In our daily meditations at Group Bible Study, we reflect on the acts of the Holy Spirit that bring spiritual revival to a city, area, or country. Yesterday, we discussed the revival in the Scottish Hebrides Islands from 1949 to 1952, led by the prayers of two elderly women. Today, we turn our hearts to learn what God did in Argentina in the 1950s to powerfully turn the country's heart toward God.
The Radical Transformation of a Rebel Gang
Alexander, a young man and rebel, sat in the front row at a revival meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with his group, planning to cause disruption. However, God convicted him, leading to his repentance. As his gang began to leave, they were touched by the Spirit, and all surrendered their lives to Christ. Later, two of them enrolled in the Bible school taught by Ed Miller in City Bell, near Buenos Aires. In June 1951, Pastor Miller felt led by the Lord to cancel classes so the entire student body could dedicate themselves to daily prayer for their country.
A Heavenly Visitation Sparks Continuous Prayer
Alexander, the former rebel, was still praying long after midnight when he felt a strange pressure pressing down on him. A brilliant, intense light surrounded him, and a heavenly being appeared. Terrified, the boy ran back to the Institute. ‘The heavenly visitor’ entered the Institute with him, and soon all the students were awake, filled with fear of God. They began to cry out in repentance as the Spirit of God touched them. The next day, the Spirit of God came again upon Alexander, giving him a message to encourage them to pray for God to come in a new way to Argentina.
The Bible school became a hub of prayer until vacation time, when teams traveled to preach throughout their city. It marked the start of new outpourings of the Holy Spirit across the land. They continued to pray for four months, spending 8 to 10 hours a day in prayer, accompanied by continual weeping. During prayer, the Lord gave the Bible school prophetic words, saying He would fill the largest auditoriums and stadiums; these prophecies came at a time when the average congregation in Argentina numbered only 30 people.
God’s Divine Appointment and an Impossible Mission
Those praying for revival attempted to invite a well-known healing evangelist to Argentina, but he was fully booked, suggesting he might not be God's chosen instrument. A lesser-known healing evangelist, Tommy Hicks, received a divine message to go to Argentina, confirmed later by a friend. With only enough money for the flight to Buenos Aires, Hicks prayed quietly on the plane when the Spirit of God whispered "Peron" to him. Unsure of its meaning, he asked the stewardess, who explained it was the name of Argentina’s president, Juan Perón. Hicks then realized he needed to meet the president.
The year was 1954. When Tommy Hicks arrived in Buenos Aires, he met with a committee organizing the evangelistic crusade. He told them that God had spoken to him about finding a stadium that could hold at least 25,000 people. The committee thought he was crazy, believing that 2500 would be too large for his meetings. They laughed when Tommy said that President Peron would give them the stadium. Peron was known for being intolerant and uncooperative with Christian leaders. Argentina was mainly Catholic, with a Protestant population of less than 2%. Peron was a dictator who closely watched every public meeting, and his wife, Evita, was deeply involved in occultism. But the Spirit of God prompted Tommy Hicks to boldly go to the presidential palace to see Peron, which seemed totally impossible... Keith Thomas
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Series: This excerpt is taken from the series called On Fire With the Holy Spirit.
Reflection & Application: Activating Revival in Your Circles
It is easy to read historical accounts of revival and think, "That was for another time and place." But the Holy Spirit is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Here is how you can apply the lessons from Argentina to your daily walk:
Pray Beyond the Boundaries: The Bible school students prayed for 8 to 10 hours a day for a move of God when the average church size was only 30 people. Don't limit your prayers to your current reality. Pray for your city and nation based on God's size, not your current circumstances.
Expect the Unexpected Instruments: God didn't use a famous evangelist first; He transformed a rebellious gang member and used an unknown preacher named Tommy Hicks. Ask God to remove any biases you have about who He can use and be willing to be the unlikely instrument He uses in your workplace, family, or neighborhood.
Listen for the "Whispers": Tommy Hicks didn't even know who Perón was, but he obeyed a single whispered name. This week, practice quiet listening during your prayer time. If a specific name, place, or situation comes to mind, write it down and ask God what bold, step-of-faith action He might be asking you to take.