James, a towering figure grappling with addiction on the streets of Minneapolis, sought a sign from God amidst the summer of 2023. His quest for solace in the depths of despair led him down a path of self-destruction, a relentless search for something to fill the void within. Unbeknownst to him, a divine encounter was about to unfold. A group of young evangelists, driven by their own mission to spread the gospel, crossed paths with James. Their simple question, “Do you believe in God?”, sparked a flicker of hope within him, a possibility that this encounter was the sign he had been desperately seeking. While the evangelists shared their message of salvation, James wrestled with fundamental questions about Jesus, faith, and the assurance of salvation. His heart yearned for answers, for a truth that could anchor his troubled soul.
Across the digital landscape, social media served as a connection point for countless individuals, including the author, who had founded Pulse Evangelism two decades prior. Driven by a desire to share the message of Jesus with a world consumed by distraction and despair, the author’s ministry utilized the power of online platforms. A seemingly ordinary Facebook message from a stranger named James caught the author’s attention. The message, a simple request for answers about Jesus, carried a profound significance. Upon learning that James had encountered the young evangelists earlier that day, the author recognized a divine orchestration at play. He responded to James’s message, offering words of hope and grace, sharing the profound truth of Jesus’s sacrifice for humanity’s sins. An invitation to meet in person followed, a pivotal moment in James’s journey towards redemption.
Their meeting was marked by a stark contrast in physical stature, the author craning his neck to meet James’s towering gaze. However, their shared vulnerability transcended physical differences. A conversation about grace, about the immeasurable gift of Jesus’s sacrifice, unfolded. In a moment of profound surrender, James made a life-altering decision. He embraced Jesus as his savior, a transformative act that surprised both himself and the author. The realization that God’s grace extended to him, a flawed and broken individual, resonated deeply within James’s soul. He had found the answer he had been searching for, the missing piece that could fill the emptiness within.
James’s story became a testament to the power of grace, a beacon of hope for those lost in the darkness of addiction and despair. He embraced his newfound faith, joining a church community and nurturing his spiritual growth. While his story represents a triumph of redemption, the author acknowledges that the journey of faith is not always so straightforward. Grace, often unpredictable in its manifestations, can emerge in unexpected places and unexpected ways. The author poses a crucial question: Are you ready for revival? He asserts that revival is sweeping across the globe, with individuals like James, young evangelists, and people from all walks of life leading the charge.
The author anticipates skepticism regarding the reality of revival, acknowledging the common perception that it should be spearheaded by the affluent, influential, and intellectually elite. He addresses the prevailing sense of darkness and division in the world, acknowledging the valid reasons for discouragement. However, he emphatically reiterates the reality of revival, urging readers not to simply take his word for it but to witness it firsthand. He issues a challenge to reflect on the “anthem” of one’s life, echoing James’s quest for meaning and purpose. What are you living for? What drives and motivates you? This question forms the basis of a global conversation, an invitation to examine the core values that shape our lives.
The author defines an anthem as the song or sound of a movement, a rallying cry that unites individuals around a shared purpose. He challenges individuals to evaluate their life’s anthem, to discern whether it aligns with their deepest desires and aspirations. For those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus, the author extends an invitation to share their hope with others, particularly during the Christmas season. He introduces the Anthem Christmas broadcast, scheduled for December 18th, as a platform to amplify the message of hope and salvation. The broadcast will feature stirring renditions of “Amazing Grace” by renowned artists, testimonies from young evangelists, an interview with a former NFL quarterback, and a gospel message delivered by the author himself. He urges viewers to watch, share, and host events centered around the broadcast, encouraging friends and family to participate. Drawing upon his experience working with prominent evangelists like Billy Graham and Luis Palau, the author emphasizes the transformative impact of investing in others and sharing the hope of Jesus. He believes that many of the world’s scandals could have been averted through such investment. The Anthem Christmas broadcast aims to lead hundreds of thousands to embrace Jesus, a testament to the power of faith and redemption. The author calls upon readers to join the revival, to join the anthem, and to find out more at Anthem.org.
