Mainstream America often neglects rural congregations. History documents these small congregations are the fiber that makes America great. They are forever the grassroots of gospel history. God uses small places of worship to seed mighty works for his glory.
The forgotten piece of history is a reminder God has his hand on America. The colonies were experiencing a spiritual coldness and lack of performance, much like America is today. New England forgot their founding principle, the freedom to worship the Almighty as they saw fit. God stirred their land for Jesus.
Before the Revolutionary War, a 37-year-old preacher was the substitute guest speaker for a revival. He made his 26-mile journey on horseback. Before arriving, the preacher selected part of a verse in Deuteronomy 32:35 as the backbone of his message, “Their foot shall slide in due time.” This message challenged his hearers to understand that death can come suddenly without warning. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” began the flame of America’s Great Awakening.
This month marks the 282nd year since that revival started. The Enfield Connecticut revival originated July 8, 1741, stretching from New England to the middle colonies.
Our churches, by and large, are in the same mindset of apathy as the New England churches were in the seventeen hundreds. Churches standing empty without a pastor are closing. The under-forty crowd finds recreation more important than faithfulness to God. Maybe the time is ripe for revival like the colonies experienced over two centuries ago.
