“Do not despise these small beginnings…” — Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)
In 1906, in a humble home on Bonnie Brae Street in Los Angeles,
something extraordinary began. A small group of believers, hungry for more of
God, gathered in prayer and were unexpectedly filled with the Holy Spirit,
speaking in tongues and worshipping with power.
This was the beginning of what would become the Azusa Street Revival—a
historic outpouring of the Spirit that birthed the modern Pentecostal
movement, reshaped global Christianity, and proved that God uses the
overlooked to accomplish the unimaginable.
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What Was the Azusa
Street Revival?
The Azusa Street Revival was a Holy Spirit-led revival that
took place in Los Angeles, California, from 1906 to around 1915,
centered at 312 Azusa Street in a former livery stable converted into a
mission.
The revival was marked by:
- Speaking in tongues (glossolalia)
- Prophecy and visions
- Miraculous healings
- Intense, joyful worship
- Racial and gender inclusion
- A hunger for holiness and
intimacy with God
At its core, Azusa Street was not a conference or campaign—it was a
prayer meeting that never ended.
Who Was William J.
Seymour?
The leader of the revival was William J. Seymour, a Black
holiness preacher from Louisiana. Born to formerly enslaved parents,
Seymour endured racism and rejection but carried a burning hunger for
Pentecost.
He studied under Charles Parham, who taught the doctrine of Spirit
baptism evidenced by speaking in tongues—but due to segregation laws,
Seymour had to sit outside the classroom. Yet he received the
revelation, and after being invited to Los Angeles in 1906, he preached a
message that stirred the heavens.
How It Started: The
Bonnie Brae House
Seymour began preaching in a small house on Bonnie Brae Street,
and on April 9, 1906, believers began speaking in tongues. Crowds swelled, the
porch collapsed under the weight, and the group moved to the now-famous Azusa
Street warehouse, where revival meetings would continue three times a
day, seven days a week—for years.
What Made Azusa So
Powerful?
1. No Celebrity, Only Jesus
There was no stage, no big names, no lights—just raw worship and
trembling hearts. Seymour often hid his head in a milk crate while praying,
desiring the Holy Spirit to be the true leader.
2. Racial and Gender Unity
Black and white, men and women, poor and rich all worshipped together—in
1906, when Jim Crow segregation was law. Azusa was a prophetic model of
the Church unified in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
3. Global Fire
Missionaries and ministers came from around the world—from Africa,
India, Europe, Latin America—and took the fire of Pentecost back to their
nations.
Global Impact of
the Azusa Street Revival
The Azusa Street Revival is considered the birthplace of modern
Pentecostalism, which now has over 650 million adherents worldwide.
It directly or indirectly led to the formation of:
- Assemblies of God
- Church of God in Christ (COGIC)
- Foursquare Gospel Church
- Pentecostal Holiness Church
- Independent Pentecostal and
Charismatic movements
- Later, the Charismatic Renewal
in Catholic and mainline Protestant churches
FAQs
Was the Azusa Street Revival biblical?
Yes. Its focus on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts (1
Corinthians 12–14), and multiethnic unity aligns with the New Testament.
Why did the Azusa Street Revival end?
While the revival never officially “ended,” it declined by 1915 due to
internal divisions, doctrinal disputes, and racism. Yet its legacy lives on in
the global Pentecostal/Charismatic movement.
Did Azusa have miracles?
Yes. Eyewitnesses reported healings, deliverance, speaking in tongues,
and even restored sight and hearing. These signs attracted seekers and
skeptics alike.
Bible Verses That
Echo Azusa’s Message
- Acts 2:17 – “I will pour out My Spirit on
all flesh…”
- Joel 2:28–29 – A prophetic outpouring across
gender and age
- 1 Corinthians 12 – Gifts of the Spirit
- Galatians 3:28 – Unity in Christ regardless of
race or status
Legacy of Fire
The Azusa Street Revival proves that God is not limited by buildings,
backgrounds, or borders. He responds to hunger, humility, and holiness.
Today’s global Pentecostal and Charismatic churches—many of which were
birthed from the Azusa fire—continue to carry the message:
Jesus is still baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire.
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