New Outpouring Book Includes 10 ATS Alumni Authors
A new book on the Asbury Outpouring includes chapters written by 10 ATS alumni and current students. Cooperating with the Holy Spirit: Theological and Practical Reflections on the Asbury Outpouring will be released on February 11 by Abilene Christian University Press. The book includes 18 chapters by 23 authors and is edited by ATS alumna Suzanne Nicholson (’99), who serves as Professor of New Testament at Asbury University.
“Since the Outpouring of the Spirit was stewarded by the whole Asbury community, it seemed fitting for representatives of the whole Asbury community to write this book,” Nicholson explained. “Each chapter explores a different aspect of what we experienced and offers new light on how God worked among us.”
The first section of the book describes the events of the February 2023 outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Asbury University and the continuing spread of the Spirit to the seminary and churches in Wilmore. Authors recount the prayer that preceded this movement of God, the deep spiritual needs of Generation Z and their heartfelt response to the Holy Spirit, multicultural and multiethnic aspects of the event, and other key experiences.
In the second section, authors describe the biblical, historical, and theological foundations for outpourings of the Holy Spirit. The biblical evidence for God’s desire to be present with his people, the key features of historical evangelical revivals, a theology of sacred space, and a theology of prayer comprise this section, which ends with a chapter on viewing the Outpouring through a Wesleyan lens.
The final section of the book explores some of the practical decisions that must be made when the Holy Spirit makes a profound, surprise visit. These discussions address music choices and worship leading, managing the media, keeping a focus on mission, sending out witnessing teams, and other key considerations.
Global Methodist Church Bishop and ATS alumna Carolyn Moore describes the impact of the book: “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.”
ATS contributors to the book include: Dean of Chapel and alumna Jessica LaGrone, alumni Sarah Baldwin, Madeline Black, Greg Haseloff, Sam Kim, Robin Lim, Suzanne Nicholson, Craig Saunders, Joy Vaughan, and current student Maria Brown.
The book is available at acupressbooks.com, amazon.com, and other bookstores.
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