I went to Russia a while back to lead a worship conference. I wanted to experience some of the culture while I was there, so in a moment of daring or lapse of judgment, I agreed to a Russian banya, a searing hot sauna followed by a plunge into freezing cold water.
We drove in the Russian winter to a remote cabin with smoke billowing out of its chimney. I gasped for air as I entered the 150°F plus sauna. After wilting from the steamy heat for what seemed like forever, two towering Russian men walked in. They told me to lie face down and started to smack my bare back and legs with birch branches covered in leaves as if to punish and purify me in one excruciating moment.
After an eternity of this torture, they led me through a door to a deck over a small outdoor pool of ice water. They encouraged (pushed) me into the nearly-frozen pool. Just before hypothermia set in, they told me it was time to get back in the sauna for another round. “Fool me once.” Though I escaped after the first round of my Russian banya, I was surprised at how invigorated I felt. All three elements: the hot, the cold, and the natural oils and stimulation of the birch leaves, worked together to produce great benefits.
In the unholy trinity of the heat, cold, and birch of my banya adventure, I saw a glimpse of something deeper—a divine pattern. God and all creation show the power of three components working together. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Earth is sky, water, and land. We ourselves are spirit, soul, and body. Families are father, mother, and children. The Bible tells us the strength of threes, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Eccl 4:12b
In 2024, we started the year with our three-fold mission of Align, Agree, Advance. Throughout the year, we’ve aligned with God and each other, came into agreement with the Word and the Holy Spirit, and saw the kingdom advance in and through us.
Our vision for 2025 is three-fold as well: Revival, Restoration, Reformation. We’ll not only survive, we’ll come alive and thrive in twenty-five. The revival in us and throughout the world will lead to the restoration of what we have lost and position us to see the needed reformation in our world.
Revival - We are on the verge of the greatest revival in human history. Jesus told us that before the end times there will be an increase of wickedness, but “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” Matt 24:14.
Worldwide prayer, worship, evangelism, and the Internet are converging to bring the gospel to every people group. As our hearts are stirring for revival, God is stirring up revival in youth and young adults, on campuses, on sports teams, in families, and on social media throughout the world.
Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation. Psalm 85:6-7
Restoration - God doesn’t just bring us back to life, he restores us to wholeness and abundance. As we respond to revival, we’ll see our families, our health, our businesses, and our ministries spring forth into fruitful abundance.
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Hosea 6:2
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! Psalm 80:19
I will give you back your health again and heal your wounds… and restore your fortunes. Jeremiah 30:17-18
Reformation - As revival and restoration come through the Holy Spirit in miracles, transformation, and evangelism that change the hearts of men, we’ll see more and more changes to our culture and government.
We’re seeing revival and restoration already happen together as reflected in our recent election. The defeated Democrat party threw God out, but Donald Trump released a God Bless America Bible and declared, “America needs a Savior,” as he referred to Jesus. We’re seeing a reformation in society from the restoration of Judeo-Christian values and policies.
At the top of our government, J.D. Vance and RFK Jr. are openly declaring their faith. Scores of pundits, journalists, writers, actors, politicians, athletes, actors, musicians, and business people are declaring and living out biblical faith and values. This is leading to a reformation of society that is stirring in country after country. Dutch Sheets points out in Give Him 15 that:
Revival saves, heals, and transforms individuals (Mark 16:15-20); reformation saves, heals, and transforms cultures and nations (Matthew 28:18-20.)
Revival rebirths; reformation rebuilds.
In revival, Jesus is Savior; in reformation, He is King and Lord.
Revival fuels and steers reformation; reformation can and should be the long-term fruit of revival.
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