Revival Stories
The 1915 Gazaland Revival
In the early part of the 20th century, Gazaland was an area that included parts of modern-day Zimbabwe and Mozambique, located in the southeastern region of Africa. Rees Howells was a native of Wales and former coal miner who had come to know Christ while working in America and then returned home to participate in the famous 1904 Welsh Revival. This man, who had once labored intensively in the dark corners of caves and mines, now found himself travailing in prayer during the Welsh Revival and seeing God magnificently break the darkness in people’s lives. His experience in this nation’s spiritual awakening powerfully shaped his faith and prayer life.
In December 1910, Rees married Elizabeth Hannah Jones. Together, they sensed God’s calling to share the Gospel as missionaries in southern Africa. As they prepared to go to the field, God gave them a child whom they loved dearly. They felt God told them to name this boy Samuel. Later, as they realized that God was directing them to a difficult rural area in Gazaland, it also became clear that they could not bring Samuel with them. The decision was agonizing for the young parents. They knew they had to trust God and obey Him. After a time of protracted prayer, God gave them this promise: “For everything you give up for Me, there is the hundredfold (return), and on this you can claim 10,000 souls in Africa.”
After carefully placing young Samuel in the care of loving relatives, Rees and Elizabeth chose to follow God’s leading into Africa. They arrived in Rusitu, Gazaland, in the summer of 1915. They anticipated a few years of language learning and cultural adaptation, as was customary for most missionaries. However, it turns out that the existing missionaries at the Rusitu station had been praying earnestly that God would bring revival soon. Upon hearing about Rees and Elizabeth’s ministry in the Welsh Revival, they asked them to forego the usual training and instead to teach and preach about revival. Within 6 weeks, the Spirit started to stir something in the hearts of the believers there. They sang songs about revival, and the presence of God lingered with those present. On one Thursday evening, several of the Christian leaders were on their knees in anguished prayer. Suddenly Rees felt the Spirit tell him in confirmation that indeed revival was coming! The next few days saw people’s hearts afire with anticipation of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring. Then, on Sunday October 10th, which happened to be Rees’ birthday, Rees preached the Word of God, and it seemed like the Spirit began to gently and resolutely move in that place. It was in the evening, though, when a Christian girl named Kufase - who had been fasting for 3 days - started to pray. She broke down crying. Soon, everyone was on their faces calling out to God. In that moment, it was like Heaven opened up fully, and the blessing of God rained down upon them. The power of God was unprecedented in that place, like lightning and thunder it descended upon them. For six days, it continued. Tears of repentance, confessions of sins, compelling stories of God’s power to transform. Every home soon was immersed in unceasing prayer.
The revival meetings would continue at Rusitu for another 15 months, resulting in hundreds putting their trust in Christ. Rees continued to pray that this revival to spread even further. Soon, another mission station to the north ignited with revival as Rees shared what God was doing. As the Howells faithfully shared the story and carried forward the revival fire, all the stations in Africa from down south in Cape Town all the way up to Nyasaland experienced the Holy Spirit’s outpouring. By the time they returned home in 1920 for furlough, the Howells had crossed over 11,000 miles and spoken at 26 stations and seen over 10,000 Africans surrender afresh to the Lordship of Jesus in their lives. God had kept His promise and more!
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:
- When is a time you remember God moving in you and through you to powerfully bless those around you? What do you remember most clearly about God? What was your specific role in all this?
- Have you ever had to surrender to God something you held dearly? What was it like? How did God respond?
- When have you sensed God make a promise to you? How do you see Him working to keep His promise in your life? Where do you think revival fits into the story God is writing in your life?