Pentecost Sunday 2022: Reflections on the Azusa Street Revival and Gospel Unity
by George Moore
“...making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope at your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all…”
Ephesians 4:3-6 (CSB)
One of the greatest movements of modern-day church history is the Azusa Street Revival. Started by William Seymour in Los Angeles in 1906, the Azusa Revival ushered in a new era for the 20th century church. What began as a series of prayer meetings for members and visitors quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. The Azusa Revival sparked a Pentecoastal and Charismatic movement worldwide. According to Pew Research, Pentecostals and Charismatics make up roughly 27% of all Christians and hundreds of denominations,[1] including the Church of God in Christ (COGIC).[2] [3]
Seymour’s ministry was heavily influenced by his upbringing in the segregated South. Born and raised in Louisiana during the Reconstruction era, Seymour was surrounded by violence and terror inflicted by the White citizens in the St. Mary’s parish. This parish was known for its violence and oppression against blacks, led by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and White Knights of the White Camellia.[4] Sadly, some of the local churches also perpetuated bigotry and racism. Describing their view of Black Americans as inferior and untamed, one Catholic publication wrote, “There is but one way now to manage the Negro. He is, as a class, amenable [susceptible] to neither reason nor gratitude. He must be starved into the common perceptions of decency.”[5]
Following the death of his father, Seymour moved to Memphis [6] and later to Indianapolis. While in Indianapolis, Seymour confessed faith in Christ at an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church, because he was drawn to the teachings of John Wesley.[7] It was also during this time that Seymour’s desire for interracial fellowship began to grow.[8]
After leaving the Methodist Church, Seymour spent time being mentored by Charles Parham, founder of the Apostolic Faith Movement [9]. Although Parham was a man who had discriminatory views towards African-Americans, that didn’t deter Seymour from his calling. After a few weeks under Parham,[10] Seymour accepted the call to come help pastor a small holiness church in California.[11] His teachings on speaking in tongues, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and encountering the power of God became very popular and began to spread across the region. It was that year, 1906, the Azusa Revival came to pass.
Fittingly, as the nation experienced racial tension in the aftermath of the Civil War, Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow South, and the Great Migration, the world also saw black and white Christians come together in worship of the risen Savior at Azusa. Seymour had this to say about his meetings, “The people are all melted together…made one lump, one bread, all one body in Christ. There is no Jew or Gentile, bond or free, in the Azusa Street Mission…He [God] is no respecter of persons or places.”[12] In regard to the rampant racism that existed even in the church, Seymour encourage the body of Christ to break free from the fetters of divisiveness and racial disharmony, to allow the Holy Spirit to bring it into true Christian fellowship. Seymour was convinced that the work of the Holy Spirit was to bring together all races and nations into one universal family through divine love[13] and not to simply unable them to speak in tongues as many white Pentecostals believed.
Sadly, Seymour’s vision for multiracial unity in worship began to wane. Starting with Parham rejecting the nature of Seymour’s gatherings and later with other congregations splintering.[14] Despite these outcomes, Seymour was faithful to his call and millions have been impacted because of it. So as we remember Pentecost Sunday 2022, let us acknowledge what Seymour sought to do by the power of God Spirit. May we mirror his efforts to dismantle the sin of individual & systemic racism, hate, and prejudice.
Furthermore, as we look ahead to Juneteenth and celebrate the day when the last slaves received word of their freedom, let us look to the one who’s Word frees our hearts from sin and who compels us to be a “community of the just.”[15] Azusa teaches us that by the power of God’s Spirit, the church can still [16]:
Minister effectively via outreach to the marginalized (Matt. 25:35-46)
Cast off racial tension and strife (Ephesians 2:14-22)
Care for the immigrant and foreigner (Exodus 22:21, 23:9; Lev. 19:34, Deut. 10:19; 27:19)
In closing, I want to speak to the fact that Pentecostalism/Holiness/Apostolic churches in our culture are sometimes viewed as caricatures, especially by the media. Yet, I believe it was and still is so much more than that. History shows us that Azusa was a place, a movement, and a moment in time where in the midst of racial strife and social tension revival came. Lives were changed. Love was on display, and many witnessed what could truly happen if we let the Spirit lead and have its way in our hearts!
Be blessed family and may the Spirit continue to renew our hearts and minds during Pentecost 2022.
Notes:
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-movements-and-denominations/
Vinson Synan and Charles R. Fox, Jr. (William J. Seymour: Pioneer of the Azusa Street Revival. Florida: Alachua, Bridge Logos, 2012) pg. 48.
Larry Martin. (The Life and Ministry of William J. Seymour and a history of the Azusa Street Revival. Florida: Pensacola, Christian Life Books, 2014), pg. 38.
See Martin, pg. 39.
Cecil M. Roebeck, Jr. (The Azusa St. Mission and Revival: The Birth of the Global Pentecostal Movement. Tennessee: Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2006), pg 25.
See Roebeck, pg. 28.
See Synan and Fox, pg. 30.
See Roebeck, pg. 4.
See Roebeck, pg. 4
See Synan and Fox, pg. 33-34.
See Synan and Fox, pg. 38-39.
Acts 10:44-48
https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-58/they-had-dream.html
Michael Gorman. (Becoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation, and Mission. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing, 2015), pg. 121.
See Roebeck, pg. 13.