Katrina and the Need for Revival in the American Church

I was a chaplain who served in a downtown hospital in New Orleans since l992, and I was in the hospital on August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans. I spent a total of six days in the hospital during that awful week. I have been the pastor of two evangelical churches in the Greater New Orleans area and have lived here for over thirty-five years, so I feel that this is my home. Originally, I am from a small town in southern Georgia.

Why I Wrote This Book

Being a hospital chaplain and an evangelical preacher caused me some confusion, for I live in both worlds and they aren’t always the same. Many of the points I emphasize in this book reflect the preacher in me. But from the time Katrina hit, and even before, there has been a fire in my bosom to write this book—much like what you read about the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament. I could probably write another book about my experiences as a hospital chaplain as well.

This book is about the need for Revival in the Church in America, which could lead to a spiritual reformation in our country. Please note the phrase “Revival in the Church” rather than “revival in America.” The kind of revival I am calling for won’t result in legalism. It will be a balanced approach to the Christian faith that reflects the Spirit of Christ. Additionally, such a revival won’t result in self-righteousness among Christians. More will be said about this later. I will first relate my experience of enduring Hurricane Katrina and my interpretation of that event as it relates to revival.

Admittedly, this interpretation is spiritual in nature because I am a Christian minister. My target audience is Christians, but I am certain that there are many from other faiths who recognize the need for revival. We will study the book of Revelation and examine the condition of three of those famous churches in Asia Minor. We will review what they needed in order to be revived and then reveal its application to the American church. In every generation there is a need for revival and spiritual awakening.

I would also like you to glean from this book the spiritual resources needed in order to face a storm, much like the ones I used to face a literal one. By the time you finish, you will see what our country needs and what we each personally need. When we go through a personal storm, read the newspapers, or take in media, it can be overwhelming. Can we make it? Well, I made it through one of the worst storms that has ever visited a coast of the United States—so yes, I think we can make it. Is there a way for our country to experience a spiritual awakening? Yes, I think it can, but there is only one way: through a Revival in the American Church.

Again, my target audience is primarily Christians. As a Christian reading this, let me help you prepare for your daily battles, whether personal or national. If you are not a Christian and happen to stumble across this book, let me direct you to the one person who can help you through the storms of life.

There are millions of people along the Gulf Coast of the United States who lost so much during the great storms of 2005. I believe that they will be able to relate to some of this book. I did not lose my home, but I lost my job. Yet my job was restored six months after the storm. Many books have been written about Katrina, but not as many addressing the why of the storm. I will address that issue in this book too. I write more about New Orleans because it is where I live and work. But other areas suffered just as greatly. I name Katrina in the title because I have been in the midst of this disaster since day one.

This is my first book. Let me state the reason I wrote this book and expand on it somewhat. A. W. Tozer said it best: “The sight of the languishing Church around me and the operation of a new spiritual power within me have set up a pressure impossible to resist. Whether or not the book ever reaches a wide public, still it has to be written if for no other reason than to relieve an unbearable burden on the heart.”1 That is the sentiment of my heart in writing this book.

I wrote this book on weekends, and it has been a slow, tedious process. (That should explain any discrepancies when I make reference to certain months and years.) I was tempted many times to give up due to fatigue and the nagging feeling that I wasn’t qualified for such a project. However, I forged ahead, because I felt the Spirit of God nudging me to do so.

When I refer to the church, I mean the whole body of Christ throughout the world, but especially in America. Many recognize the need for a spiritual revival in our nation. There are only a few who know how to go about having one. Some advised me not to use the word revival in describing our need. The words spiritual awakening could also be used. There are many that believe that a spiritual awakening is a by-product of a revival. This is the message of this book.

I have experienced a personal revival in my own life in the last few years. This has involved repentance from sins, instantaneous obedience to the Holy Spirit, more private worship, and a greater emphasis on the Trinity. So I have taken myself the medicine I prescribe to others.

If I am right in my assessment of the situation, I would like for you to join me in praying for a great Revival in the Church. I think this is not simply a hope for our country—it is the only hope. I also pray that when you finish reading the book you will have experienced a personal revival in your life.

I wrote this book on Saturdays, and it took me over two years. It has been a tedious, slow process. (That would explain any discrepancies when I make reference to certain months and years.) I was tempted many times to give up. The reasons were fatigue and also the nagging feeling that I wasn’t qualified for such a project. However, I just forged ahead because I felt the Spirit of God kept nudging me to do so.

Throughout the book I capitalize the words “Revival” and “Church” for emphasis and to communicate that by Church I mean the whole Body of Christ throughout the world, but especially in America. Many recognize the need for a spiritual revival in our nation. There are only a few who know how to go about having one. Some advised me not to use the word “Revival” in describing our need. The words “Spiritual Awakening” could also be used. In the last chapter I capitalize the word “Revival” to emphasize a contrast to Evangelism.

I have experienced a personal revival in my own life in the last few years. This has involved repentance from sins, instantaneous obedience to the Holy Spirit, more private worship and a greater emphasis on the Trinity. So, the medicine I prescribe to others I have had to take myself.

If I am right in my assessment of the situation, I would like for my reader to join me in praying for a great Revival in the Church. I think this is not only a hope for our country—it is the only hope. I also pray that when you finish reading the book you will have experienced a personal revival in your life. I know of at least one person who did after reading the manuscript.