The conference began with a spirit of prayer permeating the meetings. Dave Butts, chairman of the U.S. national prayer committee, and Daniel Henderson, president of Strategic Renewal Ministries, led prayer preconference sessions. God’s presence filled the retreat center during the preconference sessions. When the participants for the conference arrived on Monday, the atmosphere was already charged with hearts hungry and thirsty for revival.

Richard Owen Roberts and Sammy Tippit both spoke about the necessity of thirst for revival. Tippit said that “God often orchestrates the circumstances in our lives to produce a thirst for revival. He then leads us to the waters to drink from the rivers that flow from God’s throne.” The San Antonio evangelist told the attendees that many people think that the great problem with Christian workers is “burn out.” He said, “I don’t believe the problem can adequately be described as burn out. It would be better defined as ‘dehydration.’ We become so busy in the work of God that we don’t have time to stop and drink from the waters that flow from God’s throne. And that’s where the refreshing comes from.

James MacDonald spoke about the necessity of repentance while Crawford Loritts issued a call to return to our first love. Each message seemed to build upon one another. Everyone was amazed that the conference speakers had not coordinated their messages with one another. Yet, there was an incredible flow of heart felt messages from the speakers.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss spoke on the need of “fresh oil” from those involved in ministry. She told participants that every time that they stood to minister they needed fresh oil from heaven for the task. Lives were changed. Hearts were warmed. In short, a spirit of revival captured the hearts of those in attendance. God heard the “heart cry for revival.”