God has a habit of showing up in unexpected places. 

On February 8, 2023, the Holy Spirit suddenly and powerfully poured forth on students lingering after chapel at Asbury University, located in the small town of Wilmore, Kentucky (population 6,000). For the next sixteen days, more than 50,000 pilgrims from around the world flocked to experience God’s sweet, gentle presence in Hughes Auditorium. Many sought counsel, confessed patterns of addiction and sin, and sought to reorient their lives toward God in the context of vibrant, 24-hour worship. As the Outpouring overflowed to other venues, the Asbury community—its faculty, staff, administrators, students, and community members—worked together to steward this amazing movement of God.

While other sustained revivals have happened throughout human history, despite its humble beginnings, this event grew exponentially because of social media and national and international news coverage.

Cooperating with the Holy Spirit recounts the events of the Outpouring (section 1); offers biblical, historical, and theological reflections on revivals (section 2); and provides practical insights for addressing the challenges that arise when God moves in powerful ways among his people (section 3). 

Rev. Dr. Suzanne Nicholson is a professor of New Testament at Asbury University and has previously taught at Malone University in Canton, Ohio. She is an elder in the Global Methodist Church and serves as assistant lead editor of Firebrand magazine. She earned her PhD in New Testament Studies from the University of Durham (England), an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a BA in Journalism from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband have two adult children. 

"For years, we'll be discovering the thousands upon thousands of ways God moved through this outpouring. Having this journal of how it unfolded at ‘ground zero,’ told by voices who were there serving the cause, is such a gift to the Church. Their stories will help all of us connect and process our own experiences even as we continue to carry this fire out into the world." 

—Carolyn Moore, Bishop, Global Methodist Church, and author of Supernatural: Experiencing the Power of God’s Kingdom

“As a student and employee, I've seen firsthand the work of the Holy Spirit at Asbury in Hughes Auditorium. This book is a great reminder of the humility of the Asbury team and community. Gen Z students are ‘Hungry’ for Jesus. I was so encouraged to see how the community of Wilmore embraced this movement of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Asburians, for your example to all of us.”

—David A. Hoag, President, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities 

“What a beautiful book! Its words leap off the page, telling stories of the 2023 Outpouring at Asbury from the people who were there, helping to steward those divinely appointed weeks in Wilmore. The reader can’t help but be riveted, inspired, and wrapped up in a divine hug. Reading it makes one thankful and hungry for God’s presence in equal measure.”

-Tammie Grimm, Associate Professor of Congregational Formation, Wesley Seminary 

“Suzanne Nicholson has assembled an outstanding array of writers who provide both first-hand experience of the revival and scholarly interpretation of its significance. As the history of revival in the United States is written, this will be an invaluable resource for historical and theological reflection. We can learn a great deal from these essays on the Asbury Outpouring, including how to respond when the next such move of God takes place.”

—David F. Watson, Academic Dean, United Theological Seminary

“The Holy Spirit often uses testimony as a generative force that in some measure, re-creates the world being described. This book of remembrance on the Asbury Outpouring is such a testimony. It beckons us to enter a sacred space where temporal time gives way to the joys of eternity. It invites us to taste and see the wonders and depths of holy love that flowed from the Divine life into the lives of the thousands of people who made the pilgrimage to Hughes chapel during February 2023.”

—Cheryl Bridges Johnson, Distinguished Visiting Professor & Director of Pentecostal House of Study, United Theological Seminary

“Thank you for the backstage pass to witness the Holy Spirit's outpouring on the campus of Asbury University in February 2023. Learning how God used you during this time is a powerful demonstration that the Spirit works through his people as they humbly bow and follow his leading. Thank you for reminding us of the incredible joy and responsibility to be the hands and feet of Christ, especially to serve and prepare the next generation—I am convinced God has specially called them for such a time as this!"

—Ross Allen, President, Bethel University

ISBN 9781684262328

Pages 272 

Dimensions (inches) 6 x 9

Weight (pounds) .5