In 2023, The Jesus Revolution movie hit the big screen, and its success caught many by surprise. Telling the story of the 1970s-era revival known as the Jesus Movement, the film depicted the journey of pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie as a teenager coming to faith in Southern California. It also powerfully highlighted the influence of Pastor Chuck Smith and the rise of the Calvary Chapel movement.
As a teenager growing up in Los Angeles during that time, I was personally a part of that remarkable move of the Spirit. After the movie’s release, a friend of mine—then editor of Charisma Magazine—invited me to write a feature article reflecting on both the film and the Jesus Movement. The article appeared in the July/August 2023 issue and was also shared on The King’s University’s website. You can find that article here. Notably, it was the final print edition of Charisma Magazine before the publication transitioned to a digital-only format.
I was surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response to the article and was later invited to contribute additional pieces. Now, two years later, as we continue to hear scattered reports of revival around the country, I believe it’s timely to revisit some observations from that original piece. As leaders, it may not be our role to ignite revival, but it is our responsibility to pastor and steward it. As both an educator and pastor, I hope this article helps support that effort.
It may not be our role to ignite revival, but it is our responsibility to pastor and steward it.
Alongside any true move of the Spirit, there are always parallel movements—emotions, personal agendas, and mixed motivations. At times, individuals may attempt to use spiritual outpourings as a platform for self-promotion or carnal ambition. That’s why mature men and women of faith must provide godly oversight and discernment, protecting the spiritual formation of participants and preserving the integrity of the move itself.
One of the most poignant moments in The Jesus Revolution film is when Pastor Chuck Smith gently corrects Evangelist Lonnie Frisbee, whose dramatic ministry style occasionally proved excessive. I saw Lonnie minister once when I was sixteen. That evening, I witnessed both a powerful move of the Spirit and some unnecessary theatrics. Lonnie later left Calvary Chapel and moved to Florida. About five or six years later, he reemerged in Southern California as the Vineyard movement was beginning. During that season, I was a Vineyard pastor and got to know him personally. While much has already been said about Lonnie’s life and legacy, I’ll simply note this: although God forgives and restores, the consequences of our choices—and their effects on others—can remain for years.
Often hidden behind the headlines are men and women powerfully used by God, yet never truly pastored by leaders toward healing, restoration, and maturity. This kind of intentional discipleship is essential. It develops the character needed to withstand the weight, visibility, and responsibility of ministry. When revival fades, unformed character can result in fractured reputations and scattered people. That is never God’s desire.
In my 46 years of ordained ministry, one recurring concern I’ve seen is the assumption that anointing can replace spiritual formation, discipleship, and maturity. It cannot. A balanced, Spirit-empowered approach—like the one The King’s University has embedded in its very DNA—is not optional; it’s essential.
Beyond the passion and energy of revival, we must shepherd people well. That means grounding them in the Word of God, offering Spirit-led and biblically sound counsel, and equipping them to minister to others in the same Spirit.
Revival Will Come As We Pray for the Next Generation
As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned that aging is not for the faint of heart! Over the past decade, I’ve had multiple joint replacements and often wonder, “How did I suddenly wake up old?” But one thing I’ve noticed after nearly half a century of ministry is how many leaders remain focused on their ministry rather than pouring into the next generation—young people who are yearning for a move of God. Pour into their lives instead!
One of the great joys of serving on the faculty at The King’s University is meeting incredible young women and men who feel called by God and deeply desire to see His kingdom come. As our website declares, The King’s “provides sound biblical, theological, and practical ministry preparation for Christ-like, Spirit-empowered, transformational leaders for the global Church.”
Let’s shift our focus from growing our own platforms to planting, watering, and encouraging growth in those God is raising up.
That oft-quoted line, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way,” sometimes attributed to General Patton, leaves something out. I’d revise it to say: “Lead, follow, or invest in our future leaders.” Revival is something we long for and pray for—but the blessing is generational: “to our children, and our children’s children.” Let’s shift our focus from growing our own platforms to planting, watering, and encouraging growth in those God is raising up.
Preparing the Heart and Mind for Revival
Thirty years ago, after nine years of part-time study while working full-time in ministry and raising three children, I finally graduated from Fuller Seminary. That journey gives me great compassion as a professor for students juggling the demands of ministry and education.
When I graduated, my wife Linda hosted a small dinner with several local pastoral couples. One of our friends, a Baptist pastor and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, wrote something in a card that I’ve never forgotten:
“It is by no means necessary that everyone in ministry be a theologian. However, it is necessary that a few of us are.”
That line has stayed with me. It’s critical that some of us have a solid grasp of theology, church history, and practical ministry so we can faithfully steward the moves of the Spirit in our generation. That’s one more reason I love teaching at The King’s University.
Word and Spirit
When I was a college freshman, just beginning to explore the call to full-time ministry, the Jesus Movement often presented a false divide between Spirit-led ministry and theological study. We saw academic rigor as “man’s wisdom” and feared it would quench the Holy Spirit.
Thankfully, two men changed my trajectory: Pastor Jack Hayford and Pastor John Wimber of the Vineyard movement. I was a Vineyard pastor at the time and knew Pastor John well. Through him, I had the opportunity to meet and learn from Pastor Jack, who often spoke at our Vineyard gatherings. I’ll never forget a night in 1995 at the Vineyard international conference in California, when John invited Pastor Jack to give the keynote. Afterward, Jack and Dr. Paul Chappell were at a table sharing about their new endeavor—The King’s College and Seminary. We spoke at length that night. A decade later, Jack and Paul invited me to teach courses for the new Colorado Springs teaching site.
Now based in Southlake, Texas, The King’s University continues in that legacy—offering a beautiful balance of Spirit-empowered, biblically grounded theological education. Students leave equipped to serve in churches, communities, and marketplaces around the world.
So—are we on the cusp of a new Jesus Revolution? A fresh revival? I certainly hope so.
To those of you who are younger: Press into the Lord. Pursue both personal intimacy with Jesus and the hard work of Scripture study. Become the kind of leader described in 1 Chronicles 12:32—someone “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”
And to those of us who are no longer so young: Are we investing in the next generation? Are we welcoming, mentoring, and encouraging them as they respond to God’s call? May we be faithful in raising them up—for the next wave of Spirit-led revival.
