“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
Easter Sunday – April 9, 1950 – was a very significant day in my life, and in what would become “real revival” in my hometown of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Area teenagers conducted a sunrise service, and it was a privilege to participate with several friends: Don Brown coordinated the service; Mary Greer read a poem, “What Does Easter Mean to You?”; I sang a solo: “The Unveiled Christ”; Ivan Peterson preached the Gospel message.
The following Sunday, scheduled revival services began at the First Methodist Church. They sang together the theme song “Old-Time Power,” by Paul Rader: “Spirit, now melt and move all of our hearts with love, breathe on us from above with old-time power.” The congregation sang: “We are gathered for Thy blessing, we will wait upon our God; we will trust in Him who loved us, and who bought us with His blood.”
The Gospel was sung and preached. When the invitation was presented, people began to move from pews to pray together on their knees at the altar.
They returned night after night, bringing friends and family with them, singing together again, “Old-Time Power.”
God heard and answered, and person after person knelt at the altar asking God to forgive their sins, beginning to pray earnestly for friends and family and others for whom they were concerned. And many made the determination to go to someone that they had offended or hurt, ask forgiveness, and point that person to Jesus Christ with an invitation to believe on Him personally.
Soon the word was spreading across the entire community, and pastors of Mt. Carmel area congregations determined to participate together at the Methodist gathering place.
The entire community was buzzing about what was going on as story after story was shared of people whose lives were totally rearranged and would be forever changed by God’s “Old-Time Power.” Spectacular conversions were taking place, and all glory was given to God for the magnificent life-changing happenings. Every evening the Methodist auditorium was the focal point.
The revival meetings continued until May 14, 1950.
Watching God change the lives of friends, neighbors, and even relatives, people learned to pray personally, seeking God’s will.
Young businessman Dick Capin received an offer to move to Texas to become a partner with a firm. He and his wife Jeanne followed James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach.”
In his autobiography “Giving Account,” Capin shared how a surrendered life can be used to build a portfolio of eternal riches.
In 1950, Dick accepted the Texas offer, if he would be allowed to take classes preparing to take the CPA exam.
In the prologue to “Giving Account,” Franklin Graham (president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) said that Dick Capin taught him about accountability Mr. Capin answered critics of Franklin’s ministry, having thoroughly reviewed the financial records.
Mr. Capin has often said, “One of the keys to effective leadership is to always be listening and learning, something we never get too old to do.” Franklin Graham wrote: “Listen to the words of this man who stands on the Word of God.”
The July-August 2025 issue of Decision Magazine’s theme is “Not ashamed of the Gospel.” In the lead article, “The Power of the Gospel,” Franklin says: “I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is returning soon. Until then, His church remains under orders from the King of kings and Lord of lords to take the Gospel to the ends of the Earth … The Bible says that the ‘message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’ (1 Corinthians 1:18). The redeeming work of the cross is what God uses to save the lost. The cross has always been offensive to the world, because it’s soaked with the blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Is the old-time power of God guiding you?
The all-time power of the Gospel is available to every person who will “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” and invite others.
Every afternoon at 3:33, my daughter Tami and I pray together, in person if possible, or by telephone, claiming the promise of Jeremiah 33:3. While we do not know the future, we know that God holds the future.
We’re praying for people to be willing to be laborers together. And God willing, Saturday, February 7, 2026, TTT will celebrate 60 consecutive years – Telling The TRUTH to/through teenagers.
Let’s acknowledge: the power is of God.