BLeach

The 1876 Revival in Philadelphia

In 1876, Philadelphia hosted the Centennial Exposition to commemorate the first 100 years of the United States of America. One million people converged on the city--a breathtaking number at that time of the development of our country.

That same year, DL Moody came to Philly to hold nine weeks of revival services. An atmosphere of prayer and worship covered the city. 8,000 people attended a morning prayer meeting to kick off the crusade. And by the end of the nine weeks, 900,000 people had attended the evening services at the old Pennsylvania Railroad depot at the corner of Market and 13th streets.

I dream of a day when the churches of Philadelphia will unite again, and a spirit of prayer and worship will so explode in the city again that its effects are even more transformative and enduring!

Our Weekend in Philadelphia

Leah and I got home last night from a packed weekend in Philly. Here are a few random reflections from a busy three days.

• It was an adventurous drive to Philly on Friday morning. We hit bad weather through the mountains on the turnpike, and then had to detour off the turnpike for over an hour because of an accident involving 16 semis!
• We stopped at the PennDel District Office on the way to meet some of the AG leaders in Pennsylvania. Great guys--and they're excited about what God has called us to do in Philly!
• We stopped in Wayne, PA, just north of Philly, to meet a pastor. Next to the coffee shop was a great ice cream store called Gumdrops and Sprinkles. Leah felt God's Presence there. It's going to be a fun place to take Gabby for daddy-daughter dates.
• Friday night we had dinner in the home of a pastor and his wife just outside of the city. We laughed a lot. Felt good to make some new friends and allies in Philadelphia.
• It was late Friday night by the time we got downtown. I dropped Leah and Nick off at the house where we stayed and spent almost 30 minutes trying to park!
• I ended up parking next to the park where they shot the opening for Fresh Prince of Bel Aire!
• It was good to have Nick Poole with us Friday and Saturday. Nick is the MCM church planting director at Allison Park Church. He's an incredible asset as we prepare to plant in Philly.
• We started exploring the city first thing Saturday morning. We started in Northeast Philly, and then drove south through Kensington, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, and South Philly. 
• Found a great little coffee shop in Fishtown. They have a garden in the back that will be great to sit and study in once all the snow finally melts!
• Grabbed huge Cheesesteaks for lunch at Mama's, and spent the rest of the day feeling the effects. Leah vowed to never eat one again, which I pointed out will probably be a difficult promise to keep!
• We had a great conversation with our waitress that gave me another glimpse into the mindset of thousands of young adults in Philly who are far from God.
• After lunch we spent some time in Northwest Philly exploring Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls, and Germantown.
• It really is amazing how unique and different each neighborhood is. Still seeking God about where to live and focus.
• Saturday night we had dinner with a friend of mine from College, and her roommate at their house in Fairmount. They really love the city and taught us a ton!
• On Sunday morning we worshipped at Highway Tabernacle in Center City. Highway has an incredible history of ministry in the city, and their pastor, Otto Wegner, has really mentored us as we prepare to move and start the church.
• After the service we met an incredible young couple who are considering moving to Philly with us to be a part of our leadership team. We took them to Jones, our favorite downtown restaurant, and then to check out the Liberty Bell.
• We got home last night, just in time for the closing ceremonies. Finished the weekend with human leaves, giant inflatable beavers, and way too many mounties. Canada sure is an interesting place.

We'll be back in Philadelphia in two weeks. Today I'm full of faith and anticipation, excited for God to continue to bring this dream together!

Revolutionary Rabble

 

Preparing to move to Philly has inspired me to read more about the American Revolution and Continental Congress.  I'm finding a lot of parallels, and inspiration, for what God is calling our church planting team to accomplish in the place where freedom was born.

I'll continuing blogging about some of the stories, but one initial observation really stands out.  The revolutionaries who met in Philadelphia and led the Patriots were an unlikely group.

They were young.

• George Washington was 43
• John Hancock was 39
• John Adams was 40
• Thomas Jefferson was 32
• Nathaniel Greene was 33

They were rough.  In some of his private communications, Washington described the Continental Army as the "raw materials" for a real army.

They had few resources.  When Washington was appointed by the Continental Congress to lead the army, and found out how much gunpowder was available to his troops, he didn't speak a word for 30 minutes!

They were prone to self doubt.  Reflecting on his colleagues at Philadelphia, John Adams wrote in his diary, "I muse, I mope, I ruminate. We have not men fit for the times. We are deficient in genius, education, in travel, fortune--in everything. I feel unutterable anxiety."

Reminds me of another young, rough, under-resourced group of 12 disciples charged with the task of carrying the gospel message to the "ends of the earth."

What our founders did have however, was unwavering commitment to what they called, "the great cause."  They were courageous men who seized an opportunity.

In a few months another group of young leaders will make their way to Philadelphia. I won't presume to compare us with Washington and his men. But I do believe deeply in our even "greater cause." And I dream that God will enable us to set in motion a movement that will one day set thousands of people free.