The Birthplace of Global Pentecostalism
The Azusa Street Revival of 1906–1915 stands as one of the most transformative spiritual awakenings of the 20th century. Sparked by a small group of believers who sought God with humility and hunger, this movement ignited the modern Pentecostal movement, now encompassing over 600 million Christians worldwide. At the heart of the revival was a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit, marked by miracles, speaking in tongues, and a passionate call to holiness and unity.
Led by William J. Seymour, a humble African American preacher, the Azusa Street Revival broke barriers of race, class, and denomination, demonstrating God’s power to unite His people and equip them for global missions.
The Humble Beginnings
The seeds of the Azusa Street Revival were planted in 1905 when William J. Seymour, the son of freed slaves, attended a Bible school in Houston led by Charles Parham, a leader in the early Holiness movement. Seymour encountered the teaching of Spirit baptism and speaking in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Although Seymour had not yet experienced this baptism, he carried the message to Los Angeles.
In February 1906, Seymour was invited to preach at a small holiness church in Los Angeles. His sermon on Acts 2:4—“And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues” (AMP)—was met with resistance, and he was locked out of the church. Undeterred, Seymour began holding prayer meetings in the home of Richard and Ruth Asberry on Bonnie Brae Street. These gatherings focused on repentance, prayer, and seeking the Holy Spirit.
On April 9, 1906, during one of these meetings, the Holy Spirit descended powerfully. Several people began speaking in tongues, and a wave of supernatural manifestations followed. Crowds gathered outside the home, drawn by the sound of worship and testimony. The meetings grew so large that they relocated to an abandoned building at 312 Azusa Street.
A Revival Marked by the Holy Spirit
The services at Azusa Street were unlike anything the church had seen before. There was no formal worship order, planned sermons, or professional choir. Instead, the Holy Spirit guided every meeting. People prayed, sang, gave testimonies, and preached as they were led. Several distinct features characterized the revival:
1. Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Speaking in tongues, as described in Acts 2, became a central sign of the Holy Spirit’s work. People from all walks of life—rich and poor, young and old—experienced this baptism, often accompanied by deep joy and boldness in their faith.
2. Miracles and Healing
Supernatural healings were commonplace. Seymour and others prayed for the sick, and many testified to being instantly healed of physical ailments.
3. Unity Across Racial and Social Lines
The revival broke barriers that had long divided the church. At a time of racial segregation, people of all ethnicities worshiped together, demonstrating the unity of the body of Christ. Seymour famously said, “The color line was washed away in the blood.”
4. Deep Repentance and Holiness
Attendees were deeply convicted of their sins and sought to live holy lives. The meetings often included extended periods of weeping and confession.
5. Missionary Impulse
The revival instilled a burden for global evangelism. Many attendees left Azusa Street and carried the message of Spirit baptism to the nations, birthing the global Pentecostal movement.
The Leadership of William J. Seymour
William J. Seymour was an unlikely leader. Blind in one eye and the son of former slaves, Seymour was a man of humility and deep faith. He spent much of his time in prayer, often kneeling behind wooden crates in the small Azusa Street mission. Seymour’s leadership style was not about promoting himself but allowing the Holy Spirit to take center stage.
His reliance on God and commitment to racial reconciliation reflected the spirit of the revival. Seymour’s life was a testament to Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts (AMP).
The Impact and Legacy
By 1909, the revival’s intensity began to wane, but its impact had already spread far and wide. Missionaries inspired by Azusa Street carried the message of Spirit baptism to Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Denominations such as the Assemblies of God, the Church of God in Christ, and the Pentecostal Holiness Church trace their roots to this movement.
The Azusa Street Revival also emphasized the importance of God’s power being available to all believers, not just a select few. It reinforced the biblical truth of Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth” (AMP).
Lessons from Azusa Street
The Azusa Street Revival offers profound lessons for Christians today:
1. Revival Begins with Prayer
Like the small group on Bonnie Brae Street, revival often begins with a handful of believers crying out to God. Persistent, humble prayer invites the Holy Spirit to move. “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16, AMP).
2. The Power of the Holy Spirit
The revival reminds us that the Holy Spirit empowers believers for ministry, bringing boldness, unity, and supernatural works. This power is available to every believer who seeks it.
3. Unity in Christ
Azusa Street demonstrated that the Gospel transcends race, class, and denomination. True revival brings believers together under the lordship of Christ.
4. A Call to Global Missions
The missionary impulse of Azusa Street shows us that revival is not just for personal renewal but for the advancement of God’s kingdom worldwide.
A Call for Revival Today
The Azusa Street Revival reminds us of what God can do when His people humble themselves, pray, and seek His face. It began in a small room on Bonnie Brae Street and grew into a global movement because people were willing to be vessels for the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit is available to us today.
Prayer for Revival
Lord, we thank You for the testimony of the Azusa Street Revival and the lives transformed by Your Spirit. Teach us to hunger for Your presence and seek unity within Christ’s body. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, empowering us to proclaim Your Gospel to the ends of the earth boldly. Let revival begin in our hearts today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.