The Azusa Street Mission and Revival: The Birth of the Global Pentecostal Movement

This is an excellent read that gives a much closer glimpse to the events that began the Pentecostal faith. Robeck, Jr. does not show us a perfect picture and examines, along with the positive growth and expansion of the movement, the unity and diversity of the believers, and the gracious character and overcoming faith of it's leaders, especially of William J. Seymour, but also the controversies, failures, pettiness, and weaknesses of it's leaders, which may have eroded and finally ended the revival. Chapters 7 and 8 are truly heart-breaking to read. They follow Seymour's last years in his struggle against betrayal and the church's dwindling congregation in the hopes of bringing back the initial Pentecostal revival of 1906-1908.It is amazing to read how this little group of African American believers, in the midst of severe racism where lynching was rampart, turned into a multicultural church that has miraculously expanded into the largest and fastest growing Christian denomination where an "estimated 35,000 people join the Pentecostal church each day. Of the world's two billion Christians a quarter are now Pentecostal—up from 6 percent in 1980."If one wants to know something about the beginnings of Pentecostalism, this is a must read.

I read this book from beginning to end in less than a week. I could not put it down. From understanding the ethnic implications to grooving through the shear brilliant display of ingenious marketing by word of mouth and the train and bus lines, this book is a masterpiece of love for revival, history, unity and evangelization of the Body of Christ. There is no stone left unturned in Cecil Roebeck's unearthing of stories mixed with pure journalistic authenticity and fact finding, painstaking work. Cannot recommend this enough. America is long overdue for this kind of earth shaking revival but do you really want to work that hard? That is the question.

This is a great and thorough book about the Azusa street revival. I loved how well researched and detailed it was and I also appreciated the thorough dive into Pastor Seymour's history. This book did not shy away from speaking about the shortfalls and downsides of the revival which is a much more honest history of an event

Pages 313 to 342 are worth the price of the book and more. The comments on revival and what we're looking for in it are the most outstanding I have ever read.As an amateur church historian, degree in American history, I found the book itself to be rather long, drawn out and repitious. Some of his history went into too much detail for an average reader. For a historian it was a bit much at times. I always am concerned about the common man and whether he will take the time to continue reading when I get bogged down in the minute details of a history or sermon or anything else.

This is a unique period of time in the history of modern Christianity. Revivals are often controversial, as in Jesus' day. When God's Spirit moves, people inevitably criticize what's going on. It's nice to get a perspective on this period of time from many sources that were close to the events.

This is a well written, factual book which brings the Azusa Street Revival into new light and understanding. This author is gifted in his ability to draw the reader into the lives of the characters and into the world of a time now past. He has written as a true historian, revealing the past and giving it voice to make its own statements to the reader!

Great

Robeck provides an excellent exposition of the impact that Azusa street had within American churches and around the globe. He provides hundreds of first hand accounts and quotes to help us understand the times and what people genuinely experienced. Robeck also delves into the life and leadership of William Seymour and how he helped spur on the revival. This is a great read for anyone associated with the Pentecostal movement who would like to learn more about the roots of the tradition.

This is a well documented, easy to read history of a significant Pentecostal moment and time!