Thread: Question about Brownsville Revival

I've always wondered.... Why did the Brownsville Revival fall apart?

From recalling the story, the A/G leadership at the higher level wanted bro Kilpatrick to bring the “imported” (my term) leadership into being A/G credentials. Dr Brown refused saying God had not made it clear to him he should have to do so. There was a split in the church at the administrative level that couldnt be recovered from. @Fuego may add some here being he was there. When the crowds no longer lined up early for evening services circa 2000-2001, I wept over the end of a classic American awakening. That hurt.

Revivals never last indefinitely. In this information age, large revivals have a tendency to go viral meaning that "everyone" flocks to them to at least get an idea of what is going on, many of them going there merely as tourists. In time the novelty factor wears off and the numbers are bound to come down. Not necessarily to "normal" levels though and it seems that Brownesville fell competely apart as a local phenomenon so why that happened is an interesting question.

Originally Posted by Colonel

Revivals never last indefinitely. In this information age, large revivals have a tendency to go viral meaning that "everyone" flocks to them to at least get an idea of what is going on, many of them going there merely as tourists. In time the novelty factor wears off and the numbers are bound to come down. Not necessarily to "normal" levels though and it seems that Brownesville fell competely apart as a local phenomenon so why that happened is an interesting question.

I was close to the revival. I attended there in ‘97 after having been to a conference where Pastor Kilpatrick spoke to us A/G and PCoG pastors in ‘96 a year after it begun. As a visitor and partaker of the revival I stood in line from 5am to 6:30pm to be sure of a seat in their sanctuary. There has not been anything close to it since in size, scope and more importantly, anointing. Lives were dramatically changed. The reason why it “fell apart” I gave above. It fell apart from the inside, the Dove lifted and crowds began to dwell as a result.

I was part of a chat room in those days. The publishing family (Destiny Image) of Don Nori and son Jon began the Revival Cafe where if you couldnt attend, you chatted. The passion for Jesus was intense. I made several friends, one of which I still have on facebook. I followed what happened very closely. The administration requirements forced on Doc Brown an and Dick Reuben had a wedge driven into the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry.

Originally Posted by FireBrand

From recalling the story, the A/G leadership at the higher level wanted bro Kilpatrick to bring the “imported” (my term) leadership into being A/G credentials. Dr Brown refused saying God had not made it clear to him he should have to do so. There was a split in the church at the administrative level that couldnt be recovered from. @Fuego may add some here being he was there. When the crowds no longer lined up early for evening services circa 2000-2001, I wept over the end of a classic American awakening. That hurt.

Pretty much it. That's why the split happened. Half the student body of BRSM went with Dr Brown and staff and the other half stayed.

Originally Posted by Colonel

Revivals never last indefinitely. In this information age, large revivals have a tendency to go viral meaning that "everyone" flocks to them to at least get an idea of what is going on, many of them going there merely as tourists. In time the novelty factor wears off and the numbers are bound to come down. Not necessarily to "normal" levels though and it seems that Brownesville fell competely apart as a local phenomenon so why that happened is an interesting question.

You have to remember the revival was pre-social media. So it spread word of mouth basically. That's probably why it lasted as long as it did.

When I visited, I remember they had started construction on a new sanctuary. I’ve wondered what became of it all since the church also split and much of the membership left.

Originally Posted by fuego

You have to remember the revival was pre-social media. So it spread word of mouth basically. That's probably why it lasted as long as it did.

That makes sense. My impression of the 2008 Lakeland revival was that it was very much a viral thing, "everyone" ended up going there because it was "the thing". Also, ordinary people travelling across the entire United States has probably become much more common during the last 20 years. There is definitely such a thing as "too much attention" by now.

Revivals are hunger driven and perpetuated. When hunger for God wanes and things of this world again become a fascination...revival is done and people return to regular life. Some of us are continually wanting more of God and have had our taste for regular church, wrecked. When the Glory realm hit me while I sat listening to brother Kilpatrick in ‘96 I couldnt return to normal life. That was like getting born-again again.

The Lakeland Outporing wasnt negatively affected by social media. Todd Bentley got into immorality. That wrecked it.