What happens when God's plans are bigger than ours? Join us as we explore the extraordinary revival at Southeastern University with campus pastor Jonathan Rivera. He recounts how spiritual awakening unfolds in real time, the leadership challenges involved, and the practical logistics of stewarding a move of God. In this inspiring conversation, Rivera shares firsthand insights, emphasizing the importance of creating space for the Spirit to move, the role of prayer and logistics, and how leaders can respond to spiritual movements in their communities.

Five takeaways

1. Spontaneous spiritual awakening requires prayer and thoughtful responses.
2. If you didn’t start it, it’s not your job to keep it going.
3. Revival begins, and is sustained, though prayer.
4. Your culture, and what is most important to you, will determine your response. If your leadership is bought in 24/7, the response when the moment happens is automatic.
5. Water is spiritual. Get outside and get around a body of water.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

05:37 Jonathan Rivera

09:42 Finding Life and Peace in Nature

14:30 The Revival at Southeastern University

15:50 The Power of Confession and Repentance

20:14 Stewarding a Movement of God

21:52 Navigating Institutional Challenges

26:15 Creating Space for Spiritual Movement

29:12 The Theology of Logistics in Ministry

33:28 Preparing for the Unexpected in Ministry

36:22 Handling the Aftermath of Spiritual Awakening

44:10 The Movement of a Generation

49:38 Creating Space for the Holy Spirit

51:50 Sustaining Spiritual Movements

54:30 Cultivating a Culture of Prayer

59:00 The Correlation Between Repentance and Revival

59:40 Personal Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

1:02:40 Closing Discussion and Challenge

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Connect with Jonathan Rivera on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at jonathanarivera.com.

Connect with Jayson French on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at ciy.com/jayson-french. 

The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY at ciy.com. 

Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson.  

Keywords 

revival, Southeastern University, spiritual awakening, leadership, church revival, campus ministry, religious movement, faith, prayer, spiritual culture revival, Holy Spirit, campus ministry, prayer, spiritual awakening, leadership, church renewal, generation Z, spiritual movement, revival stories