1.  By revival we mean, according to Google Search, as follows:

2.  “an improvement in the condition or strength of something.

3.  “an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.

4.  Bible meaning: “making alive again…those who have been alive but have fallen into what is called cold or dead state…they are Christians and have life but they need reviving to bring them to their first love and health.”

5.  “restoration to life, consciousness,vigor, strength, etc.”

6.  “restoration to use, acceptance, or currency.”

7.  Deep meaning:  “when a fire of first love for Jesus is reignigted in the hearts of believers…their lives are transformed and the kingdom of God is expanded all around them in vari0us ways that impact, shape, and reform culture and society.”

8.  The root word of revival?  “Revive comes from the Latin roots re-, meaning ‘again’ and vivere, meaning ‘to live again’ “

9.  “revive can be used in a sense that’s very close to literal.”

10.  God’s word on revival?  “Revival is portrayed as divine act that revitalizes the community of believers, leading to collective rejoicing in God’s presence and blessings.”  

11.  Psalmist:  “I lie in the dust, revive me by your word.”

12.  Four revival steps:  “#1: humility, #2: prayer, #3: seeking God’s face, and #4 repentance.” 

13.  In two words we mean by revival to be “born again” both from above and below in body and soul.

14.  This said our ministry has inherited the charter of one of the oldest Lutheran congregations of the City’s Southside generally, Roseland’s Far-Southside particularly.

15.  Reformation Lutheran then, serves as an expression of Lutheran congregationalism of Chicago as a whole.

16.   In fact, Reformation Lutheran is the only congregation so named in the City.

17.  Originally known as the Far-Southside’s Swedish Lutheran Church since the late 19th Century, our congregation morphed into a majority Black Lutheran congregation during the 1950s with Roseland’s White Flight to the South Suburbs on the one hand and Black immigration from the low end Southside on the other.

18.  Through our family member, Mother Dorothy King, we became active  congregants of Reformation.

19.  Over time, Mother King became Chair of Reformation’s Senior Ministry as well as point person of the congregation’s Black History Month annual celebrations.

20.  Moreover, Mother King’s 5 grandchildren {now adults with congregations of their own} served as an integral part of Reformation’s Youth Ministry.  Additionally, Mother King’s Daughter In-law became a veteran ordained Deaconess of the congregation, specializing in family pastoral care, where she still ably serves now. 

21.  This writer, via marriage to Mother King’s Daughter In-law, currently serves as Reformation’s Ministry Pastor.

22.  Given the above context, our ministry is currently convening OUR 2025 RESOLUTION  CALL TO REVIVAL.  Our master plan revival call serves as an effective born again strategy with supporting tactics tied to that strategy. 

23.  A partial list of our revival support tactics are as follows:

24.   A.  BODY & SOUL TELE-CONFERENCE JOURNAL REPORT BLOG.

B.  Partnering with LIVE FREE USA & LIVE FREE ILLINOIS respectively  on faith-based tenant organizing and community violence interventions

C.  Unfolding our EL CAPITANBODY & SOUL HOUSING MINISTRY @ MAPLE POINT APARTMENTS

D.  Our YOUNG, GIFTED, AND BLACK homeschooling service & supporting website

TO BE CONTINUED