Since August 1996, a local Assembly of God Church (44th Street Assembly of God, Wyoming, MI) has had a Friday night "revival". Even though they call it a "revival", it was well planned for 6 months plus at least one trip to Brownsville. Not your typical spontaneous outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Hearing about this great outpouring, I visited the "revival" a couple of times. It brought up many questions about the Biblical basis so I did some research. I read Counterfeit revival, Christianity in Chaos, Paw Creek Ministries' information (and watched their videos) and internet resources. I even talked to the Family Life Minister at 44th Street Assembly of God. All pointed to Brownsville in style, music, name "River of Life" and manifestations even though 44th Street Assembly of God staff tries to distant themselves from Brownsville.

Our pastor intern (just recently retitled evangelist), who was never grounded in the Word, was the first one of our church to experience this "revival". He introduced the pastor and board members to the "revival". Our pastor commented (later) that his ministry was going nowhere and he was very depressed to the point of quitting. Once at the "River", his life changed radically. Now our pastor has close ties with 44th Street Assembly of God and was featured last month in their magazine. In the article, he comments about not wanting to be a loser anymore. In fact he has even addressed the congregation at the "River" and he is a Christian Reformed pastor which is much different than Assembly of God.

Our church is going rather easy without a fight. I have been the only one that has voiced a protest against embracing this movement. Pastor and three board members have totally embraced this movement. The other two board members have said nothing in protest and have a "wait and see" attitude. In a month, we will replace two board members as their term will expire. Unfortunately one of the "wait and see" members will be replaced. I have been chosen to run and probably lose due to my vocal view. The pastor has even commented to the board that I am spiritually unstable and stubborn. Other candidates have fully embraced the "revival" and the pastor. We will lose 6-7 of 25 faithful attending families. Sadly we were never a healthy church. We have members living in open adultery and this movement has not done anything to change or discipline this sin. We are a grandchild of Brownsville.

These are the areas that I discern make this movement not of God.

1. The manifestations emphasized do not have a Biblical or orthodox Christian basis.

2. The manifestations emphasized are predominately found in occultic and non-Christian religions.

3. The emphasis is on the flesh and subjective experience.

4. This movement has close ties to unorthodox (even heretical) teachings.

5. The manifestations emphasized are warned against by great historical revivalists.

6. Many Christians, even within the Assemblies of God, discern that this not a movement of God.

7. Brownsville and other "revival" churches are demonstrating occultic practices like levitation and "mind clearing" which opens the person to spiritual manipulation.

Michael S. McMullen
mmcmullen@juno.com

1 John 4:1-3