France (1400s-1600s)
   According to historians, there was several times of revival that included children. The French prophets movement contained mostly children from the ages of six to twenty-five. These prophets saw visions, spoke in unknown languages, and drew great crowds (Religious Denominations of the World, Vincent L. Milner, Bradley, Garretson & Co., Philadelphia, 1873, pg 455-457.)
   A report came from an orphanage during the revival among French Huguenots in the 1600s. It was reported that babies were speaking in languages other than French. Doctors came in to make a study of the phenomenon and decided that these babies were really speaking in other languages and were glorifying God (Le Theatre sacre des Cevennes, Maximilien Mission, 1707.).

North American Church Leaders (1703-1791)
   Such men as Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and John Wesley, grew into their roles of influence as teenagers. They each had incredible revivals and a very successful and powerful report with children. In one meeting alone, George Whitefield ministered to 20,000 children in a park; many were under conviction. John Wesley's writings tell of many encounters with children and their response to the gospel and pull of the Holy Spirit (they would fall on their faces and week, shake, and cry out loud).

Cane Ridge Revival (1801)
   In this meeting "almost anyone-women, small children, slaves, shy, illiterate, could exhort with great effect."

Scotland Revival (1859-1863)
   Documented in the Transformations II video series, the Revival in Scotland lasted for four years. It was a boy, during a school day, that started the revival. He was so intent on being drawn by the Holy Spirit that his teacher dismissed him and a friend to go and pray at home...they didn't make it home and ended up praying in the playground. This helped further spark a revival that spread to the girls school...and then like wildfire through the entire nation.

Belfast Revival (1859)
   This revival helped spark the Scotland Revival. Parents got behind this revival and didn't stop the work of the Holy Spirit among the children. Traditions in the church were challenged as the Holy Spirit moved and young girls began to pray fervently.

D. L. Moody (1837-1899)
   In his ministry, this man taught children first. "He took his place at the door and seemed to know personally every boy and girl; he shook hands and had a smile and a cheery word for each one." His Sunday school mission eventually grew to about 1,500 children and youth. His vision caught on and teen girls began Sunday schools elsewhere. He started his ministry as a teenager.

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
   Known as the preacher's preacher, Spurgeon was converted as a 16-year-old. Regarding his work with orphans he said, "We are especially exhorted to feed the young because this work is so profitable. Do what we may with persons converted later in life, we can never make much of them...Train up a child, and he may have fifty years of holy service before him."

Azuza Street Revival - children were involved!

Revival in China (1920s) - orphans experienced dreams and visions of heaven and hell (like the revival in France some three hundred years before. Missionaries recorded what they saw and searched the Scriptures to verify what the orphans described. Order Visions Beyond the Veil $12 (includes shipping).

Indonesian Revival (1967-1973)
   Children's teams went out (eight groups of ten children) after school to pray for the world in prayer meetings. They would weep then the Lord would give them a word of prophecy or instructions, or reveal something special to them.

   There are stories of other moves of the Holy Spirit, but these are some of the highlights. God is drawing children of every race and background to Himself. Are we ready to do like the old great preachers and reach for children first? Are we willing to train them in ministry? Who knows what leaders, sitting under your teaching, are being molded today for a mind-blowing ministry that will affect the nations! 

Submitted by: AC (c) 2005