Revivalist (person)

A revivalist or evangelist is a person who holds or presides over religious revivals. Revival services are an integral part of the Conservative Anabaptist, Free Will Baptist and Methodist traditions, among other branches of Christianity.^[1] Revivals are defined as "a period of heightened spiritual activity in a section of the church, brought about by a renewing and empowering work of the Holy Spirit, bringing a new sense of the presence of God, especially in his holiness, resulting in a deeper awareness of sin in the lives of believers, followed by new joy as sin is confessed and forgiven."^[2] Common jargon for these meetings or series of meetings can include "having a revival meeting" or "to hold a revival." The meetings and gatherings can last for days, several weeks, or for many years on rare occasions.

In the Conservative Anabaptist tradition, revivals are aimed at preaching the New Birth and calling backsliders to repentance. Methodist revivalists preach two works of grace, the (1) New Birth and (2) entire sanctification, along with encouraging backsliders to return to God.^[3]

A revivalist can also include someone that either presides over, or actively pursues, a religious re-awakening or restoration to spiritual ideas, orthodoxy, religious or personal experiences, and/or communal pursuit of divine occurrences. A secondary definition for revivalist is a person who revives customs, institutions, or ideas.^[4]

^ "History of Royse City Methodist Church". Royse City Methodist Church. Retrieved 17 July 2024. The history of Royse City Methodist dates back to September 1, 1884, when a revival meeting was held by the Miller brothers, one of which was a Baptist.
^ Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Baker Academic
^ Atkin, Pippa (2003). Flexi-RE Evaluation. Nelson Thornes. p. 8. ISBN 9780748763542. Their sermons done, revivalists like Caughey and Marsden, following time-honoured Methodist procedure, would urge people to the communion rail - called also the mourners' bench, a kind of Protestant confessional - in public acceptance of Christ.
^ "the definition of revivalist". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 21 February 2019.

[1] "History of Royse City Methodist Church". Royse City Methodist Church. Retrieved 17 July 2024. The history of Royse City Methodist dates back to September 1, 1884, when a revival meeting was held by the Miller brothers, one of which was a Baptist.

[auto-2] Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Baker Academic

[Atkin2003-3] Atkin, Pippa (2003). Flexi-RE Evaluation. Nelson Thornes. p. 8. ISBN 9780748763542. Their sermons done, revivalists like Caughey and Marsden, following time-honoured Methodist procedure, would urge people to the communion rail - called also the mourners' bench, a kind of Protestant confessional - in public acceptance of Christ.

[4] "the definition of revivalist". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 21 February 2019.

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