“Is this a revival? We just want to know what God is doing over there.” This is the response I got from countless people while I was on my way to Asbury on February 14, 2023. It would have been easy to say that I left for Asbury because I was curious, or that I had serious FOMO, but the truth is, I went because I felt God told me to go and to “capture stories of what I am doing there.” So I packed my car and left 45 minutes later with an ensemble of clothes, video gear and road snacks.
Looking back to that first week of the Asbury Outpouring, it was hard to get any real information about it. Sure, there were a dozen livestreams from people’s cell phones at any given time, and plenty of people sharing vaguely about it on social media. People who were there had the inside scoop but nobody on the outside really knew what God was doing. The conversations I kept hearing reminded me of Matthew 11:3 “Are You the One Who was to come, or should we look for another?”, when John’s disciples asked Jesus if he was the Messiah. The reason for this is because people wanted to know if this was the revival they’ve been praying for and, honestly, hoping for.
“When you think about how did this start… I believe that it was just a pure and deep cry for more of God’s Spirit…”
Khalil Akiky · Asbury University Student
The role that media played at Asbury is truly unique in how this move of God played out. With ease, dozens of people could livestream from their phones to social media platforms to show that something was happening. Within days, I had people from different circles of friends posting on Facebook about the “revival at Asbury”. There were 2-3 Facebook groups that were at 10 thousand members before a week was up–people just looking for a glimpse of what was going on. Before many people knew what Asbury was, they knew there was something going on there.
When I arrived on site (besides quickly getting a drone shot of the line of people waiting to get in because the sun was quickly setting), I asked God – how do you film a move like this? Honestly, it felt a bit daunting. Just 7 hours earlier I was not planning on being there, much less having spent any time preparing for this. However the answer came pretty quickly. He told me to capture the testimonies of those whose lives have been impacted.
Through supernatural favor God had opened up doors for me to interview faculty and students to get a full account of how this began, and what God was doing in the hearts of the people impacted by Jesus. If you think about it, the gospels are written in a similar fashion - first hand accounts and testimonies. A few days after I returned home, the film was edited by my extremely talented wife, and quickly released on YouTube to help get the story out to the masses. I felt strongly that the Holy Spirit was guiding us to get the story out so others could hear and grab hold of what was happening at Asbury for themselves.
“I felt so bold … to pray for people and allowing God to use me just to speak through me to people for what they need to hear.”
Mia Lush · Asbury University Student
Shortly after, the film spread around the world, with people all over messaging me about the impact the film was having. I was also getting messages from people informing me of other moves of God that were happening in other places, asking me to come. I was ready to walk in my new identity as a revival chaser, kind of like how tornado chasers hop in their cars at a moment’s notice. Yet, when I checked in with the Holy Spirit, I didn’t get a peace about going anywhere else. “If not me”, I asked Him, “who will go to tell the stories?”
See, a few years ago, God had spoken to me about His desire to raise up a million media missionaries across the planet whose mandate would be to change the narrative of the world from one of doom and gloom to one of hope in Him. I felt Him reveal to me that those of us brave enough to say ‘yes’ would be responsible for stoking the flames of revival by being boots on the ground, ready to move in when a move of God happens, capturing the testimonies of what God is doing and showing the world the proof of what God is doing.
“And they started sharing their testimonies and it didn’t stop…”
Alison Perfater · Asbury University Student
He gave me a name for these media missionaries “Film Revivalists.” We are people who advance the Kingdom by telling stories through film with an expectancy that God will encounter people watching, wherever they are. As in biblical times, unbelievers needed to see proof–that’s why we have signs and wonders. Still today and in a media-obsessed society, it is our greatest opportunity to reach culture to go where the people are, on their tech devices and on the screens. He is looking for videographers to partner with, to tell stories of what He is doing all over the world, so people will know that God is good and He is alive and real.
“People have been reminded about the goodness of God.”
Zeke Atha · Asbury University Student
If you are reading this and are involved with video production at your church, your profession, or maybe as a hobby, know that God is looking for those who will say “here I am Lord, send me,” and to represent Him through film so that this lost world, looking for what’s real, can find hope in Him.
I believe that what happened at Asbury was an authentic move of God, pouring out on His people, and that events like this are going to continue to increase. As these outpourings multiply, we will need more people who will film these powerful moments and let the voices of those encountered by God change the narrative.
“…God had spoken to me about His desire to raise up a million media missionaries across the planet whose mandate would be to change the narrative of the world from one of doom and gloom to one of hope in Him.”