Bro. Stephen Ike | President, Bronx Chapter
African Christian Fellowship, USA
To the saints and my faithful brothers and sisters,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I write to you, beloved, with a heart stirred by the Spirit regarding the season ahead of us. We often pray for “revival”—longing for a move of God that sweeps through our churches and our cities. Yet Scripture reminds us that the fire of God rarely falls on empty ground; it falls upon an altar that has been prepared.
Revival is not merely an external event or a moment of emotional intensity. It is, first and foremost, a return to our first love. It begins when we stop seeking the hand of God for what He can give us and begin seeking the face of God for who He is.
As it is written, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6). True revival is the resurrection of what has grown cold within us.
Revival is not a lightning bolt from the sky; it is the awakening of dead places within us. It begins with the honest prayer of the Psalmist: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23).
The Nature of End Time Revival
The concept of an end-time revival, often referred to as the “latter rain,” is widely held within Pentecostal and Charismatic circles. It suggests that just before the second coming of Christ, there will be a global spiritual awakening characterized by a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
This expectation is rooted in Joel 2:28–32 and Acts 2:17, and is often described by the following characteristics:
- Outpouring of the Holy Spirit: Dreams, visions, prophecy, and spiritual gifts among believers
- Restoration of the five-fold ministry: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers equipping the Church (Ephesians 4:11)
- Global harvest of souls: The Gospel preached to all nations with power
- Miracles and healing: Signs and wonders accompanying the preaching of the Word, as in the book of Acts
At the same time, Scripture presents a sober tension between revival and falling away (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Matthew 24:10–12). Some understand both realities as occurring simultaneously—a great harvest alongside increasing deception (Matthew 13:24–30).
Regardless of interpretation, one truth remains: God is calling His people to readiness.
The Individual Altar: Where Revival Begins
Before fire fell on Mount Carmel, Elijah repaired the broken altar (1 Kings 18:30). In the same way, revival begins with the restoration of the personal altar.
We must ask ourselves:
- Are we cultivating private devotion, or merely maintaining public appearance?
- Are we truly seeking God, or only His blessings?
David’s prayer remains our model:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23).
Revival begins in the hidden place—the place of prayer, repentance, and surrender. It begins when we return to the simplicity of loving God above all else.
The Communal Overflow
When individual hearts are set ablaze, the community cannot remain unchanged. A revived believer produces a revived fellowship.
The early church “devoted themselves” to prayer, teaching, fellowship, and breaking of bread (Acts 2:42). The result was not only spiritual vitality but visible transformation and daily growth in the Church.
A revived community is marked by:
- Unity and transparency
- Repentance and healing (James 5:16)
- Compassion for the broken and the poor (Amos 5:24)
- A living testimony of Christ’s presence
True revival always produces love in action.
A Practical Spiritual Response
In light of this, I urge you to:
- Search and surrender: Invite the Holy Spirit to examine your heart. Lay aside every weight and sin that hinders spiritual fire (Hebrews 12:1).
- Return to deep repentance: Revival and pride cannot coexist. Let confession and humility become a daily posture.
- Pray for one another: Revival is corporate. We are strengthened and healed together through prayer (James 5:16).
- Expect the move of God: God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Let faith rise again.
- Walk in love without agenda: Let renewed fire be expressed through humility, kindness, and service to the weary and marginalized.
A Call to Renewal
Brethren, let the fire be rekindled now. Let revival begin within us so it may flow through us.
As part of this season of expectation, I encourage every saint to prepare for and attend the upcoming East Region Conference, 2nd – 5th July 2026. Registration is ongoing. Do not miss this season of visitation.
Closing Prayer
Dear Father,
You have delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the marvelous light of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to Your name.
In this end time, let the fire of the Holy Spirit burn within us continually until You return. Strengthen our faith, deepen our love for You and for one another, and make us steadfast and watchful.
May we be a people prepared for Your coming, shining as light in a dark world.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
REGISTER FOR OPERATION: REVIVE & RESTORE 2026
About Brother Stephen Ike
Bro. Stephen Ike is the President of the African Christian Fellowship, Bronx, New York Chapter. He is a born-again Christian who has been serving the Lord since his teenage years. He expresses his love for the Lord through active involvement with other believers in mission fields, church activities, and Christian organizations.
He originally migrated from the eastern part of Nigeria to the United States of America several years ago with his family. He is a businessman, a transporter, and also works in the healthcare field.
By the grace of God, his involvement with ACF through Dr. Samuel Mbazor has been a blessing to his family and the ACF community. He is married to Sister Comfort Ike, and they are blessed with five children.
