Revival and Rees Howells Podcast
Revival, Rees Howells and Miracles. The Cory Lee Show: A Conversation with Revival Historian and Author Mathew Backholer
Ignite your faith and prepare for revival! Join us as we dive into a passionate exploration of living fully for God, the power of Holy Spirit revival, and inspiration from the extraordinary life of Rees Howells. Join us, on the Cory Lee Show, as host Cory Lee welcomes Mathew Backholer, a passionate revival historian, author, and missionary, for an inspiring and faith-stirring discussion about Christian revival, missions, and the enduring legacy of Rees Howells.
Recorded as part of Cory Lee’s mission to build leaders and transform culture, this episode delves into Mathew’s personal spiritual journey, his experiences in global missions, and his deep dive into the life of Rees Howells, a pivotal figure in Christian revival history.
With a blend of personal anecdotes, historical insights, and spiritual reflections, this conversation offers listeners a profound exploration of what it means to live a life surrendered to God’s calling. Mathew Backholer’s journey began at the age of 10 when he repented of his sin and put his trust in Jesus Christ, being born again, this followed by a powerful baptism in the Holy Spirit that set him on a lifelong path of faith. However, it wasn’t until he was 21 that Mathew fully committed to a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, moving beyond routine religious practices to a heart wholly devoted to Him.
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A pivotal moment came in 1997 when Mathew attended the Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida. There, amidst fervent worship and preaching, the Holy Spirit called him to attend the Bible College of Wales, founded by Rees Howells in 1924. This divine encounter marked a turning point, leading Mathew and his brother to study at the college, where they later served as staff members.
This experience ignited a passion for revival history and missions, shaping Mathew’s life work. The episode highlights Mathew’s extensive work as a revival historian, particularly his focus on Rees Howells, a Welsh intercessor and founder of the Bible College of Wales whose faith and obedience influenced global missions and revivals.
Mathew shares how, after a divine vision where he was commissioned by the Holy Spirit, he spent years researching and writing a series of books on Rees Howells, including Rees Howells’ God Challenges the Dictators and Rees Howells, Life of Faith. These books bring fresh insights and previously unpublished archival material to light, enriched with historical images that vividly connect readers to Howells’ legacy. Mathew’s storytelling emphasises Howells’ radical obedience, from purchasing large estates for ministry to funding missionary work in China, all guided by the Holy Spirit.
Cory and Mathew also explore the nature of Christian revival itself. Mathew describes revival as “God rending the heavens and pouring out His Spirit,” transforming individuals and societies through conviction of sin, repentance, and divine encounters. He draws on historical examples, such as the Welsh Revival (1904–1905), where society was so transformed that courts had no cases to try, and the Brownsville Revival (1995-2000), where hundreds sprinted to the altar nightly to surrender to Christ. Mathew emphasises that revival begins with believers getting right with God, leading to a ripple effect that draws others to faith.
His accounts of divine appointments during missions in places like China and Nepal underscore the power of obedience to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, from sharing the gospel to supporting the persecuted church with Bibles.
Throughout the conversation, Mathew shares stories of personal transformation, such as seeing miraculous healing and his own experiences of hearing God’s voice, whether through a quiet whisper while fishing as a boy or a profound vision commissioning his work on Rees Howells.
Mathew encourages listeners to seek personal revival, pray for the persecuted church, and support global missions, emphasising that God’s transformative power is as active today as in past revivals. He points to scriptures like 2 Chronicles 7:14 and the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), urging believers to humble themselves and seek God’s will for revival in their lives and nations.
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