Long before the lights, the stage and the crowds, the Ryman Auditorium was born out of revival. In the late 1800s, evangelist Sam Jones preached with fiery conviction up and down the Cumberland River. His preaching shook Nashville to its core. Taverns emptied. Brothels closed. Drunkards sobered up. Hardened hearts melted under the power of the Gospel.
One man in particular was furious. Thomas Ryman, a wealthy riverboat captain and businessman, despised the effect Sam Jones was having on the city’s nightlife and river culture. Jones’ revival meetings were disrupting business and turning the city upside down. Ryman reportedly attended one of the meetings intending to confront and silence the preacher.
But the Lord had other plans. Revival changed Thomas Ryman. So deeply moved by the preaching and conviction of the Holy Spirit, he vowed to build a place where people could gather to hear the Gospel preached. Seven years later, the Union Gospel Tabernacle opened its doors in 1892. It would later be renamed the Ryman Auditorium in the captain’s honor.
Before the Ryman became known for music, it was known for altar calls. Before Broadway became an entertainment district, the fires of revival burned there. The building was birthed from a move of God.
In many ways, the story of the Ryman parallels the story of revival itself. What began as a Gospel tabernacle was eventually overtaken by culture and the spirit of the age.
Just blocks away from the Ryman, Broadway overflows nightly with crowds drinking, partying and searching for fulfillment. Yet many believers are praying that what happened in Acts 2:1-13 will happen again in Nashville — that the fire of the Holy Ghost will fall in such a powerful way that it cannot be contained within four walls.
That is the heart behind Regeneration Nashville’s Revival at the Ryman, happening July 26.
This night is about leaning into prayer, repentance, worship and God’s plan for the city of Nashville. The same Holy Ghost who filled the Upper Room and moved in the revival meetings of the 1800s — and other revivals throughout the ages — is still moving today. For Regeneration Nashville, this moment carries special significance.
Pastors Kent and Candy Christmas began their ministry in Nashville by faithfully serving in a small warehouse church near Brick Church Pike. What began as Resting Place Church was built through years of prayer, altar ministry, worship, healing and surrender to the presence of God. There was never a pursuit of platform or popularity. The ministry was simply forged in hunger for revival. But in 2020, things changed.
As Pastor Kent’s message at The Return in Washington, D.C. spread across the nation during one of the most turbulent seasons in modern history, people everywhere began searching for something real. While much of the world shut down, the ministry continued gathering, praying and preaching. Through online ministry, the message reached far beyond the walls of a single church building and eventually grew into Regeneration Nashville.
People began coming from across the country and around the world — hungry for truth, hungry for the presence of God and hungry for revival. And now, the journey leads to the Ryman.
Just as in the days of Sam Jones, believers are praying that people will leave the bars, wander toward the presence of God, and worship and deliverance will pour into the streets.
Genesis 26 tells us that the wells of fresh water once dug by Abraham were stopped up by the Philistines. But everything changed when Isaac returned to re-dig his father’s wells and uncover the places where living water once flowed. Revival is not lost to history. And we believe the wells are about to flow again.
Tickets for Revival at the Ryman are fully reserved, but if you would still like to attend, Regeneration Nashville has secured an overflow venue at the SkyDeck across the street at the Food Hall. The service will be livestreamed there, and the pastors and singers will also be available to pray with attendees and minister to those in the overflow area.
—Burton Gaar
