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Steve Porter: Lord, Send Revival to the Amish!


Steve Porter, Rochester, NY
Oct 13, 2024

In the quiet corners of America's heartland, where horse-drawn buggies still clip-clop down country roads and fields are tended by hand, lies a story of transformation that spans generations. It's a tale of faith, persistence, and the power of love to break through even the most rigid of traditions.

My story begins long before I was born, in the rolling hills of Switzerland. From there, my ancestors on my mother's side journeyed across the Atlantic, settling first in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, then moving on to Sugar Creek, Ohio, before finally putting down roots in Middlefield, Ohio. They were Amish through and through. Their lives were governed by the sacred Ordnung: a set of rules as intricate as the quilts they stitched and as unyielding as the land they farmed.

For generations, my family lived this way. Their faith was expressed in the simplicity of their dress, the clip-clop of their horse-drawn buggies, and the steadfast rejection of modern conveniences. To be Amish was to be set apart, to find holiness in separation from the world's perceived sinfulness.

From Amish Roots to Pentecostal Revival

But then came a persistent knock on the door of my grandfather's farm. It was a Pentecostal woman with a message that would change everything.

"Yost Byler," she'd call out day after day, undeterred by his gruff dismissals. "Jesus loves you!"

Those few words, spoken with unwavering conviction, eventually found their mark. One day, my grandfather Yost knelt in the very soil he had tilled for so long and opened his heart to a different kind of faith. He realized that salvation wasn't earned through rigid adherence to rules but freely given through the grace of Jesus Christ.

This revelation led him to attend a tent revival, where the fiery words of the gospel ignited a passion in his soul. Later, at a Bible study in town, a prophetic minister singled him out revealing truths about his life that no stranger could have known. These experiences set him on a new path, one that would lead him from the fields of his Amish farm to the pulpit of a Pentecostal church.

The journey wasn't easy. Choosing this new faith meant facing excommunication from the only community he had ever known and the pain of being shunned. But my grandfather's conviction never wavered. He studied, he prayed, and he became known as the "pastor of love" in his small town, often found with his Bible in his lap, lost in study and prayer. My deepest desire is to also be a minister of love, known not only for my gifts but also for the fruit they bear. These things matter in eternity.

Today, the church my grandfather founded still stands in Middlefield, Ohio, a testament to his faith and the power of transformation. I never had the chance to meet him (he passed away before I was born), but his legacy lives on. I've stood behind the same pulpit where he once preached, feeling the weight of his influence and the continuation of his mission. (Photo via Steve Porter)

In my dreams, I sometimes see him listening as I preach or offering words of encouragement. These visions remind me of the incredible journey that brought me to where I am today. I am who I am because of the faithfulness of one Pentecostal woman who refused to give up and because of a grandfather who had the courage to embrace a new understanding of faith.

"Jesus Loves You"

As I visit Amish communities today, browsing their stores and produce stands, I feel a deep connection and an overwhelming compassion. My heart burns with a desire to see a revival sweep through these communities just as it did in my grandfather's life.

This legacy of faith, from Amish roots to Pentecostal revival, is a reminder of the power of love, persistence, and the transformative nature of grace. It's a story that continues to unfold, touching lives and bridging the gap between tradition and spiritual awakening.

May we all carry forward this legacy of love, faith, and unwavering commitment to sharing the message that changed my grandfather's life: Jesus loves you.

"I Will Stir Curiosity in the Amish Heart"

The Lord says, "I am moving among the Amish community. I am breathing My Spirit upon their hearts, causing a thirst for more to fill them. There are those who desire more but don't know where to find it. I am raising up those whom I will send to speak My words under My anointing, and the walls between us will fall," says the Lord.

"In this hour, My mighty winds of change are blowing, and the gates of dead religion will not stand. I will move where they said I am not welcome. I will heal, I will deliver, and I will set free those within the Amish who have called out to me for more but have no shepherd to guide them.

"Revival will break out in meetings near these communities, and I will compel them to come. I will even stir curiosity in the Amish heart. They will stand at a distance and listen, and I will cause them to hear. From the back to the front they will come, and families will be saved.

"I will raise up ambassadors of My love," says the Lord, "who will not bring confusion but will sow seeds of grace and truth. These messengers will walk in wisdom and gentleness, respecting the Amish ways while revealing the fullness of My Spirit. Families will be transformed by My presence, their hearts awakened to a deeper understanding of My love. As they experience My power, they will become beacons of light within their communities, drawing others to the warmth of My embrace.

"The foundations of faith will be strengthened, and a new song of worship will arise from the Amish people. Their devotion, combined with the fresh wind of My Spirit, will create a powerful testimony that will impact the nations. In this, I will receive much glory, for the world will see My hand at work in preserving the pure while bringing forth the new," declares the Lord.

A Prayer for the Amish

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today, I lift up the Amish community to You with a heart full of love and compassion. Lord, You know their hearts and their deep devotion to living a life they believe honors You. (Photo via Unsplash)

Father, I pray that You would reveal Yourself to them in new and profound ways. May they come to understand that true salvation is not found in adhering to a list of rules or in the hope of earning Your favor, but in the free gift of grace through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, open their eyes to see Your hands, not just as the Creator of all things but as the hands that bore the nails of crucifixion, hands stained with sacrificial love for them. Help them to grasp the depth and breadth of Your unconditional love, a love that transcends human understanding and surpasses all worldly traditions.

I pray for a spiritual awakening within the Amish community. May they experience the joy of knowing You personally, not just as a distant deity but as a loving Father who longs for a close relationship with each of His children. Let them discover the freedom that comes from understanding that their salvation is secure in Christ, not hoped for but freely given and eternally assured.

Loving Father, I ask that You would work in their hearts, gently breaking down any barriers that prevent them from fully embracing Your grace. May their strong sense of community be infused with the knowledge of Your unconditional acceptance and love.

Guide them, Lord, from a faith built on tradition to a vibrant, personal relationship with You. Let Your Holy Spirit move among them, bringing revelation, understanding, and a renewed passion for Your Word and Your presence.

In Jesus' name, I pray for this beautiful community to experience the fullness of Your love, grace, and salvation. May their lives be transformed by the power of Your gospel, and may their witness shine even brighter as they walk in the freedom and joy of Your precious truth.

Wrap Your arms around the Amish, Lord, like a father welcoming his children home. May they feel Your presence in every heartbeat, every breath, every moment of their days. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and friend, amen.

 

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Steve Porter
Refuge Ministries

Email: G524walk@yahoo.com
Website: www.findrefuge.tv

Steve and Diane Porter have dedicated their lives to helping others experience a deeper relationship with God. Through their work with Refuge Ministries and Deeper Life Press, they have created resources that touch lives all over the globe. Steve has a special anointing to bring forth the deep truths of the Spirit, and his books, articles, and videos have helped people draw closer to God. The Porters live near Rochester, NY, and their greatest joy is to share the incredible love of their wonderful Lord.

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