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Toronto Blessing

The Toronto Blessing was a charismatic Christian revival movement that originated on January 20, 1994, at the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and became known for its emphasis on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through ecstatic physical and emotional manifestations, including uncontrollable laughter, weeping, shaking, and reports of spiritual and physical healings.^[1]^[2] The revival began during a series of meetings led by American pastor Randy Clark at the church, pastored by John and Carol Arnott, where an initial Thursday night service attended by about 120 people experienced an intense spiritual atmosphere that persisted for weeks, drawing larger crowds and prompting the church to extend services indefinitely.^[1]^[3] By summer 1994, the church's original 400-seat facility proved insufficient, leading to relocation to a larger warehouse space accommodating up to 4,000 people, as the phenomenon attracted international visitors seeking personal renewal.^[1] Central to the Toronto Blessing were reports of diverse manifestations interpreted by participants as signs of God's presence and empowerment, such as people falling to the floor in a state of rest (often called "carpet time"), spontaneous joy leading to holy laughter, and instances of emotional catharsis through crying or groaning, which were seen as pathways to inner healing and deeper faith.^[1]^[2] These experiences were framed within the broader Vineyard Movement, founded by John Wimber in the 1970s, which emphasized the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in contemporary worship, though Wimber himself later expressed reservations about some aspects of the revival's intensity.^[2] The term "Toronto Blessing" was coined by British media in 1994 as the revival spread rapidly across Canada, the United States, and beyond, influencing charismatic and Pentecostal communities in at least 34 countries through visiting pastors and laypeople who "carried" the anointing back to their home churches.^[1]^[3] Over its duration, which extended until around 2006, the movement drew an estimated two million visitors to the Toronto church alone, fostering a global wave of renewed evangelism, charitable activities, and emphasis on divine love within evangelical circles.^[1]^[2] In 1996, amid tensions with the international Vineyard Association over doctrinal differences, the church rebranded as Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (later Catch The Fire Toronto), continuing to host revival-focused gatherings.^[3]

Origins and Development

Beginnings at Toronto Airport Vineyard Church

The Toronto Airport Vineyard Church was founded in 1987 by John and Carol Arnott, who began with a small home group that grew into a congregation of approximately 100 members by the early 1990s.^[1]^[4] The church, affiliated with the Vineyard movement, initially met in rented facilities near Toronto's Pearson International Airport and emphasized charismatic worship and healing ministry under the Arnotts' leadership.^[1] By 1993, the Arnotts had been seeking spiritual renewal, including a trip to Argentina in November where they experienced an impartation during meetings led by Assemblies of God pastor Claudio Freidzon, whose revival services featured intense [Holy Spirit](/page/Holy Spirit) encounters.^[1]^[5] This experience prompted the Arnotts to invite Randy Clark, a Vineyard pastor from St. Louis, Missouri, to minister at their church from January 20 to 23, 1994.^[1]^[5] On the first night, with about 120 attendees, Clark shared his testimony of personal renewal, leading to an unexpected outpouring during prayer ministry that included physical manifestations such as weeping, uncontrollable laughter, and people falling to the floor under the influence of the Holy Spirit.^[1]^[5] The Arnotts, recognizing the significance of these events, extended Clark's visit for several weeks and committed to sustaining nightly meetings, which continued almost uninterrupted except for Mondays.^[1] Under the Arnotts' guidance, the church experienced rapid growth, with regular attendance tripling to over 1,000 within the first year as word of the renewal spread locally.^[1] By summer 1994, the original 400-seat venue proved inadequate, necessitating a move to a larger 4,000-seat facility in November, where evening services often drew 2,000 participants.^[1] However, the phenomena drew scrutiny from Vineyard leadership, culminating in the church's disaffiliation from the movement on December 5, 1995, due to concerns over the nature and explanation of the manifestations.^[6] Following the split, the congregation renamed itself Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship in early 1996 to reflect its independent status.^[6]

Key Events and Spread (1994–1995)

The Toronto Blessing renewal ignited on January 20, 1994, at the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church during a four-day series of meetings featuring guest speaker Randy Clark, where approximately 120 attendees experienced intense spiritual manifestations, including falling under the power of the Holy Spirit.^[5]^[7] Building briefly on the initial outpouring from a New Year's Eve service the prior week, these events marked the explosive start of the movement, drawing immediate local attention and prompting extended nightly meetings that continued for months.^[5] By March 1994, word of the phenomena had spread internationally, attracting visitors from across North America and Europe to the small 400-seat facility, with estimates of 20,000 to 30,000 pilgrims arriving in the first six months alone.^[8] This influx necessitated organizational adjustments, culminating in November 1994 when the church relocated to a larger facility, a former conference centre on Attwell Drive east of the airport, to accommodate the growing crowds.^[1] By December 1994, weekly attendance had surged to over 4,000, reflecting the rapid escalation in scale.^[9] The movement's dissemination accelerated in mid-1994, notably influencing Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London through a visit by Eleanor Mumford, wife of a Vineyard pastor, who returned in May 1994 and shared the experiences during a prayer meeting; curate Nicky Gumbel subsequently incorporated similar manifestations into HTB services by June.^[10] In the United States, connections emerged to Rodney Howard-Browne's ongoing "laughter revivals," as the Arnotts had previously been impacted by his ministry, fostering parallel outbreaks of holy laughter and physical responses in Vineyard and independent charismatic circles.^[11] John and Carol Arnott began early international ministry tours in 1995, visiting over 20 countries to share the renewal, which ignited similar phenomena in local churches worldwide.^[12] Media coverage amplified the spread, with British newspapers coining the term "Toronto Blessing" in summer 1994 to describe the phenomena, framing it as a surprising revival amid the church's humble airport location.^[1]^[5] By the end of 1995, the church reported hosting hundreds of thousands of visitors cumulatively, establishing key milestones in the movement's early global reach.^[8] Organizationally, the Vineyard movement initially endorsed the renewal as a legitimate outpouring but grew concerned over its emphasis on unconventional manifestations; this led to a temporary suspension in oversight during 1995, followed by full disaffiliation on December 5, 1995, when the Toronto church was released to operate independently as the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship.^[6]

Characteristics and Phenomena

Manifestations and Experiences

The Toronto Blessing was characterized by a range of spontaneous physical, emotional, and spiritual manifestations reported by participants during gatherings at the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church (later known as Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship or TACF), beginning in January 1994. Core phenomena included uncontrollable holy laughter, often described as an overflow of joy akin to being "drunk in the Spirit," as well as physical shaking or jerking movements interpreted as responses to God's overwhelming presence.^[13] Other common experiences encompassed deep weeping, roaring like animals (such as a lion, symbolizing prophetic release), and falling "slain in the Spirit," where individuals would collapse to the floor under the perceived power of the Holy Spirit, sometimes remaining there for extended periods.^[13] Sensations of intense heat or electricity-like surges through the body were also frequently noted, contributing to the vivid, multisensory nature of these encounters.^[13] Participants often recounted profound personal transformations during these events, including physical and emotional healings, deliverance from spiritual oppression or past traumas, and a renewed passion for God. For instance, individuals reported instant relief from chronic illnesses, such as Heidi Baker's healing from double pneumonia upon arriving at a meeting,^[14] alongside emotional breakthroughs that fostered deeper intimacy with Jesus. A sociological survey of over 1,000 attendees conducted by researcher Margaret Poloma in 1995 found that 92% felt more in love with Jesus afterward, 82% experienced increased motivation to share their faith, and many described a lasting sense of refreshment and spiritual vitality that persisted for hours or days without coercion.^[13] These experiences were emphasized as non-manipulated and organic, emerging spontaneously rather than through emotional hype. Meetings typically featured extended periods of worship and preaching, followed by ministry times focused on impartation through the laying on of hands, without a rigid liturgy. A distinctive element was "carpet time," during which those "slain in the Spirit" would rest on the floor—often covered with carpets for comfort—allowing time for inner healing and reflection, as the Holy Spirit was believed to perform restorative work in participants' hearts. Eyewitness accounts from pastors John and Carol Arnott, who led TACF, highlighted the atmosphere of uncontainable joy and divine refreshment; John Arnott recalled services where manifestations like laughter and falling over dominated, leading to visions and prophetic insights, while Carol Arnott noted the profound sense of God's fatherly love enveloping attendees.^[13] These phenomena were generally framed theologically as evidence of the Holy Spirit's active renewal, though interpretations varied.^[13]

Theological Explanations and Practices

The Toronto Blessing was theologically framed as a sovereign outpouring of the Holy Spirit intended for the renewal and refreshment of believers, echoing the Pentecostal events described in Acts 2 and the prophetic promises in Joel 2:28–30.^[15] Leaders emphasized that this movement was not initiated by human effort but by God's initiative, manifesting as a divine touch that revealed the Father's profound love and addressed deep emotional and spiritual needs.^[1] Central to this theology was the Holy Spirit's role in healing inner wounds from past traumas, such as childhood hurts, and restoring joy as a fruit of the Spirit, often through experiences of laughter and peace that transformed participants' relationships with God.^[15] Practices associated with the Toronto Blessing included impartation sessions, where leaders laid hands on individuals to convey the anointing of the Holy Spirit, serving as a catalyst for personal encounters with God.^[15] Soaking prayer was encouraged, involving extended periods of quiet absorption in God's presence to facilitate deeper intimacy and healing, sometimes lasting hours or days.^[15] To prevent manipulation, facilitators avoided pressuring participants to respond in specific ways, instead allowing the Holy Spirit's work to unfold naturally without human orchestration.^[1] Teachings on discernment stressed evaluating manifestations by their alignment with the fruit of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22–23, such as love, joy, peace, and evident life transformation, rather than sensationalism alone.^[15] In his 1995 book The Father's Blessing, John Arnott articulated these theological elements, portraying the phenomena as fulfillments of biblical patterns of revival while adapting them to contemporary charismatic worship, with an emphasis on God's paternal affection as the core driver of renewal.^[15] Church guidelines reinforced orderly conduct during services, drawing from 1 Corinthians 14:40 to prohibit disruptive excesses, such as animal-like noises during sermons, ensuring that meetings remained focused on worship and edification.^[15] These practices aimed to foster authentic spiritual growth, occasionally resulting in physical manifestations like shaking or falling, which were interpreted as signs of the Spirit's healing power.^[1]

Influences and Connections

Links to Prior Revival Movements

The Toronto Blessing exhibited notable similarities to earlier revival movements, particularly in the realm of emotional and physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The 1904 Welsh Revival, led by figures like Evan Roberts, featured widespread emotional outpourings, including weeping, joy, and spontaneous conversions, which paralleled the Toronto events' emphasis on intense affective responses during worship.^[16] Similarly, the 1906 Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, originating under William J. Seymour, involved physical phenomena such as falling under the Spirit's power, shaking, and glossolalia, echoing Toronto's reports of participants collapsing and exhibiting involuntary movements.^[17] In the more immediate context, the 1980s ministry of South African evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne introduced "holy laughter" as a key manifestation, where attendees experienced uncontrollable laughter attributed to the Holy Spirit; this directly influenced Toronto leaders, as John and Carol Arnott attended his meetings in June 1993, witnessing similar phenomena that primed them for the 1994 outpouring.^[16] Direct influences on the Toronto Blessing stemmed from contemporary renewal movements, notably Randy Clark's 1993 exposure to the Argentine revival. Clark, pastor of a Vineyard church in St. Louis, visited meetings led by Carlos Annacondia and Claudio Freidzon, where he observed mass healings and impartations of spiritual anointing that converted thousands; this experience equipped him to minister at the Toronto Airport Vineyard in January 1994, catalyzing the Blessing's initial manifestations.^[12] The Arnotts themselves traveled to Argentina in November 1993, attending crusades by Annacondia, Freidzon, and others, where they received prayers for renewal that they later described as pivotal to their church's transformation.^[1] Additionally, the Vineyard movement, founded by John Wimber in the 1970s, provided a foundational framework through its promotion of "power evangelism," which integrated signs, wonders, and healing into regular church practice, influencing the Toronto church's openness to supernatural encounters prior to the Blessing.^[17] Theologically, the Toronto Blessing traced its lineage to post-1960s Pentecostal and charismatic traditions, building on the second wave of charismatic renewal that crossed denominational lines and the third wave's focus on apostolic restoration. It drew from the Latter Rain movement of the late 1940s, which emphasized the outpouring of spiritual gifts and the restoration of the church's prophetic voice, themes echoed in Toronto's prophetic impartations and expectations of global renewal.^[17] The Kansas City Prophets, active in the 1980s under leaders like Bob Jones and Paul Cain, further shaped this heritage with prophecies of an end-times revival involving dramatic Holy Spirit encounters, which resonated with Toronto participants' visions of widespread church transformation.^[17] Despite these connections, the Toronto Blessing diverged from its predecessors in key emphases, prioritizing personal emotional healing and inner renewal over large-scale evangelism or apocalyptic urgency. While earlier revivals like Azusa Street centered on salvation and societal impact through preaching, Toronto focused on therapeutic experiences such as being "drunk in the Spirit" for emotional restoration, with less stress on conversion metrics or end-times prophecy.^[17] This shift reflected the Vineyard's therapeutic model but marked a departure from the evangelistic fervor of Annacondia's Argentine campaigns.^[12]

Impact on Later Revivals and Churches

The Toronto Blessing significantly influenced subsequent revival movements, most notably the Brownsville Revival that began on June 18, 1995, at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida. Randy Clark, whose ministry at the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church ignited the initial outpouring in January 1994, played a pivotal role in catalyzing this event through his preaching and the spread of similar manifestations, as church leaders and attendees from Brownsville had visited Toronto and experienced the phenomena firsthand.^[18] Similarly, the Smithton Outpouring, which erupted in March 1996 at Smithton Community Church in Missouri under pastors Steve and Kathy Gray, drew directly from the Toronto model, with leaders attributing their renewal to encounters with the Blessing's emphasis on Holy Spirit encounters and physical manifestations. These offshoots contributed to the formation of the global Catch the Fire network, which by the early 2000s had established churches in over 20 countries, fostering a decentralized charismatic movement centered on revival experiences.^[19] The original Toronto church underwent substantial expansion following the Blessing, rebranding from Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship to Catch the Fire Toronto in 2010 to better reflect its international revival focus and to distance itself from past associations.^[20] This rebranding accompanied the launch of Catch the Fire World, a formal network focused on equipping and training leaders in revival practices.^[21] Complementing these efforts, training schools such as the School of Ministry were developed to impart the Blessing's practices, training leaders in prayer ministry, healing, and prophetic impartation to replicate the outpouring in local congregations.^[1]^[22] By 2000, over 10,000 churches worldwide reported direct influence from the Toronto Blessing, particularly through networks like Iris Global, founded by Heidi and Rolland Baker after their 1995 visit to Toronto, which has planted over 10,000 churches in Africa and Asia inspired by leaders touched during Toronto visits.^[23]^[24] This scale underscored the Blessing's role in broader charismatic renewal waves during the late 1990s and early 2000s, including its contribution to the early formation of the New Apostolic Reformation by emphasizing apostolic networks and supernatural ministry.^[25] Specific catalysts for global spread included John and Carol Arnott's world tours from 1995 to 1996, during which they ministered in over a dozen countries, leading to localized outbreaks of similar phenomena in places like Australia, Europe, and Asia.^[12] For instance, their visits to churches in the Philippines and South Africa resulted in sustained renewal meetings that mirrored Toronto's emphasis on joy, healing, and extended worship.^[12] These tours, often co-led with figures like Randy Clark, solidified the Blessing's export as a blueprint for revival among independent charismatic groups.^[26]

Reception and Responses

Support and Endorsements

The Toronto Blessing received early endorsement from key figures within the Vineyard movement, including its founder John Wimber, who in 1994 expressed cautious optimism about the phenomena at the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church, viewing them as a potential renewal while advising focus on core scriptural teachings.^[9] Vineyard national coordinator Todd Hunter also affirmed trust in the movement's leadership under Wimber's oversight, noting widespread attendance among Christians due to this confidence.^[9] Similarly, Vineyard leader Jack Deere, a former Dallas Theological Seminary professor who joined the third wave charismatic renewal, actively promoted the Toronto Blessing as part of authentic Spirit-led experiences during its initial spread.^[27] In the United Kingdom, curate Nicky Gumbel of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) played a pivotal role in promoting the Blessing within Anglican charismatic circles, introducing similar prayer practices that led to manifestations of laughter and joy during services in 1994.^[10] Gumbel's involvement helped integrate the Toronto Blessing into HTB's Alpha Course framework, fostering its adoption among Anglican communities seeking spiritual renewal.^[28] The movement gained broader acceptance within charismatic denominations, including the Assemblies of God, where leaders like pastor Karl Strader invited related revivalists and observed parallels in ecstatic worship and healing emphases that aligned with Pentecostal traditions.^[11] Missionary Heidi Baker provided a notable testimonial, describing her 1997 visit to the Toronto church as a transformative encounter that renewed her ministry in Mozambique, crediting it with restoring joy and empowering global outreach.^[14] Defenders of the Toronto Blessing argued for its authenticity based on observable fruits such as increased conversions, healings, and church growth; for instance, Toronto Airport Vineyard reported over 5,000 decisions for Christ and numerous healings from conditions like paralysis and infertility during 1994–1995.^[9] Conferences like the "Catch the Fire" events in late 1994 and the January 1995 anniversary gathering, which drew 4,000 attendees, further affirmed it as a legitimate revival, emphasizing renewal over mere emotionalism.^[9] Its ecumenical reach extended to non-Pentecostal settings, with some Catholic charismatic groups experimenting with similar practices of expectant prayer and impartation, drawing on the broader Charismatic Renewal's openness to such phenomena while maintaining doctrinal caution.^[29]

Criticisms and Controversies

The Toronto Blessing faced significant theological criticism from cessationist perspectives, which argue that miraculous spiritual gifts ceased after the apostolic era, viewing the movement's manifestations as unbiblical emotionalism or even demonic influence. Prominent cessationist John MacArthur described the phenomena, such as uncontrollable laughter and shaking, as "bizarre" and a departure from scriptural norms, emphasizing that true Holy Spirit work prioritizes doctrinal depth over experiential excess. Critics like MacArthur contended that the emphasis on physical manifestations overshadowed biblical teaching, potentially leading believers to prioritize subjective experiences over objective scripture.^[30] A major controversy arose in December 1995 when the Association of Vineyard Churches severed ties with the Toronto Airport Vineyard, citing "excesses" including reports of attendees making animal-like sounds and other disruptive behaviors during services.^[6] Vineyard leader John Wimber, who initially supported the movement, expressed concerns over the lack of theological balance and the potential for these manifestations to distract from gospel proclamation, leading to the church's disaffiliation after prolonged discussions. This split highlighted internal tensions within charismatic circles about the boundaries of acceptable spiritual expressions. Hank Hanegraaff, in his 1997 book Counterfeit Revival, accused the Toronto Blessing of manipulation and spiritual deception, labeling leaders like John Arnott as promoting "fabrications and fantasies" through exaggerated claims of revival.^[11] Hanegraaff argued that the movement's focus on sensational phenomena, such as "holy laughter" and falling under the Spirit's power, resembled hypnotic suggestion rather than authentic divine activity, urging discernment to avoid counterfeit spiritual experiences.^[31] Media coverage in the British press during 1994 amplified skepticism, with outlets sensationalizing the phenomena as bizarre or cult-like, contributing to public wariness and portraying the events as frenzied rather than reverent.^[32] Reports often highlighted unusual behaviors like roaring or rolling on the floor, framing them through a lens of ridicule that fueled broader doubts about the movement's legitimacy among non-participants.^[8] In response to critics, John and Carol Arnott maintained that the Toronto Blessing was biblically grounded, encouraging evaluation by its spiritual fruit such as renewed passion for prayer and evangelism, rather than engaging in direct polemics.^[1] They clarified that manifestations were secondary to scriptural teaching, advising attendees to test experiences against the Bible and dismissing accusations of excess by pointing to transformed lives as evidence of authenticity.^[33]

Legacy and Ongoing Influence

Effects on Global Christianity

The Toronto Blessing significantly influenced worship practices in charismatic churches worldwide, promoting extended sessions of "soaking" prayer where participants lie or sit quietly to receive the Holy Spirit's presence, often leading to experiences of rest, healing, and emotional release.^[34] This approach, originating from the 1994 outpouring at what became Catch the Fire Toronto, contrasted with more structured traditional services by emphasizing prolonged, unstructured encounters with God, and it spread rapidly through conferences and visiting teams to churches in North America, Europe, Australia, and beyond.^[35] Laughter, shaking, and other physical manifestations during worship became normalized in many settings, fostering a culture of spontaneous joy and vulnerability.^[36] Sermons increasingly highlighted the theme of God's fatherly love, shifting focus from judgment to relational intimacy, which resonated in global charismatic gatherings post-1995.^[1] Theologically, the movement popularized models of inner healing—addressing emotional wounds through prayer—and impartation, where spiritual gifts are believed to be transferred via laying on of hands or presence.^[34] These concepts gained traction through resources from Catch the Fire leaders, including books like Guy Chevreau's Catch the Fire: The Toronto Blessing—An Experience of Renewal and Revival (1995), which sold widely and influenced millions via translations and media distribution in over 100 countries.^[37] Such materials integrated into training programs and publications, embedding these ideas into charismatic theology and practice, with emphasis on experiential faith over doctrinal rigidity.^[38] The Blessing contributed to the broader expansion of charismatic Christianity, coinciding with growth from approximately 463 million adherents in the mid-1990s to over 635 million by 2020, particularly in the Global South where renewal practices aligned with local expressions of faith.^[39] In Africa and Latin America, it played a role in fueling revivals by inspiring similar outpourings, such as in Kenyan and Brazilian churches, where soaking and impartation enhanced Pentecostal dynamism amid rapid church planting.^[40] By the 2010s, its elements permeated contemporary Christian music, with songs evoking intimate worship and joy featured at global conferences like those hosted by Hillsong and Bethel Church.^[41] During the COVID-19 pandemic, adaptations included widespread online streaming of soaking sessions from Catch the Fire Toronto, enabling virtual impartation and sustaining global participation despite lockdowns.^[42]

Current Status and Reflections

In 2010, the church rebranded from Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship to Catch the Fire Toronto and established the global network known as Catch the Fire World, focusing on encountering God's presence and transforming communities through worship and ministry.^[19] Annual conferences, such as the Catch the Fire Conference held in May and September, continue to emphasize Holy Spirit encounters and teaching, drawing participants from around the world while maintaining elements of the original revival's emphasis on spiritual renewal.^[43] John Arnott, co-founder and longtime leader, remains active in international ministry post-2020, speaking on themes of revival, the Father's love, and healing, with recent engagements including events in Brazil and U.S. churches as of 2025.^[44]^[45] Recent developments include expanded digital resources, such as an online library of archived sessions, worship materials, and training courses accessible via the organization's platforms, alongside youth ministry programs like the annual Youth Ministry Pop-Up for pastors to foster student engagement in charismatic practices.^[46]^[47] Scholarly reflections, such as those in Margaret M. Poloma's 2003 book Main Street Mystics: The Toronto Blessing and Reviving Pentecostalism, assess the phenomenon as a legitimate renewal within charismatic Christianity, highlighting its role in fostering emotional healing and community despite initial excesses and institutional challenges.^[48] While no major new outbreaks of the intense 1990s-style manifestations have occurred, the Toronto Blessing maintains sustained influence in charismatic circles through ongoing teaching and networks.^[49] The legacy of the Toronto Blessing is often viewed as a pivotal bridge connecting 20th-century Pentecostalism to 21st-century global charismatic expressions, revitalizing emphasis on experiential faith and emotional openness in worship.^[49] Retrospectives offer mixed evaluations on its long-term sustainability, praising its contributions to personal transformation and church growth while noting difficulties in replicating its initial fervor amid evolving cultural contexts.^[17]

References

[1]
THE TORONTO BLESSING: WHAT IS IT? — John & Carol Arnott
Dec 31, 1999 · The press in England dubbed this anointing the "Toronto Blessing." By summer 1994 our original 400-seat hall in the warehouse facility became ...
[2]
The Toronto Blessing: An Evaluation of its Critics and Proponents
This paper evaluates the Toronto Blessing, a revival phenomenon that began in 1994 at the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church. It highlights the contrasting ...
[3]
Main Street Mystics: The Toronto Blessing & Reviving Pentecostalism | Request PDF
**Summary of Factual Details on the Toronto Blessing:**
[4]
History - Catch The Fire Barrie
In 1987, John and Carol Arnott, Jeremy and Connie Sinnott and a number of others gathered to begin a new Vineyard church in Toronto.
[5]
1994 Toronto, John Arnott, Randy Clark - Revival Library
On January 20, 1994, the Father's blessing fell on the 120 people attending that Thursday night meeting in our church. Randy gave his testimony, and ministry ...
[6]
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Leaders of the Anaheim, California- based Vineyard Association of Churches last month voted to sever ties with the controversial Airport Vineyard.Missing: renaming disaffiliation
[7]
[PDF] THE TORONTO 'BLESSING' (1996) - The Methodist Church
1.2 On 20th January 1994, the Toronto Airport Vineyard Fellowship began a four-night series of meetings. The senior pastor, John Arnott, and the leadership team ...
[8]
What Was The Toronto Blessing: Move Of Holy Spirit Or Fraud?
Jul 25, 2024 · On the 20th of January 1994, a meeting with Randy Clark took place in the Toronto Vineyard and the phenomena broke out. Very soon, news spread ...
[9]
ARTICLE: Toronto's Mixed Blessing - Christianity Today
On January 20, 1995, one year after the birth of the renewal, Clark returned to preach—only this time, to an anniversary crowd of 4,000. On a typical night, ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
[10]
Laughing for the Lord - Time Magazine
Aug 15, 1994 · Curate Nicky Gumbel prays that the Holy Spirit will come upon the congregation. Soon a woman begins laughing. Others gradually join her with ...
[11]
The Counterfeit Revival: Rodney Howard-Browne and the “Toronto ...
Long before Randy Clark's January 1994 trip to Canada, Toronto Airport Vineyard pastor John Arnott was being conditioned for what was to follow. As his wife, ...Missing: origins | Show results with:origins<|control11|><|separator|>
[12]
Final Decade, Twentieth Century Revivals: Blessing Revivals
Apr 28, 2014 · “On January 20, 1994, the Father's blessing fell on the 120 people attending that Thursday night meeting in our church. Randy gave his ...<|separator|>
[13]
Manifestations of the Holy Spirit: Responses to Commonly Asked ...
Aug 28, 2025 · By John Arnott Over the years, one of the most frequently raised issues concerning the revival that began in Toronto in 1994 has been that ...Missing: Blessing | Show results with:Blessing
[14]
[PDF] THE FATHER'S BLESSING by John Arnott - operation ezra
So I went to John and Carol Arnott's meeting with a completely open mind. I ... were doing “carpet time,” and the Holy Spirit wasn't finished. We ...
[15]
None
Below is a merged summary of Rodney Howard-Browne's influence on the Toronto Blessing (TB) and its links to other revivals, consolidating all information from the provided segments into a comprehensive response. To maximize detail and clarity, I will use a combination of narrative text and a table for chronological events and key details, ensuring all data is retained. The response avoids speculation and sticks strictly to the provided content.
[16]
[PDF] The Toronto Blessing: Key to Evaluating Recent Revivals
Apr 9, 2014 · The church was abandoned when the Whites divorced in 2007, but in 2012, Randy White sought to restore the building for use as a satellite campus ...Missing: sources | Show results with:sources
[17]
Controversial Revival, Part II - Global Awakening
Jan 20, 2020 · Global Awakening was birthed by Randy Clark in January 1994 as a result of God using him to bring the fire of revival to the Toronto Airport Christian ...
[18]
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Global Awakening was birthed by Randy Clark in January 1994 as a result of God using him to bring the fire of revival to the Toronto Airport Christian ...
[19]
Catch The Fire
Catch The Fire is a family of churches, encountering and living in God's presence, manifesting his love and transforming our cities. Find a church near you.We are the local church. · Catch The Fire Schools · Who We Are · Missions Home
[20]
The Toronto Blessing - An Overview - Truth in Reality
Sep 16, 2012 · Pastors John and Carol Arnott founded the Toronto Airport Vineyard church around 1988. It met in various rented locations throughout Toronto ...
[21]
Toronto Blessing Church 'Exports' Revival Through New Network
Aug 2, 2010 · ... Vineyard denomination in 1995. Renamed Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, the church organized a fellowship of likeminded churches called ...Missing: disaffiliation | Show results with:disaffiliation
[22]
The Toronto Blessing and ACNA – A Living Text
Recipients of the “Toronto Blessing” have planted over 10,000 churches, seen over a million conversions, and have expanded their work to include ten African ...
[23]
What is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)?
Nov 6, 2023 · The Toronto Blessing of 1996, seen as a global revival moment by ... Iris Global (as it is now called) claims to have planted over 10,000 churches ...
[24]
Jack Deere - religious cults, sects and movements - Apologetics Index
Apr 5, 1998 · Deere promotes the Toronto Blessing Movement, including the Manifest Sons of God doctrine. According to information on Jack Deere's homepage ...
[25]
Nicky Gumbel on encounters with the Holy Spirit - Philosophy for Life
Nov 5, 2015 · Nicky Gumbel is one of the most successful evangelists of his generation. A former barrister, he's now the vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB).
[26]
Toronto Blessing: 'The Greatest Thing that's Happened in the ... - CBN
Jun 22, 2018 · This revival known as the Toronto Blessing began at Pastor John and Carol Arnott's church next to the Toronto airport, where guest speaker Randy Clark was ...
[27]
Toronto Blessing; analyzed according to Catholic Mystical Theology
John teaches that if anyone denies Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4:3) it is proof that the person does not have the Spirit of God. We can call this ...
[28]
https://www.philosophyforlife.org/blog/nicky-gumbel-on-encounters-with-the-holy-spirit
[29]
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Jun 10, 2009 · The deceptions of the Counterfeit Revival include both visionary hoaxes and revisionary history. Its leaders appeal to one of the leading figures in American ...
[30]
The 'Toronto Blessing' - Christian Medical Fellowship
It is easy to become sceptical. At a time like this when things are happening in the Churches (some of which are rather bizarre), it is easy to become cynical.Missing: sensationalism | Show results with:sensationalism<|control11|><|separator|>
[31]
(PDF) The Toronto Blessing: An Evaluation of its Critics and ...
May 30, 2021 · Poloma, Margaret M. "The "Toronto Blessing": Charisma, Institutionalization, and Revival." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 36, no.
[32]
Catch the Fire: Soaking Prayer and Charismatic Renewal
Soaking, the authors reveal, is a metaphor for practices like resting in the Spirit, prayer for spiritual gifts, healing, prophecy, impartation, and supports ...
[33]
Soaking Prayer | Archive content - Premier Christianity Magazine
Jan 26, 2014 · The Toronto church sees soaking prayer as one of the main ways in which they encourage people to be open to the Holy Spirit. The more usual way ...
[34]
John and Carol Arnott: Soaking in the Spirit - CBN
As a result of soaking in God's presence, people's lives have been transformed from restored marriages to healed bodies.
[35]
Catch the Fire : The Toronto Blessing an Experience of Renewal ...
The remarkable story of The Toronto Blessing and the religious revival that has sparked worldwide curiosity and enthusiasm.Missing: impact media
[36]
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[37]
Pentecostal/Charismatic Christianity - Gordon Conwell
May 27, 2020 · This movement grew from 58 million in 1970 to 635 million in 2020. The Global South is home to 86% of all Pentecostals/ Charismatics in the ...
[38]
Spirit and Power – A 10-Country Survey of Pentecostals
### Summary of Statistics on Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians (1990s-2000s) and Revivals
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The musical rhetoric of charismatic revival: continuity and change in ...
Mar 14, 2022 · ABSTRACT. Renewal movements like the Toronto Blessing and the signature form of 'encounter' offered at Bethel Church influence Pentecostal ...
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Here is a quick update from our lead pastor, Steve Long ... - Facebook
Mar 13, 2020 · 1:50:13. Catch The Fire Toronto Sunday Service | 11:15am EST. Oct 26 ... Watch for the social media and go to our website CTF Toronto.
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Catch The Fire Conference 2025: Behold Him | 8-10 May, 2025
We are hosting this annual 3-Day Conference to intentionally make space for Holy Spirit and life-changing encounters, powerful worship, and Bible-Based, Spirit ...
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John & Carol Arnott
John & Carol Arnott are pastors who have spent over thirty-five years ministering in the anointing and shepherding revival. Founders of Catch The Fire network ...About John & Carol · Store SALE · Itinerary Archive · Contact UsMissing: post- | Show results with:post-
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John Arnott (@JohnCarolArnott) / Posts / X
Having a fantastic time in Brazil at the moment. God is moving so powerfully here. Those of you who love our Harvest Gardens ministry, can you help me activate ...
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Catch The Fire - Facebook
Rating 4.4 (14) Mar 21, 2025 · CATCH THE FIRE GROW ONLINE RESOURCES AND LIBRARY Explore Catch The Fire's online resource library including archived online sessions, ...<|separator|>
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Youth Ministry Pop-Up 2025 - Catch The Fire
This Grow@ Catch The Fire Popup will provide Catch The Fire Youth Pastors an opportunity to connect and grow in our student ministry. We will discuss philosophy ...Missing: digital | Show results with:digital
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Street Mystics: The Toronto Blessing & Reviving Pentecostalism, by ...
Main Street Mystics: The Toronto Blessing & Reviving Pentecostalism, by Margaret M. Poloma. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press, 2003, 288 pp., $26.95 (Paper); ...Missing: reflections | Show results with:reflections
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The Enduring Revival - Christianity Today
Mar 7, 2014 · The 'Toronto Blessing' in 1994 was odd and controversial—but its benefits have lasted.Missing: growth 24/7 rooms