National revival leader James Pool to speak Tuesday, encouraging students to combine prayer and relationships to reach their generation.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas - A growing movement for prayer and revival will arrive at Sam Houston State University on Tuesday as OneCry hosts an evangelistic training led by national ministry leader James Pool. The event aims to equip students and ministry partners to share their faith through authentic relationships and the power of prayer.
Training set for Tuesday evening
The session will take place at 7 p.m. inside the Lowman Student Center, where Pool will speak to students about the connection between prayer, humility, and evangelism. “You can’t get away from the importance of prayer,” Pool said. “Every great movement of God has been birthed in or out of prayer. Prayer and evangelism are like two sides of the same coin.”
Pool said his goal is to encourage students to see evangelism not as a program but as a lifestyle rooted in love. “The kind of evangelism we’re seeing is different than what the church has known in the past,” he said. “Students today are wanting to build relationships. They go out establishing relationships with the intent of loving people into the kingdom of God. Isn’t that the way Jesus did it?”
A ministry focused on revival and renewal
OneCry was founded in 2011 by Byron Paulus, then leader of Life Action Ministries. Pool joined with a group of pastors to seek revival through prayer and connection among churches. “Out of that came the ministry now known as OneCry,” Pool explained. “It was birthed in 2011, and in 2022 we became a very independent ministry. We were connected to Life Action for a long time, and then we pulled away. God’s blessed ever since.”
Pool said that today, OneCry has become a global ministry. “There are people around the world praying for revival and spiritual awakening,” he said. “We have many in other countries who are praying for revival in the U.S., and it’s exciting to be a part of that kind of heart.”
Revival across a new generation
Pool, who now lives in Waco, said he has witnessed a remarkable change in the hearts of college students. “This young generation, Gen Z and now Gen Alpha, they have a real passion to be relational,” he said. “They love to worship. They love Jesus. They love to be in relationship evangelistically. They love to make connections to help people meet Jesus.”
He said what’s happening on campuses today reminds him of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s. “I haven’t seen anything like this since the Jesus Movement,” Pool said. “I was blessed to be at Baylor University 50 years ago during that time, and what I’m seeing now is very similar—maybe even greater in dynamic than what we experienced back then.”
Connection to the Asbury revival
Many within the OneCry network, including Pool, were directly involved in prayer efforts during the 2023 Asbury University outpouring in Wilmore, Kentucky. “Some of our team were actually there present at Asbury and were able to speak into God’s activity there,” Pool said. “We actually had Baylor students who went to Asbury and prayed, and even shared during that time.”
He described what he witnessed as a genuine work of humility and repentance. “It’s so reflective of what God has done in the past when He brings revival where there is a great brokenness over sin,” Pool said. “These young adults were being so transparent, being willing to humble themselves. That’s a mark of revival when it comes.”
Students returning to the Word
According to Pool, one of the most encouraging signs of this movement is its foundation in Scripture. “This movement is Word-centered,” he said. “That gives me great hope because a lot of movements are emotionally based or experientially based and don’t encompass a firm stand in the Word of God. But this one does. These young adults love God’s Word, and they’re hungry to be in it.”
He added that this passion for Scripture is what makes the revival different. “It’s an exciting day to see a return to the Bible, a return to truth, and a growing love for Jesus,” Pool said.
The power of prayer and perseverance
Pool shared that his own experience in Waco has shown how consistent prayer can prepare a city for revival. “About eight years ago when we came, it’s as if God began to just draw people here who had a passion for revival,” he said. “There had been a group of pastors who had been praying for years that God would bring revival to Waco. Those pastors were faithful. They met every week—rain or shine—crying out to God for revival.”
He believes similar dedication can bring transformation in Huntsville. “I just trust that even those around you can truly have a fresh passion to cry out to God that He’ll move in ways that are not the norm,” Pool said.
Returning to Huntsville roots
Pool also shared his personal connection to Huntsville. “Years ago, at the end of the Jesus Movement, I actually served on staff at University Heights Baptist Church,” he said. “I was the music, youth, and education minister—all in one—and I grew to have a fond affection for your community. That was the home of our first house, and my wife and I are looking forward to coming back.”
A call to unite in prayer and mission
Pool encouraged students, churches and ministries throughout Walker County to come together for the evangelistic training. “When people are transparent and willing to get right with God and with those they’ve hurt or offended, God blesses that,” he said. “Revival starts when people come together.”
He also urged believers to connect with OneCry’s prayer network. “If people have a heart for revival, we would love for them to connect,” Pool said. “They can go to onecry.com and sign up to receive prayer calendars and resources. The fame of revival spreads the flame of revival.”
A growing movement of faith
Local ministry leaders say Tuesday’s event reflects the growing hunger for spiritual renewal among students at SHSU and beyond. As Pool put it, “There’s great hope in Christ. This generation—they’re either extremely lost and radical in their lostness, or extremely saved and radical in their salvation. And that’s why we’re seeing God move.”
About OneCry
OneCry is a national movement calling believers to seek God together for personal renewal, church revival, and spiritual awakening across the nation. The ministry provides prayer guides, revival resources, and regular updates highlighting how God is moving on campuses and in communities worldwide. To learn more, get involved, or access free materials, visit www.onecry.com.
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