Day 6: Light in the Darkness

Revival: The Jesus Movement (1960s-1970s)

‘The Jesus Movement’ emerged during a turbulent era in the United States marked by social unrest, the Vietnam War, and widespread disillusionment with organised religion. In the midst of this darkness, God began to move among the countercultural youth known as hippies. These young people, searching for meaning and truth, found life-transforming faith in Jesus Christ.

Chuck Smith, a pastor in California, became a key leader in the movement. His church, Calvary Chapel, welcomed barefoot, long-haired hippies who had been rejected by more traditional congregations. Lonnie Frisbee, a charismatic young convert, became an evangelist who led thousands to Christ. Baptisms were often held in the Pacific Ocean, with hundreds flocking to the beach to publicly declare their faith.

The movement emphasised personal relationships with Jesus, communal living, and informal worship styles. It also birthed contemporary Christian music, with artists like Larry Norman and Love Song bringing gospel messages to a new generation. The Jesus Movement spread across the U.S. and beyond, leading to countless conversions and inspiring a new wave of church planting.

Revival often comes where least expected. How can you welcome those who are far from God but searching for hope?