Prayer and Revival: Celebrating our Andrews Story

A message from our president, Andrea Luxton

To access the entire series of letters from President Andrea Luxton, click here.

Feb. 27, 2023

Dear campus community and friends of the University,

Over the next several days, I will be speaking to you personally, directly from my heart, on a number of important issues relevant to the Andrews University community. Why now? It seems that at a time of change for the University, rumors and questions about the University increase. My intent then is to share with you as a way of clearly Celebrating Our Andrews University Story.

I have developed this series of messages prayerfully, keeping in mind our Sharing the Heart of God values that inspire the work of our dedicated University family of employees.

This first letter speaks about prayer and revival and its central importance to our University (and faith) community, a topic very much in our current conversations.

I want to start by telling you a personal story. When I was 17 years old, in my final year of secondary school in England, I along with two friends decided to meet every day before school to pray to see if the “prayer thing” really worked. We read a Scripture and prayed—just for 15 minutes each day. After about a week, it became clear that something was really happening in those moments together, so much so that our classmates noticed and asked to join. As the numbers grew, we asked the school principal if we could have a larger room and start opening these morning sessions to other students. He agreed. Soon our prayer sessions spread throughout the school and up to 100 students (11 to 18 year olds) would come each morning before school to join us. Teachers started coming and yes, it lasted for the remainder of that school year until I completed my secondary education. Yes, it was a revival.

I very much believe in prayer and I very much believe in revival. I have been part of one. I was one of those who started one. I cannot talk about others, but the change that took place in me over those weeks has never gone away. Those who took part in the revival on this campus in the 1970s similarly speak of that impact. Is this the right time for another revival at Andrews University? And what does that revival look like?

I would suggest it is always time for a revival. Big scale, small scale, in the lives of individual students and employees. It is always time for a revival. If we are ready, and when we pray, God then decides the how and when. In fact, I would suggest that actually the 1970s may not have been the last time there was a revival here at Andrews University. In fact, just in the last week, some have shared with me that there was an Andrews University campus revival in the late 1990s which involved hundreds of our students, and led to ministering to the city of Benton Harbor—ministry efforts which continue to this day and include a new Adventist church in that city that directly grew out of that ministry.

I would add, however, that I don’t think we need revival when there is just spiritual malaise. When I started a revival, was it because I thought others were not spiritual enough? No, it was because I decided I needed more of God. It doesn’t matter where I have been on a college or university campus, there has always been a feeling by some that a campus is not spiritual enough or is somehow getting less spiritual. This campus, as well as churches and other faith institutions, also gets accused of that. And that is natural. However, we measure what we value, and we really value the faith and spirituality of students. These measurements tell a different story, a distinctly hopeful and reassuring story.

As I look at Andrews University and as I see the spiritual surveys and exit reports, including identifications of commitment to faith and mission, I am actually humbled by what God is doing in the individual lives of our students. Here is just one example: “I was strengthened in faith through my professors and also through their teachings I was able to grow spiritually in my Adventist identity.”

And as I see the amazing commitment of our faculty, Student Life professionals, chaplains and other staff and how they engage personally in the spiritual lives of their students, I am again humbled. Indeed, our students’ Sabbath worship attendance and engagement and our service and mission engagement is at a level that many other faith communities, either on a campus or in an individual church, envy.

I say and share all of this as a reality check. Andrews University in 2023 is packed with students and employees who are exhibiting their faith and commitment to mission daily and in very real ways.

So does that mean we don’t need a revival at Andrews University? To the contrary. We always need revival. And I believe we already actually experience revival in the hearts and lives of our students every day. But are we ready for a large-scale revival? It would be wonderful to see that, too.

And so we pray for ourselves, for each other. And as God shows us of our personal need for Him, and we respond, maybe the revival we experience will be for us; maybe it will ignite beyond us.

Either way, I want you all to know that God is deeply present on this campus in a very real way. Please know that. And God’s renewal and revival? By all means, but let it start with us.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25).

And tomorrow: First in Diversity: Celebrating Our Andrews University Story.

Andrea Luxton
President