Starting Off the New Year with ‘Gospel Revolution’ Revival

Bethel English Church
Bethel English Church hosted its revival event, ‘Gospel Revolution,’ from January 20 to 21. |

To kick off the new year, Bethel English (BE) Church, located in Irvine, hosted a two-night revival, called "Gospel Revolution,' from January 20 to 21.

"The heart behind GR17 is to just call our people in the beginning of the new year to Praise Jesus, to hear the Proclamation of the Word, and to respond in Prayer," said Justin Kim, the lead pastor of BE Church.

"Corporately, we want to start off on the right note in the new year. Individually, we are hoping and praying that each attendee will be renewed, rejuvenated, and refreshed by the good news and that they will radically respond to the revelation of who Jesus is and what He has done for us through His life, death, and resurrection," Kim added, saying that BE Church hopes to hold the event on an annual basis. This year was the first.

Jong Park, the lead pastor of Redemption Church in Chicago who the guest speaker for the event, spoke on the first night on why one must be united with Christ, and what happens once he or she is united with Christ.

On why we must be united with Christ, Park said, "When we are not united with Christ, we're united with something else," namely, with sin. Speaking from Galatians 2:20, Park said that "our old self" is united with "Adam."

"We are addicted to sin in our union with Adam," he added. "The only way we can break the unity with Adam is to be united with Christ, the second Adam."

Park referred to the story of the paralytic found in Mark 2:1-12, in which Jesus says to the paralytic in verse 5, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Bethel English Church
(Photo : Christianity Daily)
Jong Park from Redemption Church was featured as the main speaker at the 'Gospel Revolution' revival nights hosted by Bethel English Church.

"What could he possibly do that was so bad?" Park asked. "Yet Jesus says, "Your sins are forgiven.' It shows us that sin is primarily in the heart."

"We must see how dire our situation is," he continued.

Once someone is united with Christ, he receives "pardon from sin, and power to overcome it," Park explained. And two things happen: the sinner dies with Christ, and Christ lives in him.

"This is not a command to obey," said Park. "This is a discovery to be made, a gift to marvel at, a truth on which to place our faith."