Anecdotal evidence should not be used to make important decisions. However when you are hoping for a profound change on a wide scale personal experience can be an encouragement for your hope. Many are yearning for the free American culture, which is the heritage of the reformation. For those who are hoping and praying for a revival on the scale of the greatest revival in world history, the Reformation, there are several stories in and around Akron to encourage their hope.
First you can point to Faith Presbyterian Church in Akron which was formed within the conservative denomination, the PCA, in the 1970's. The Presbyterian church is still largely anti-Christian, but there is a growing minority among Presbyterians which has returned to the orthodox doctrines of the reformation from whence they came. The PCA was formed to fill the void created by the liberalization of the Presbyterian church.
Next it is inspiriting to see graduates from one of the more conservative Baptist colleges turning to the doctrines of the Reformation. A man named Steve, though remaining devoted to some of the more distinctive Baptist doctrines, grasped the heart of Calvinistic doctrine while attending Baptist schools in Cedarville, Ohio and Grand Rapids, Michigan, before returning home. Randy took many more years to assent to the reformation, but he is quickly turning to Presbyterian doctrine. Then there is Chuck, who has become a PCA pastor since graduating from a conservative Baptist college, and Gary, who was kicked out of a conservative Baptist school because he was rapidly finding Calvinism to be the doctrines taught in scripture. Gary is presently the headmaster of Good Shepherd School in Louisville, Ohio.
The fastest growing sect of Christians in the United States of late has been the Charismatic sects. They are also one of the more Arminian sects of Christians as well. So it is very exciting to see young Kelvin, who grew up in a Charismatic church, graduate from Good Shepherd School as a thorough-going Calvinist. Even more telling than that is Joel, the pastor of a Charismatic church who resigned to start a reformed congregation in Alliance, Ohio.
Many more examples could be cited, both from the Akron area and around the world, of Protestant Christians returning to their roots, the Reformation. Those cited here, and many more, long for a wholescale return to the doctrines that formed the most free nation on earth. It has been stated that America was built on the back of John Calvin. Calvinism is far from the majority that it enjoyed at the time of the founding of this great nation, but do not despair, as Calvin would remind you, God is sovereign.
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