1997 SDX Awards--Kilpatrick: History shows revivals are divisive

9. Public Service in Journalism
CIRCULATION LESS THAN 100,000

PUBLISHED SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17, 1997
Copyright 1997 The Pensacola News Journal. All rights reserved

Kilpatrick:
History shows revivals are divisive

By Alice Crann
staff writer

The Rev. John Kilpatrick says he is not a prophet, he's just an average pastor-- and always will be.

He says he has learned many hard lessons during the 2 1/2 years of revival at his church, Brownsville Assembly of God.

And he says he can accept scrutiny and criticism.

"With something of this magnitude, there will be negativity," Kilpatrick said. "History shows revival has always been divisive.

"But people in the ministry have to be accountable. I have been faithful to my wife for 29 years, and I have been faithful to my church. When this is over, I hope Brownsville is a strong church."

Kilpatrick defends his methods, messages and motivations.

"Critics would say because we were praying for revival, we were strategizing for revival, but that's not how it was.

"In 1991, I was in church praying and looking at the new church. I said: 'God, the church is good, but I am so lonely. Why am I so lonely? It doesn't feel like it used to.'

"The planning and construction of the new church took about 2" to 3 years. There was meeting after meeting. And the church was growing. I said: 'God, I want you to touch me. The Lord spoke to my heart and said that if I would make this a house of prayer, He would pour out His spirit."

"God has given Steve a special anointing. He has a passion to see the lost and get them to come to God.

Kilpatrick said he and Hill do not use the the term "impartation" to describe what they do.

"We don't use the word because it is a confusing word and misunderstood. We use the word 'anointing.'

He also said that critics' accusations that he and Hill have strayed from Scripture are unfounded. "The word of God is the thing," Kilpatrick said. "Every night Scripture is read. There has not been 10 services where the word of God has not been preached.

In response to complaints that he has made harsh judgments, Kilpatrick said he regretted his proclamations against people who left the church, but he defended his motives.

"When you are helping people being saved -- people from drugs, teen-agers who wanted to kill their parents -- when you see those kind of conversions going on, watching people out there fighting this is an indignation.

"But I do sincerely miss the people who left," he said.

"I still love them. I went through a great deal of hurt because they didn't get in on what the Lord is doing. But I have no ill will toward them."

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