LA MIRADA, CALIF. — Fifty years ago, Christian revival sparked during the Jesus People Movement. Aiming to fuel the flame of the same type of revival, Biola University will host a new annual Bible conference — the Ablaze Conference — on October 7-9, 2021. Biola’s Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today in partnership with the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, Ablaze will feature plenary speakers, workshops, worship and a special reunion concert from musical artists from the Jesus People Movement.

During the Jesus People Movement of the 1960s, the Holy Spirit provoked a spiritual awakening all across Southern California. Arising from the counterculture of the late 1960s, a resurgence of evangelical Christianity became known as the Jesus People Movement, or just the Jesus Movement, which heavily influenced churches and the Christian music industry. In his book God’s Forever Family, author Larry Eskridge argues that “the Jesus People Movement is one of the most significant American religious phenomena of the postwar period.” The Ablaze Conference hopes to fuel the same type of revival movement that happened six decades ago.

“Can the Holy Spirit do this again? YES! Some may be skeptical at this answer, but I propose you consider looking to the past for inspiration and into the future with aspiration. Our Savior can do it again, regardless of our race or background, in the contexts of universities, in students, in our churches and in our lives and to compel us to pursue a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” said Oscar Merlo, Director of the Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today.

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What: Ablaze Conference will begin the morning of October 7, 2021 and will explore revival from the Holy Spirit through plenary speakers, workshops and worship. The conference is dedicated to the legacy of the Jesus People Movement that launched in the 19060s.. Fifty years after Time Magazine heralded the “The Jesus Revolution,” Biola is inviting people to gather to reflect on and learn from the movement.

Who: The Biola University Center for the Study of the Work and Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today is hosting well-known speakers Matt Chandler, Tanya Riches and Greg Laurie at Ablaze. Musical artists include ​​Love Song and The Salt Company.

When: Thursday, October 7 through Saturday, October 9

Where: Biola University, 13800 Biola Ave. La Mirada, CA 90639

On site Media Contact: Sarah Dougher (562) 906-4524, sarah.m.dougher@biola.edu. Press passes are available upon request. 

About Ablaze Conference: During the Jesus People Movement of the 1960s, the Holy Spirit provoked a spiritual awakening all across Southern California. In God’s Forever Family, Larry Eskridge argues that “the Jesus People Movement is one of the most significant American religious phenomena of the postwar period.” Thousands of lives were transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we have come to examine this movement, we ask ourselves, “Can the Holy Spirit do it again?” We believe he can. We believe our faithful Lord can ignite a spiritual awakening in our university and students, in our churches and in our lives. Visit the event webpage for more information. 

Biola University is a leading Christ-centered university in Southern California that offers a premier, nationally ranked education and has been named one of the nation's “up and coming” universities by U.S. News & World Report four times in five years. Founded in 1908, Biola is committed to the mission of biblically centered education, scholarship and service — equipping men and women in mind and character to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. With more than 6,300 students at its Los Angeles-area campus and around the world, the university offers more than 150 academic programs through its nine schools, ranging from the B.A. to the Ph.D. For more information, visit www.biola.edu.