‘‘Oh, God help us, men and women who love Thee, that we may catch a glimpse of the world, ripe unto harvest,” so pleaded one of the ministers who lifted his voice in prayer at a recent meeting of the Revival Prayer Fellow ship. This semi-annual revival conference is held at the Presbyterian Conference Grounds, Pacific Palisades under the leadership of the Rev. Armin Gesswein, Director. As early as 1940 a number of Christian pastors had gathered together to pray for revival. Regular Monday morning prayer meetings were held at what was then a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church on 18th and Georgia Streets in the heart of Los Angeles. Rev. Frank Sutherland, pastor, was the moderator of these meetings. The avowed purpose was to bring pastors of like mind into a closer relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ and to pray for revival in one another and in their churches. Today meetings are being held in other areas of the West. Under God, the movement is expanding eastward. The Revival Prayer Fellowship also conducts regular monthly meetings. Formerly they were held in the home of Dr. Roderick Morrison, Pasadena. More recently the number has enlarged and the meetings are being con ducted in various churches of greater Los Angeles, making it possible for pastors to share a closer fellowship. Twenty-two semi-annual prayer conferences have been held since the start in 1948. They are designed for pastors, although Christian leaders are also invited. “Men just felt the need of a moving of God’s Spirit in their lives,” so stated Dr. Herbert Richardson, chairman of the group, and pastor of the North Redondo Chapel, Redondo Beach, Calif. Our entire purpose is to gain a new glimpse of God’s program. We use three letters as our key: R. E. and M .” Pastor Richardson went on to explain, “The three letters emphasize revival, evangelism, and mis sions. As to what revival actually is the chairman of the group declared: “ I would say that it is the sovereign work of God; it is difficult to define.” At most of the Revival Prayer Fellowship semi-annual conferences, missionary offerings are taken. Since none of the men on the staff are salaried, the money is sent to specifically needy areas of the world. Other men serving on the board are the Rev. Arvid Carlson, First Covenant Church, Pasadena, vice-chairman; Mr. Claude Jenkins, Christ for Greater Los Angeles, secretary; and the Rev. Joseph Hemphill, pastor of the San Gabriel Union Church, treasurer. The real power-house and guidance for the fellowship comes from the Rev. Armin Gesswein, formerly a Luth eran pastor in Long Island. It was while he was in Norway in 1937-1938 that he received a new and wider call by God’s Spirit in the great “Norway Revival.” This new revival vision and determination he brought back to the United States. With him, too, he brought his wife whom he had met in Norway. From that time his ministry has been that of an evangelist to churches of Pictures at the left show the Rev. Mr. Gesswein, director, and Dr. Herbert Richardson, chairman of the Revival Prayer Fellow ship, chatting for a few moments outside the Palisades' audi torium. Below, left, Mr. and Mrs. Gesswein share a favorite portion of Scripture during a brief recess of the meetings. THE KING'S BUSINESS
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