival in his youth as well, leaned over and said, “God bless you, brother!”
Moments like that sent sparks of revival desire right into my heart. I wish I could talk to Dad now, since there are many questions I would love to ask him now that I didn’t have sense to ask then. But I’m grateful for the impact of these blessed memories. Before my father died, he spoke several times of a coming realignment of things. Perhaps a great revival will be a part of this realignment.
John Van Gelderen
Post Author
About This Blog
Hello, I’m John Van Gelderen. I am an evangelist and the president of Revival Focus Ministries, an organization for the cause of revival in hearts, homes, churches, and beyond, and for evangelizing. This blog is focused on experiencing Jesus. I believe in order to really live, you must access and experience the very life of Jesus Christ.
Hey John!
I remember with great fondness.
When your Dad and Pastor Bumpus would get together at Bethel.
We always looked forward to those times.
I loved your Frank Bumpus and your Dad very much.
I miss those days.
Thank you for the memories!
Dave Levin, Sr
I sat under his preaching early in my Christian life. It very much helped me my understanding of the Bible and doctrine.
Thank you, Brother John. In hope of reading your father’s biography, perhaps chapter 1 is beginning to congeal. A testimony, vital in the stirring of believers.
Hello John…In April of 1991 I was invited to the Centurion Classic at your dads church. At 29 years old, this is when I heard the Gospel for the first time in my life. The next day, I accepted Christ as my Savior. After making a public profession of faith, your dad met with me in his study. I’ll always remember that special meeting with one of Gods great men of the faith. As Dave Levin said below, I miss the old time preachers like your dad and Dr. Bumpus. But the blessings continue…this week we have revival meetings at… Read more »
Wow! Neat testimony, Bill! Thanks for sharing.
I did not have a lot of contact with your dad. I remember that he preached in chapel at Pillsbury during my time there. Also, the college choir I was in sang at Marquette Manor while your dad was there. I do remember hearing of his going to glory and made me sad to think another of the great “warhorses” of the faith had left us. I remember in conversations about the days when good men felt compelled to leave the Conservative Baptist group, your dad’s name came up a lot. Praise God for men like that and for the… Read more »
Thank you John for a heart warming article. Praise the Lord for men like your Dad. I pray to see a revival like in the old days.
Thank you Brother Gray! I’m praying too.
Thank you for this story about your dad. My husband Gene and I were able to talk with him several times. He was always a blessing to us. We were on staff at PCC and when your sister Joanna was there too, we invited them to the house for dinner and had a blessed time. We will never forget him. My husband and I were saved thru the ministry at Bethany Baptist Church, Chicago, IL. Pastor Bob Daulton. Thank you again for your service to our Lord through evangelism.
I was saved under the ministry of Bob Daulton at Bethany Baptist Church in Chicago. It wasn’t long before I became acquainted with Marquette Manor in Downers Grove since so many of our church kids attended there. Got to speak with your dad and hear him preach a number of times. After my studies at Tabernacle Baptist Bible College in Greenville, SC under Dr. Harold Sightler, I received a call from Dr. Arlin Horton asking me if I’d be interested in teaching at P.C.C. I began there the same year as your sister Joanna. One day she was walking down… Read more »