The Revival at Cane Ridge
By Dr. Mark Denison - November 5th, 2018
History records a most unusual revival from over 200 years ago.
The date was Friday, August 6, 1801. Wagons and carriages bounced along narrow Kentucky roads, carrying men, women, and children to Cane Ridge, a church located 20 miles east of Lexington. They all hungered to partake in what was described as an "extraordinary communion." What they found was what one reporter called the "greatest meeting of its kind ever known." For weeks, as many as 20,000 gathered for the nightly event.
What was behind the Revival at Cane Ridge? In 1794, Methodist bishop Francis Asbury wrote of a growing passion among Christian settlers. James McGready became pastor of three small Kentucky churches in 1798, and his fiery preaching caught the attention of other churches in the area. Barton Stone, pastor of the Cane Ridge Church, heard McGready preach, and his heart was stirred. Stone led his people to cry out to God. By 1800, revival came. As an expression of gratitude for what God had done, they began holding nightly communion services in 1801, and the fires of revival continued to spread.
What's the lesson for today?
I see two things. First, God shows up in unexpected ways. Second, before God stirs a church, city, or nation, he first stirs the hearts of a few.
Here's the good news. What happened at Cane Ridge can happen again today.