Book Review
By Darold H. Morgan, President Emeritus of the Annuity Board of the SBC
Riding the Wind of God
Bruce McIver
(Smith & Helwys, Macon, GA, 2002, $27.
The interestingly, understated sub-title of this book is A Personal History of the Youth Revival Movement. Don`t let this deter you from reading this genuinely exciting history, for there is far more to it than one might think.
For anyone that is interested in spiritual renewal, this is your book. Additionally, for anyone who knows Baptist church life in the 1945-1960 timeframe when Southern Baptists were growing like wildfire, this delightful and powerful story is for you.
Rarely does this reviewer read a book through in one setting, but this he did because it is beautifully written, skillfully crafted, and humorously presented. It depicts people, places, and principles that must not be forgotten.
To those who knew Bruce McIver, the book brings into focus a whole host of strong memories that come together with a profound realization that his last dream is more than adequately accomplished. With gentle pathos we realize that he is not around to hear our laughter, our comments of deep appreciation, or our pointed criticisms of why he said it in a certain way.
God called Bruce to heaven just a few weeks short of completing the manuscript. Despite months of serious illness, he determined that the finishing touches to the book would be realized because the story of this heaven-sent Youth Revival Movement must be told.
McIver`s book makes us aware that immense gains for the kingdom of God were accomplished through a series of revivals-gains that are still bearing rich fruit. With all that has happened to the Baptist Zion in the last quarter of a century, it is invigorating to read (with an overwhelming gratitude) what God did through a group of college students in Texas and beyond, as World War II wound down and the roaring fifties gained momentum.
Baylor University, the Texas Baptist Student Union, W. F. Howard, Jess Moody, Charles Welborn, Howard Butt Jr., Bill Cody, Ralph Langley, and a gangly young preacher from North Carolina named Bruce McIver-plus many other people and institutions-come together in this fascinating story of revival. The movement captured thousands of young people for the kingdom of God, and it led also to a bumper crop of new pastors, missionaries, church staff members, and an infusion of new lay leaders in churches of all denominations. The revival movement also produced a wonderful new generation of business leaders committed to Christian ethics.
One of the finest quotes in the book is voiced by Kenneth Scott Latourette, the famed church historian from YaleUniversity. He concluded that the Youth Revival Movement, which began at Baylor in 1945, was as vital and far-reaching as any revival movement in recent history.
The strength of McIver`s book is apparent. Not only is it well-written, reflecting careful research, it is also simply hilarious. It is as honest and forthright as truth itself.
Let me select two main lessons among many that could be emphasized. One is the extraordinary place of prayer as key to the actual success of this spiritual awakening. That prayer is of primary importance in awakenings in Christianity is beyond doubt. Here we have a fresh confirmation of that principle. The story of the prayer meetings on the campus of BaylorUniversity seems like pages out of the Book of Acts.
Another lesson points to the ethical commitments of this rowdy, talented group of men and women who were used so uniquely of the Lord in this Youth Revival Movement. W. F. Howard, leader of the Texas Baptist Student Union, not only brought his organizational skills to this fledgling group, but Howard set high ethical standards for participants to follow. These revival novices not only understood the meaning of an ethical lifestyle, but also they exampled high moral standards. (Sadly today the ministry of too many good men and women has been ruined due to a lack of basic Christian ethics.)
Because of McIver`s untimely death in December, 2001, John Pierce wrote the last chapter. Though the Baptist Today editor`s style is different from McIver`s, his documentation of the power of the revival beyond the Southwest is superb.
Bruce McIver`s history of the Youth Revival Movement deserves a wide reading, not just by Baptists, but by Christians everywhere. Get a copy of this book. Put one in your church library. Share the book with any who needs to be reminded that spiritual renewal can come in unexpected ways. To read the book is to hope that God will bring the winds of true revival our way once again-hopefully soon!
