Transformation in the Presence of God: an interview with Dr. Ian R. Hall

PneumaReview.com: You have been in ministry for many years, please tell our readers a little bit about the different kinds of ministries that you have been involved in.

Dr. Ian R. Hall: For 17 years I was a pastor and evangelist first with the Church of the Nazarene and then with the Elim Pentecostal Church, UK. Also, served as an adjunct faculty member at Elim Bible College, UK. In 1978, together with my wife and son, I emigrated to the USA where I served for 11 years as an Associate Professor at North Central Bible College (NCU), Minneapolis, MN.

Ian and Sheila Hall

In 1988, my wife and I were appointed by Assemblies of God World Missions as Missionary Evangelists to Europe, becoming resident missionaries in Romania. In 1996, I was appointed the first President of Elim Evangelical Theological Seminary, Timisoara, until June 2004 when it was handed over to Romanian leadership. I then served of the faculty of Eastern European Bible College, Oradea, until 2010, when I was transferred to Special Assignment with AGWM, taking us to Africa, India, the Republic of Georgia and back to Europe.

PneumaReview.com: In this interview we would especially like to speak with you about your book Times of Renewal: A History and Theology of Revival and Spiritual Awakenings. When did you become interested in revivals and awakenings?

Ian Hall: When I met Duncan Campbell in Sheffield, UK, in 1959. This gave me a great hunger for revival and to experience it.

PneumaReview.com: The text covers a very long period of human history. About how long did it take you to research and write the book?

Ian Hall: For more than 40 years of research, teaching on revival and experiencing revival.

PneumaReview.com: Times of Renewal is also very global in scope. In addition to the United States, please tell our readers some of the other countries whose revivals you have included in the book?

Ian Hall: Biblical Revivals in the Old Testament affected the whole of the Middle East, subsequent Revivals embraced much of Europe and North Africa, leading to more Evangelical Awakenings that have included the majority of the countries of the world.

PneumaReview.com: In your research what are some of the key things you have found that have occurred before revival or awakening takes place?

Ian Hall: A deep hunger for God, resulting in praying through to God which prompted greater faith in God, obedience to his word and humility and confession before God.

PneumaReview.com: What characteristics do revivals share in common?

Ian Hall: A strong sense of God’s presence and repentance from former disobedience.

PneumaReview.com: What differences might they have?

Ian Hall: Some revivals began with the leadership of the churches and others began with individuals being awakened to their spiritual plight and to God’s presence which often led to intense prayer.

PneumaReview.com: Is there a particular revival that you find to be especially interesting?

Ian Hall: Every revival is fascinating to me. It is my passion, especially having been involved in revivals in England, Germany and Romania.

PneumaReview.com: What would you say to someone who does not see the value of studying past revivals?

Ian Hall: As an avid student of History, I find past revivals inspiring and encouraging for praying through for future revivals. Do it again Lord!

PneumaReview.com: The original English text of your book was published in Romania. Are there plans for the book to be published in the United States in the near future?

Response from G. Paul Hendrickson:

The Second Edition will be published in the U.S. by Encourage Publishing. We don’t have a date for availability yet (and the U.S. publishing / printing world is running slow these days), but all is moving forward toward having the Second Edition available in the next couple months.