Asbury President Dr. Kevin Brown Accepts Faith on Fire Award on behalf of Asbury University
May 23, 2024
On May 6, the Midwest Prayer Breakfast honored Asbury University with the “Faith on Fire Award” for Asbury’s impact in the lives of Gen Z around the world as a result of the Outpouring. Hosted by the Midwest Foundation, the Midwest Prayer Breakfast (modeled after the annual Washington, D.C., National Prayer Breakfast) brings together Midwest Michigan’s business, governmental and spiritual leaders in a time of fellowship and prayer.
“It is a true privilege for Asbury University to receive the 2024 ‘Faith on Fire’ Award from the Midwest Prayer Breakfast,” said Asbury University President, Dr. Kevin Brown. “The award recognizes two important things. First, by referencing the 2023 Outpouring, the award is an acknowledgment of the spiritual hunger exhibited by younger generations and how that hunger is being met. Second, the award recognizes the extraordinary men and women at Asbury University — their spiritual temperature, holy imagination, and willingness to make room at the table for tens of thousands of guests to descend upon Asbury’s campus and experience a transformative encounter with God. We are honored and very grateful.”
The “Faith on Fire” award recognizes a person or organization that has put their faith into action in a way that inspires those around them to a deeper faith, with the recipient receiving a $50,000 gift from the Midwest Foundation to support their organization’s mission.
“Watching the accounts of Asbury students, faculty and staff during the Outpouring at Asbury in February 2023 provides our world with hope in the midst of chaos and darkness,” said The Midwest Foundation Chair, J.C. Huizenga. “We saw Asbury’s Gen Z students leading the way to an awakening around the world. The humility of Asbury’s leadership and their steadfast focus on Christ is why we selected Asbury University for the Midwest Foundation’s “Faith on Fire” award that was presented at the Midwest Prayer Breakfast.”
The 2023 “Faith on Fire” recipient was Maggie Gobran, or “Mama Maggie,” founder and CEO of the non-profit charity Stephen’s Children (in Cairo, Egypt). Gobran received many awards including the 2022 “Arab Woman of the Year,” the 2020 “BBC 100 Inspirational and Influential Women” Award, the 2019 “International Women of Courage” Award from the U.S. Department of State and the 2019 “William Wilberforce” Award, as well as having been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize, most recently in 2022.
“We’re honored to be hosting our second annual Midwest Prayer Breakfast – the event is a testament to our shared commitment to faith and unity in a world often divided,” Dr. Joseph Stowell (honorary committee chair) told the Grand Haven Tribune. “This gathering serves as a beacon of hope, bringing together diverse voices to pray for our city, state and country. It reminds us of the power of coming together, fostering understanding, and nurturing the bonds that strengthen our communities.”
Serving as the prayer breakfast’s keynote speaker was No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and radio host, Eric Metaxas. His works include: “Is Atheism Dead?” “Martin Luther,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Miracles.” Soon to be released, the movie “Bonhoeffer” is based on Metaxas’ bestselling biography of the same name.
On Feb. 8, 2023, what began as a routine Wednesday morning Chapel service with the Asbury University student body turned into a multiweek Outpouring that some have described as a revival. Led by students, the services attracted college students from hundreds of other colleges and universities, beginning as soon as Wednesday evening. Since then, the community has worked to share what God did, and spread the Gospel and testimonies of life change. The events lasted for 16 days, culminating in a service specifically for Gen Z students on Feb. 23, 2023. Yet, the Lord continues to move across the Wilmore community, Kentucky, the United States, and the world. Learn more.