Thirty years ago, an extraordinary event occurred that sparked a global spiritual awakening. On January 20th, 1994, Randy Clark was invited to speak at what became known as the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (TACF), marking the beginning of what is referred to as “The Toronto Blessing.” This wasn’t just any revival; it was a divine outpouring that ignited the hearts of thousands across the world, bringing about profound transformation and renewal. Mathew 22:37. Jesus said to him “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” This awakening reminded us that faith is a palpable, lived experience. It bridged gaps and healed wounds, offering a sense of belonging and shining a light on our divine purpose. The Father’s Blessing, as it came to be known, is a testament to the power of divine encounters, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s role in catalyzing deep, meaningful change.

Our own encounter with this revival in May 1995 left an indelible mark, changing the course of our lives. Our journey began in Kelowna, BC, at a conference called “Let the River Flow” led by John Wimber of the Vineyard Church. This experience opened our eyes to a side of faith we had never seen, where the book of Acts came alive with tangible manifestations of God’s power. There was laughter, unspeakable joy, peace beyond understanding, and healing that defied explanation.

Our skepticism was replaced with awe as we witnessed firsthand the transformative power of God’s presence. This revival, forged in the spirit of the Toronto Blessing, was not just a series of emotional expressions or miraculous signs; it was a deep and lasting renewal of faith that reshaped our understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work. Our subsequent trips to Kelowna and Toronto deepened our connection to the move of God, teaching us the value of being open to the Holy Spirit’s power. Just like the difference between reading a love letter and experiencing the embrace of your loved one, this revival brought us into an indescribably real nearness to God. This shift from theoretical knowledge to tangible experience underscored the importance of community in fostering revival and highlighted how God moves mightily when believers gather with expectant hearts.

The transformation we experienced led us to say “yes” to God in every aspect of our lives, significantly altering our family’s destiny. We carried a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit back home, ready to seek more of His transformation and share it with others. Diving into the history of revivals, such as the Azusa Street Revival and the Welsh Revival, we found parallels and lessons that underscored the continuous work of the Holy Spirit throughout history. These movements were significant milestones in church history, demonstrated God’s unending pursuit of drawing hearts back to Him. They served as powerful reminders that revival is not a relic of the past but a present and vibrant reality.

This understanding fueled our passion to encourage others not to dismiss fresh movements of the Holy Spirit, urging them to seek and discern for themselves. We learned that openness to God’s Spirit often requires stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing the diverse ways in which He moves across denominations and beyond our preconceptions. Our journey taught us that revival reshapes not only individual hearts but also families and communities across generations. It is a profound, life-altering experience that brings about a renewed sense of purpose and empowers believers to serve as beacons of hope in a world in desperate need. The legacy of the Toronto Blessing and our transformative experience at the Kelowna conference underscore the importance of being open to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Revival, we learned, is about allowing God to revive us again, to breathe new life into our faith, and to use us in ways we could never imagine. It’s about surrendering to Him wholeheartedly and witnessing His incredible power to transform not only our lives but also those around us. The story of revival is the story of God’s endless love and mercy flowing into the hearts of His people, igniting a passion to pursue Him more deeply and to share that love with the world. It’s a call to each of us to remain open and hungry for more of what God wants to do in and through us. This hunger leads us to places of deeper dependency on God’s grace and a greater understanding of our reliance on His Spirit.

As we navigated our journey, further invigorated by stories of historical revivals, we recognized that the essence of these movements was always about bringing people closer to the heart of God. Revival is not simply an event but a process—a continuous calling back to our first love, encouraging relentless pursuit of God’s presence, and living out the reality of His Kingdom here on Earth. The impact of the Kelowna conference and the ongoing influence of the Toronto Blessing in our lives became a compelling testimony to the fact that God’s desire is for His children to live in an awareness of His presence every day. This awareness transforms ordinary moments into opportunities for divine encounters, where the Holy Spirit can move powerfully, bringing healing, restoration, and renewal in seemingly mundane situations.

  This revelation propelled us to embrace a lifestyle of revival, understanding that it is not confined to church services or special conferences but is meant to be the daily reality of every believer. It’s about creating spaces in our hearts and communities where the Holy Spirit feels welcome to move freely, guiding us in truth, and empowering us to be agents of change in our world. The journey with the Holy Spirit is one of constant growth and surprises. As we continued to say “yes” to God, we found our lives enriched with a deeper sense of His love and purpose. We discovered that the power of revival lies in its ability to change hearts—one life at a time—creating a ripple effect that can transform families, communities, and even nations.

We learned that revival begins with personal surrender—a laying down of our agendas and trusting in God’s perfect plans for our lives. This surrender allows the Holy Spirit to work through us in ways we could never achieve on our own, revealing the beauty of God’s Kingdom and His desires for humanity.

As we share our story and the impact of revival in our lives, we hope to inspire others to seek their own encounters with God. We want to convey the message that revival is accessible to everyone, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. It’s not reserved for the spiritually elite, instead, it’s a promise of God’s continued presence and power in the lives of those who earnestly seek Him. This understanding led us to encourage others not to wait for revival to come to them but to actively pursue God’s presence and draw near to Him in their daily lives. In  this we emphasize the importance of personal devotion, worshiping Him through Spirit filled songs and hymns, and being transformed by His word and prayers as we stay in community with other believers as much as possible.  These practices, we found, are the fertile ground in which the seeds of revival can take root and flourish.

The legacy of the Toronto Blessing and our transformative experience in Kelowna made it clear to us that the choices we made to go and receive more infillings of the Holy Spirit led to our being used by God in ways that went far beyond anything we could have hoped or imagined. As we reflect on the journey that unfolded the message is clear. Our Father God never grows tired of pouring out His great love on His children and we pray that even now you will know He is waiting with open arms to receive you as His own and to fill you afresh with His precious Holy Spirit. As we are filled afresh, may we be used as His vessel to bring light in the darkness and healing to a broken and hurting world. May we always bring honor to Him as we go from glory to glory.

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