The Fire of God Descends
In the mountain town of Soe, Timor, during a time of political unrest in 1965, a remarkable revival began that changed the lives of thousands. It was on September 26, 1965, at the Maranatha Church in Soe, that approximately 200 people gathered for prayer and experienced what many described as a modern-day Pentecost. As Mel Tari, an 18-year-old witness, recounted, "And that night, as I was sitting next to my sister, I heard this mighty rushing sound. It sounded like a small tornado in the church. I looked around and saw nothing." This was not the only extraordinary event to occur that night. Outside, people saw flames on the church, prompting the fire alarm to be raised. Yet, when they arrived, they found the church unharmed. Tari explained, "Instead of natural fire, it was the fire of God... Heaven came down that night, and it was wonderful."
Timor Revival 1965 Brings Miracles
This revival was marked by deep repentance and renunciation of occult practices, with hundreds following a young man's lead to openly confess their sins and burn their fetishes. The revival led to miraculous events reminiscent of New Testament times. Over 30,000 people were reportedly healed, and there were even accounts of the dead being raised. On October 5, 1967, in Kampung, Aman, Soé, water drawn from a spring was transformed into non-alcoholic wine overnight, used for communion the next day.
Society Transformed by God's Power
The impact of this revival went beyond personal transformation. In regions like the island of Rote, crime rates plummeted to the point where police found themselves without work as people turned away from their former ways. The revival sparked a new passion in worship, with communal and family worship becoming vibrant and central to daily life.
Despite skepticism about some miraculous claims, the undeniable effect of the revival was a profound societal change. Jesus was credited with these transformations, as people across Timor experienced a renewed faith, leading to a wave of evangelism and a significant increase in church membership. This was a testament to the power of faith and the tangible presence of God in a time of uncertainty.
