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I’ve been part of some great things all my life, from movements of God to incredible church growth in many parts of the world. And recently I’ve been a part of something that’s one of the most exciting things I’ve ever seen...the holiness summits.

The holiness summit phenomenon was started this year by a small committee who prayed and dreamed about propagating the holiness message. Along with our Board of General Superintendents’ approval, 13 holiness denominations agreed to join in these summits.

It started with two events: Holiness Summit East at Ohio Christian University in Circleville in April, and Holiness Summit West at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs in September.

The palpable presence of the Holy Spirit, and the attitude of submission and repentance among those who humbly gathered at the Holiness Summit West is fresh in all our minds. District Superintendent Dave Ralph shared what he witnessed:

As (general superintendent) Dr. Jim Diehl shared about a time when God led him to brokenness, people streamed to the altars. We all felt the presence of the Holy Spirit descend on the room. Believers crowded around the places of prayer and, after a time, one man shouted, “Thank you, God, it’s yours! It’s all yours, Lord!”

 

Another voice called out, “Victory by the organ!”

 

Many stood at their seats, hands raised heavenward as they sang, “How great is our God!”

 

Sounds of repentant and joyful weeping echoed around the sanctuary. As a silence settled across the room, no one wanted to leave. Quietly, some began singing, “All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust him, in his presence daily live. I surrender all!”

 

Another movement to the altars began; a father led his child. A voice cried out, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

 

One woman walked to the pulpit to testify to God’s work in her that day—an empowerment to surrender entirely to God, to stop carrying her burdens in her own power and instead give them to Jesus.

 

Dr. Harold Graves, president of Nazarene Bible College, stood next to a young boy and called out, “This is my friend Patrick! He came to Jesus tonight!”

Through the unhurried and emotional final evening, six waves of people came to the altar to be entirely sanctified. The presence of God was so real that everybody went home recharged, refired and refilled—ready to do something for God.

The summit format is simple: Speakers deliver a message of holiness; afterward, the group moves to a prayer format. Sometimes that’s been at the altar; sometimes it’s been a concert of prayer.

“There were no workshops, no bells and whistles, singing was minimized; there were just speakers talking about holiness,” shared Rev. Gene Grate, pastor of Colorado Springs First Church. “Remarkably, the only thing the speakers were asked to speak on was holiness, and yet one speaker built on another as if it had been planned. But it wasn’t planned—except by God.”

God has sparked this grassroots rally around holiness into multiplication. As each summit concludes, attendees are challenged to carry the fire home and spread it in their churches and communities through organizing additional holiness summits. These, in turn, should ignite more summits.

This isn’t just a USA thing. I was able to bring 25 of our international World Mission leaders to the Holiness Summit West, including all six regional directors. Everyone saw a model that they wanted to replicate, and the wonderful thing is everyone went home to their world area—where multiplication is the way of ministry—thinking how they can propagate and multiply these holiness summits around the world.

The fire is already spreading. Summits are being planned in Oklahoma City, Jackson, Miss., Atlanta, Georgia, Circleville, Ohio, and Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, IL. Summits are being considered in Dallas, Texas, and Kansas City. We’re anticipating news of additional summits being planned and will try to let everyone know at the Web site www.holiness-summit.org.

Dr. Graves and Rev. Grate co-hosted Holiness Summit West. Dr. Tom Hermiz, General Superintendent of the Churches of Christ in Christian Union, co-hosted the Holiness Summit East with Ohio Christian University President Mark Smith. Everyone was so pleased that they are thinking about holding holiness summits on these campuses again.

I think God is up to something really special in creating a renewal of the holiness movement of God. I’m praying that God will develop another Wesley-type revival through the Church of the Nazarene.

Louie E. Bustle
World Mission Director