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The 1980 Haskell-Knox Revival

In the midst of all the discussion of what is and what is not "revival," I decided to record what I remember about the revivals I have been privileged to be part of.

The Haskell-Knox Revival of 1980 was a tent revival sponsored by a group of area churches. After "cottage prayer meetings" that were attended for weeks by people from many different churches, a large tent was erected on the grounds of the school in O'Brien, Texas. A baptist pastor turned evangelist, Jack Taylor, was the preacher. There were only about 300 in that town and less than 10,000 in the rural area surrounding the location, but hundreds came.

Most of what I tell about this revival is from reports to me from others since I was not an active participant until the fourth night. I was a spiritually and physically strung-out 18-year-old when it started. My mother begged me to go each night. I refused and finally yelled at her. She cried, I felt guilty, and I went to the revival on Thursday. 

What happened that night?

I remember that the tent was packed. We sang a lot. The preacher preached. I don't remember the message. I didn't remember it the next day. Over a hundred people went to the altar. I wasn't one of them. I was under conviction but wasn't going down with all those people. After the meeting, I hung around and found my coach, Jimmy Rogers. I don't remember what we talked about. I know I begged God for help, made a commitment to God, and my coach prayed for me. 

Was there lasting spiritual fruit?

There was true conversion. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, continued in the faith to this day (or until their deaths). There was an increased passion for Christ. Many of the prayer groups continued. People continued to believe in Christ because of the witness of those affected. Churches that embraced what God was doing grew. Some, including my pastor, opposed the revival. That produced division in our church because many had been affected positively by the meeting.  

What was the fruit in my life?

I quit drinking and drugging. I was supposed to start pre-med at a state party school but knew I'd die if I went there. So, I shocked my parents and started looking for a Christian college. I was actually enrolled in one a week after classes had started. I became hungry, desperate to encounter God. I began looking to the Charismatic movement to fill that hunger. However, I became bitter with my father after he left that year, and the bitterness took its toll. I don't believe I was truly regenerated then. I believe that took place eleven years later, but that meeting changed my direction.

Was this a community or area-wide transforming event?

To a certain extent, yes. Was it a Welsh or Hebrides revival? No. Is there lasting, God-glorifying fruit in the lives of those who were there? Yes. 

ADDENDUM: Here's a testimony from one woman who was also profoundly changed by God during those meetings.

"Yes, that revival was life-changing for me also. The pastor at O'Brien was the man who organized it. Brother Bill Trice. Like you, I did not 'walk the aisle', but was impacted by Jack Taylor's testimony and challenge, so the next day at home on the floor of my bedroom I told Jesus if He was real, I would give him control of my life for one year! Praise His Name, He Is real and I am so thankful to be living the Exchanged Life!!!"

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