The church I attend had been planning to have ‘revival’ meetings with Ralph Sutera, who had been to our church years ago along with his twin brother, Lou. When they came to Int’l Falls in the late 70’s (I wasn’t even a Christian), many hearts were stirred and moved and some are even still living the life of faith that was ignited back then. I was impressed that these men don’t come to a church unless they hear from the Lord. Indeed, they are about praying for the Lord’s perfect timing.
Within this past year, unbeknown to many of us, our church was going through some difficult internal things. At the appropriate time, Ralph Sutera confirmed that he would indeed come in the fall and there would be a series of meetings for four days that would be open to the community. These meetings ended up being four very interesting days for yours truly who had never attended “revival” meetings before.
Some background on the Suteras show that these men of God have been serving in this capacity for over 50 years! It was in the early 70’s that Ralph and Lou were use by the Lord in the sweeping Canadian Prairie revival that impacted many lives, including Henry Blackaby (Experiencing God) and Irwin Lutzer (senior pastor of Moody Memorial Church.) Wow, these are names I know and respect. You can find out information about the Suteras.
I have learned that there is a difference between Evangelistic and Revival meetings. One focuses on bringing the pre-saved to Christ and the other deals with the heart condition of the saved. The latter confirmed that as I have been called to step up to the plate (spiritually speaking), desiring to go ever deeper in my walk with Him, God has let me know that there is some business that He and I have to tend to.
The first meeting I attended was actually our Sunday morning service, and as I sat there listening, Ralph began his message. The more he spoke, the more he began to point out the way that the church (corporately and individually) was out of order. Every element that he mentioned I thought, “Boy, I sure hope that so-and-so heard that and I sure hope our youth pastor heard that”…and on and on. Finally, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Kimberly, this is not about them; this is about you!” I suddenly felt quite squashed, or maybe deflated is a better word! That Sunday morning, after Ralph concluded his talk, he was led to call whoever felt prompted to come up front for a time of repentance and prayer. It didn’t take long for me to know that I needed to be up there kneeling at the altar confessing my sins. It was a time of speaking out our sins (not hiding it in silence so that no one would hear), as we were in this mode of repentance. I am reminded that this confession is like our baptism, being administered in public should serve to hold us accountable.
The following nights were sure interesting and I each night I would think to myself, here is an older gentleman, small in stature with lots of white hair and a fiery twinkle in his eye (must be the Italian heritage), using his laptop and some of the original Power Point graphics (dare I say out-dated!) and, let’s face it, one would think that they might have stepped back in time just a bit. But, when the Holy Spirit begins to do His work in a heart, suddenly the seemingly outdated presentation no longer matters. I believe that if Ralph had continued to hold these meetings for many more days (they have held meetings for two and three weeks long!), I would have become completely deflated. Hey, maybe that is the idea! After all, is that not what John 3:30 is all about? “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
My goal is not to squelch what the Lord has begun in this refining process! Going ‘round and ‘round the mountain has grown so old. Every glimpse of Christ-likeness reminds me that although difficult, the daily surrendering of Kimberly leads to more of Christ in me, and increases my effectiveness for the Lord, to Him be all the glory.
