Church revivals are traditionally

scheduled in the fall, which coincides with nature's period of silent

regeneration.

The Rev. Mark Outlaw, pastor

of Bethany United Methodist Church, noted that revivals help members "refocus

on their spiritual life" and "light the fire again in their

hearts" in their walk with Christ.

Bethany UMC will open its four-day

revival Sunday evening. The revival will be led by the Rev. Jim Ellison,

pastor of Providence UMC, who coincidentally attended seminary with Outlaw

and served as youth minister in Outlaw's father's church.

The presence of someone different

in the pulpit "really maximizes the revival," noted Outlaw.

He emphasized the benefits of having a fresh new face who delivers his

message with a different tone.

The Sunday night opening will

feature a Sunday school challenge, a competition among classes on the

best attendance for the first night of revival. "Monday night will

be children's night, with special music geared toward the church's youngest

members."

The youths of the congregation

will be the focus of Tuesday night's session and the spotlight will be

trained on families Wednesday, the closing night of the revival. Each

evening begins at 6:45 with congregational singing and concludes at 8

p.m.

The beginning of the liturgical

year in Roman churches also starts in the fall with Advent, a time of

preparation before the birth of Christ.