Here’s a bold belief: I believe that every Christian gathering needs to have an open mic (or an open platform). (How else can we obey I Corinthians 14:26 and 30?)

Awakened Christ-followers need an outlet. When they are continually kept silent in meetings of the body of Christ, they’re unable to gain confidence and experience by being allowed to speak up in front of Christian brothers and sisters, then their voices are often hushed in the world as well and their inner spiritual fire grows cold. When Christians are silenced in church, how can they “spur one another on” (Hebrews 10:24-25)?

In my experience, dry lectures don’t awaken people much, but heart-felt, passionate testimonies do! I used to participate in Lay Witness Missions where 20 or more “laymen” would visit a church for a weekend and individually share their salvation testimonies in meetings on Friday night, Saturday morning and night, and Sunday morning. Then an altar call would be given, and the response would be massive, dozens of people asking Christ for forgiveness and salvation. (I even saw pastors experience the risen Jesus for the first time.)

My wife and I (and 3 other people) for 3 years have led a Sunday night share group on campus at a technical college in Nashville. Most of the students are just out of high school. We allow anyone present to speak and we share testimonies and Scriptures with them. (I also do Christ-exalting illusions for them.) We close with open prayer. It’s always wonderful to hear a student who has never prayed out loud before, pray! Today, we have been given 30 minutes during the school orientation to speak to several hundred new students and invite them to the meeting. Please pray that God use us to awaken them and draw them to Him.