Revival series kindles spiritual renewal at Andrews University and beyond
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES
Hundreds gathered for the in-person MORE+ revival at Andrews University’s Pioneer Memorial Church, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, engaging in prayer walks, testimonies, and worship. The weeklong experience culminated in deep spiritual commitments, including a powerful student baptism.
The journey for MORE+ began in March 2024 when Esther Knott, associate ministerial director for the North American Division, attended a Back to the Altar retreat. Back to the Altar is an initiative spearheaded by Dwain Esmond, an associate director of the Ellen G. White Estate, and now being conveyed worldwide by the General Conference Ministerial Association.
At this retreat Knott was especially blessed by fresh concepts of revival and discipleship from Don MacLafferty, president of In Discipleship Ministries and a volunteer for the General Conference Back to the Altar initiative. After weeks of extensive travel and personal spiritual struggles, Knott found herself yearning for more of God. She and her husband, Ron Knott, director of the Andrews University Press, committed to deepening their spiritual walk and making changes in their worship habits, media consumption, and time spent on electronic devices.
Taking the Back to the Altar challenge to heart, the Knotts shared the experience with Shane Anderson, pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church, and that church’s co-head elders. This initiative grew into a movement, leading small groups through the revival and discipleship experience. By September and October, 30 Pioneer Memorial Church elders had participated, laying the groundwork for a broader churchwide revival. Under MacLafferty’s leadership, students, faculty, church members, and visitors were brought together in an intergenerational experience of prayer, testimony, and worship.
From daily prayer walks at 7:30 A.M. to transformative evening meetings, attendees immersed themselves in a movement of faith that emphasized deep surrender to Christ. The week included interactive Scripture study, small group discussions, and a special service at Andrews Academy, where students were challenged to share their faith within 24 hours. The experience culminated in the baptism of a senior who felt God’s call in a powerful way, reinforcing the revival’s lasting impact on the next generation. MORE+ was more than a conference—it was a spiritual awakening, urging all who attended to pursue more of Jesus in their daily lives.
The foundation for the MORE+ revival was laid long before the first meeting began. Dedicated intercessors covered the Andrews campus with prayer for months, paving the way for God’s movement among students, faculty, and community members. MacLafferty emphasized the critical nature of this preparation, stating, “Without inviting God to move powerfully eight months before, this would have been simply an interesting, interactive meeting but with no power.”
A team of 131 prayer partners committed to praying for 10 Pioneer families each day throughout February and March. Two days before the revival, MacLafferty invited these prayer partners to an afternoon meeting. Expecting around 20 attendees, Knott was overwhelmed when 70 people showed up, signaling an unprecedented hunger for revival.
It was clear from the opening night that the Holy Spirit was at work. Attendance surged as the week progressed, with more than 500 people attending nightly—twice surpassing 600. Each evening was filled with worship, in-depth Scripture engagement, and prayer sessions. Attendees, young and old, were not just spectators but active participants in a journey of revival.
Challenges and triumphs in planning the revival
Conflicts with university events became apparent as the revival approached. Recognizing the significance of the movement, John Wesley Taylor V, president of Andrews University, adjusted the university’s schedule to accommodate the revival. His willingness to prioritize spiritual renewal underscored the deep need for revival across the campus and community.
Looking back, Knott sees God’s providence at work. “When I was a student at Toronto Junior Academy in the early seventies, there was a revival at Andrews University, and students from Andrews came to my school to share their testimonies about Jesus. That experience had a profound impact on my young life and laid the foundation for my answering God’s call to pastoral ministry in 1980. For decades Jesus has been waiting for us to cry out to Him so He can answer our prayer to ‘do it again.’ We have a people who are hungry and thirsty for more.” [Stanton Witherspoon, freelance journalist, Lake Union Herald]
Prophecy Odyssey: Divine keys for city evangelism
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
Prophecy Odyssey began with a question: “If you were going to broadcast an evangelistic series to the world, where would you host it?” Doug Batchelor, president of Amazing Facts International, asked Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Wilson never hesitated: “New York City. I have a great burden for the cities of the world.”
Neither man had the resources needed, but they recognized God’s call and decided to go forward by faith. They were guided and encouraged by Ellen White’s insistence that the world’s cities must hear the three angels’ messages. She said the most about New York, stating that the work done there should be a “symbol of the work the Lord desires to see done in the world.”
Wilson, who worked in New York City as a young pastor and launched the Mission to the Cities initiative there, said, “Cities are not easy places to work, but it is a great blessing to share Christ with the people of the city. I am delighted that Amazing Facts accepted the burden for New York City.”
Prophecy Odyssey, a fifteen-part Bible prophecy seminar, was held in downtown New York in collaboration with the Greater New York Conference (GNYC) and General Conference from September 20 to October 5, 2024.
“We started praying. A lot!” Batchelor said. “The Lord opened the door for us to return to the Manhattan Center’s largest venue (instead of the smaller one where I preached Millennium of Prophecy twenty-five years ago).” Batchelor’s engaging presentations, illustrated by virtual reality graphics, brought the truths of Daniel and Revelation to life for all who attended.
“I haven’t missed a day,” said Ronald Benjamin, who grew up as a Seventh-day Adventist and recently returned to the faith. “Pastor Doug explains things clearly. It’s been eye-opening and reinforced what I already knew, but it’s helped me put more emphasis on it. I wish this could happen more regularly. People are hungry for it.”
Over 800 attendees gathered at the Manhattan Center on weekdays. Weekends brought 1,400 church members and their guests. Over 500 New Yorkers joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church through baptism or profession of faith, and two churches, Chinese and Spanish, have been planted.
“We’re seeing results in parts of the city where we’ve never had growth before,” said Alanzo Smith, president of the Greater New York Conference. But in addition to bringing Bible truth to the people of New York, Prophecy Odyssey was broadcast live in English and Spanish on 3ABN, AFTV, and Hope Channel International, touching an international audience of potential millions. The meetings were also posted on Facebook and YouTube, amassing over 48 million views worldwide.
For the first time, Amazing Facts utilized advanced artificial intelligence to translate the series into 17 of the world’s most common languages, providing a “day of Pentecost” experience for viewers around the globe.
Thousands of people expressed their appreciation as they watched online. One viewer wrote: “I was suicidal as this series started. Watching has completely turned things around for me and has given me hope and something to look forward to and believe in. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
Just the Beginning
Prophecy Odyssey was designed to make it easy for churches to use in local evangelism efforts. The Prophecy Odyssey recordings are available free of charge to any church or group that wants to host the 15-part evangelistic series for their community. The up-to-date messages and Bible lessons make it a perfect option for churches wanting to reach out in today’s world. All meetings are available in 18 languages (with more coming). Companion Bible studies are available in English, Spanish, and many other languages.
Amazing Facts also offers a set of curated marketing and planning resources to help churches conduct successful evangelistic outreaches with Prophecy Odyssey. “We are excited to be able to offer these free resources to churches as an evangelistic tool,” says Teri Fode, Amazing Facts marketing director.
“I am convinced that what we have seen so far is just the beginning of all God is going to do through these meetings,” Batchelor said. “People will watch them for years to come online, and churches can use them for local evangelism. There will continue to be a great harvest from Prophecy Odyssey.”
“I pray that every church member will have a burden for the people of the cities,” Elder Wilson states. “Jesus is coming soon!” [Shenalyn Page, Amazing Facts International]
John Bradshaw celebrates the North American Division 2025 emphasis on evangelism
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES
Abraham Jules, president of the Atlantic Union Conference, welcomed attendees to the 2025 SEEDS Festival of the Laity on March 29 and introduced guest speaker John Bradshaw, president of It Is Written.
“The Bible says we are in a war, and . . . if this doesn’t sober you up, nothing will,” said Bradshaw. He then called every church member to recommit to the cause of sharing the gospel and to join efforts to reach others for Jesus.
“There is a great work for all of us to be doing,” Bradshaw emphasized. He then shared how happy he is about the North American Division’s Pentecost 2025 initiative. He reported that so far, 5,200 local churches are conducting outreach and evangelism activities, well above the goal of 3,000. “[There are] churches and groups already baptizing people,” he said. “And the church is putting millions into this initiative. [People] are not just talking about it; they are doing it and anticipating great things are going to take place.”
A presentation by pastor and author Walton Rose sought to help understand the modern complexities of sharing the gospel in a society that “increasingly functions without reference to God.”
“How can the church communicate God’s message to younger generations, which view organized religion differently, as they seek authenticity over tradition?” Rose asked.
How do we reach others in an environment in which “religious apathy and active skepticism are rising” and in which “many view faith claims with suspicion rather than interest”? he wondered.
Rose called Adventist Church members to “reset evangelism,” to learn to share “good news, not fake news,” with this generation. Among several tips, one way of doing it, he explained, is to initially focus on the first angel’s message of Revelation 14, which calls us to share the everlasting gospel by helping people to learn how to worship God and “give him glory” (v. 7, NIV).
“I think we have taken for granted the good news of the first angel’s message,” Rose said. “But congregations who have learned to share the everlasting gospel are growing by leaps and bounds.”
In that sense, “Jesus Christ must become the center of our sharing, no matter the specific doctrine we are discussing,” he emphasized.
Rose quoted Jesus’ promise in John 12:32: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (KJV).
Bradshaw reminded festival attendees that the Adventist Church “is about the power of those in the pews.”
Bradshaw stated, “If we can get out of the pews and into the mission field, [mission] work will blow up, and we will be hastening the return of Jesus Christ!”
He concluded, “The good thing about Pentecost 2025—or not—is that God can use and will use anyone, no matter your age, your race, your educational background, your talent or lack thereof. God can use every one of us to make a significant difference for the kingdom of heaven.” [Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
