A Corporate Revival in KC

A Corporate Revival in KC: a Report
by Robert Ricciardelli www.vision2advance.com

Joyce and I recently had the privilege of being hosted by Steve and Kathy Gray and the World Revival Church in Kansas City. Steve had seen some of our newsletter articles come through regarding Lakeland. Without being critical, Steve notified Lee Grady and myself about what was going on in his church that was powerful and yet God honoring. He invited Lee and I, and our wives to come and see what God has been doing there. Lee could not work it out in his schedule, but Joyce and I were able to go.
For those who do not know, Steve and Kathy Gray were the pastors of the Smithton Revival, more information here. They are now in the Lee’s Summit area of Kansas City. They are not only pastors but are also producers of the Emmy Award winning Steve and Kathy Show. I was able to conduct an interview that is now being edited and I will share with you as it becomes available.
We were treated very well by everyone and we believe Steve and Kathy will be lifetime friends and partners. Here are some highlights of what we saw in our 4 days there.
Humility: Steve and Kathy walk with a limp. There is nothing sweeter in my eyes than humility. I will take humility over anything in the world. These two in the midst of God promoting them, and their ability to influence, are humble and give all glory and honor to the Father. We see this in their leadership team as well. They see God showing up, and yet they do not own it, and they do not think they are exclusive in their experience.
Word: The Word of life is preached. They do not glory in the signs and wonders but glory in Jesus. They are not looking for gold dust, but searching for the character of Jesus. They are not seeking 3rd heaven experiences, but asking the Lord to bring heaven to earth now. Jesus is exalted and unlike recent leaders I have seen, Steve and Kathy do a great job of deflecting any glory from themselves as leaders. Deflecting all glory from self is a sign of humility and another reason why Joyce and I fell in love with them.
Presence: The people of WRC go after God with all that is within them and God is showing up. Joyce and I have been to Lakeland and we did not sense the presence of God in power like we did at WRC. We also witnessed some healings and dozens of lives changed right before our very eyes. I must note that these folks do not hype or embellish what God is doing. They do not use it to say look at us, so this was a far departure from some of what we saw this year at some other notable events.
People: We got to meet most of the pastors there as well as many members and they were genuine in their love and passion for Jesus. Their zeal was real and not pumped up. Many of them had powerful testimonies of radically transformed lifestyles. Joyce and I felt welcomed and loved. This life is also now spilling into their everyday lives and impacting their spheres in the marketplace.

Relationships: They really are a family. A very committed people. When God called them from Smithton to Kansas City, 68 families quit jobs, sold homes and moved to be part of the work God had for them in their new community. They went in faith and God has further brought them together as family, and they really do love each other and it is very evident. I see a very “safe place” for mutually submitted relationships and a community growing together.

Expression: Those who know us know that we value every corporate and organic expression of Christ-like living. We have seen radical Christians in house churches, denominational, combinational, and nominal expressions of faith communities. We believe that any expression that does not breed lives that bring His presence, nature, and character to the outside world, is fruitless religion.

WRC begins their time together on Thursday nights for Intercessory prayer. This is foundational in what God is going to do on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday mornings. 75% of the members at this time are engaged in all four of the gatherings each week.

Order: When God shows up and meets the flesh of mankind, there are sometimes reactions that take place both by the Spirit and the flesh. I believe Steve and his teams have done a great job to make it a safe and refreshing place to be for not only the members, but the guests that come each week. Regardless of your expression, you would most likely appreciate the order during the worship services.

Testimonies: I really appreciate the time they take in every service for testimonies. They usually have at least 5 testify of the manifest power of God that has just changed their lives. One First Nation man who had never been churched felt the fire of God consume Him and began to worship Jesus. A woman, who was on the verge of suicide from lifelong pain, was divinely rescued. Some of these will be on the taped interview that is now being edited.

Summary: We all have out presuppositions of what church looks like, what revival is, how we gather, how we worship, etc. Maybe there is a better word for revival these days. Joyce and I look for Jesus in the midst of many expressions and gatherings. We saw Jesus show up in marvelous ways in the life of the people at WRC. We felt His presence, and we saw transformed lives that were being carried out into the fabric of society. We may need to redefine what revival is at some point, but if changed lives (repentance), changed character, and moving in His power are revival, we saw many rumblings of this at our time at World Revival Church.
If you get a chance to visit the Kansas City area Steve, Kathy and the World Revival Church welcome you to visit them. You can get more information on their website  www.worldrevivalchurch.com