Sparks of Revival: Uniting Hearts in Waxhaw and Beyond

If you’ve lived in or passed through Waxhaw, NC this year you may have noticed a transformation taking place, leaving you curious about the driving force behind it all.

In response to this curiosity, we have written this story.

The signs of revival are unmistakable, and the Holy Spirit of God is moving through the hearts of people, inspiring them to share the love of Jesus during these discouraging times and to awaken His followers to action, urging them to utilize their voices and freedoms while they still have the chance.

This extraordinary journey began with a few holding handmade signs in Waxhaw, but it quickly spread into a grassroots movement that drew participants from multiple churches, including some who had no church affiliation and others who were uncertain about their beliefs but resonated with the message of positivity and love.

One of the most striking signs of revival is the unity that has emerged from this diverse group of individuals. When asked who are we with? The answer is, “No particular church, we are just a bunch of people who love Jesus.” Some even started calling it “church on the corner” and were drawn by the conviction to get out of the four walls of a church building and do something more proactive in sharing the hope of Jesus with a world that desperately needs it.

Though the first signs popped up on the streets of Waxhaw during the final weekend of 2022, several events paved the way for this remarkable movement.

Following the reopening of the area post-pandemic, prayer groups, known as Firestarters, emerged in Waxhaw. These gatherings attracted passionate individuals from various churches, united in their desire to pray for revival. It’s a well-known truth that revival always commences with heartfelt prayer.

Now, for an intriguing twist to the story…

New Zealand was the last country to open its borders after the pandemic, and in November 2022, Franklin Graham embarked on a “God Loves New Zealand” tour. Remarkably, airline tickets were available for just $888 roundtrip – an unheard-of opportunity. In response, we decided to join the tour, not only to join a friend on the team but also to reunite with our children and grandchildren whom we had been separated from for years due to the pandemic.

Before our departure, our Firestarters group gathered to pray over us, beseeching the Lord to activate revival in New Zealand, and for the sparks of revival to return to Waxhaw, spreading throughout Charlotte and across the nation. Little did we know at the time that these prayers would be prophetically answered.

In a stadium filled with 8,000 people during the “God Loves New Zealand” tour in Christchurch, my husband, known for his distinctive Jesus hat, crossed paths with Titus, who is known for always wearing a “Jesus Wants You” T-shirt. Two days later, we met for breakfast, and Titus shared his incredible story.

Titus, along with his family of six, had relocated from the United States to New Zealand before the pandemic, planning to work with a local church. However, the lockdowns left them stranded in New Zealand, facing the challenge of continuing their ministry when all the churches were closed. During those three years, Titus and his family turned to street evangelism and other creative means to share the love of Jesus with the people of New Zealand.

Their story left us astounded, and we couldn’t help but wonder about the response, particularly in a country with a low percentage of believers. Without delay, Titus invited us to join him on the streets of Christchurch, holding signs to see for ourselves. It was a transformative experience, something we had never attempted before, and we quickly grasped the profound impact it had on people. We were overwhelmed by the honks, smiles, and thumbs-up from passersby, revealing how much it meant to individuals who may have felt isolated in their faith or were facing personal struggles.

As Titus and his family prepared to return to the United States, we invited them to visit us while they were traveling across the United States to see family. During their visit on the final weekend of 2022, we went out to spread the message of love and hope through signs all over Waxhaw. We also invited them to join our Firestarters group for a New Year’s Eve worship and prayer night. The weekend was so transformative and filled with divine inspiration that we collectively felt led to continue the journey and follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.

In summary, this journey led to an extraordinary eight-month partnership with Titus and his family, during which they lived with us, and together, we sought every opportunity to share the love of Jesus. From downtown Waxhaw to uptown Charlotte and even to Bald Head Island, we embarked on this mission of love and unity, attracting individuals from diverse churches who were eager to continue spreading the message through signs and offering to pray for people.

We have collected numerous heartwarming stories and testimonies from people whose lives were touched by these signs. The memories of those eight months with the Blair family, as they shared their love and the love of Jesus with our little corner of the world, could fill a book.

They have since returned to California, where they continue to inspire hope with their handmade signs, pointing the way to a source of hope that never disappoints.

If you are interested in carrying on the mission of sharing the love of Jesus in Waxhaw, the Charlotte Metro area, or in your little corner of the world please reach out to us at team@beholdhisglory.net and we will get back to you.

Or if you are interested in attending or starting a Firestarters prayer group contact Walton@thinkrevival.com.