LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Asbury University, the site of a now 11-day "revival," says it will no longer allow people to worship at Hughes Auditorium 24 hours a day. 

The school's president, Dr. Kevin J. Brown, said he's trying to balance the incredible moment happening at the school and the needs of its students and their academic experience.

IMAGES | Thousands gather at Asbury University for days-long 'revival' service

He went on to say they will increase security, prayer and ministry support, and event management.

The "revival" has attracted people from all over the world, leaving long lines to get in. This weekend, services will be only held in the afternoon and evenings with a priority for high schoolers and people 25 or younger.

Canaan Yan, a sophomore at Asbury, says people from around the world have traveled to the college campus.

"Because of this people's lives changed," Yan said. "I know Brazil, I heard somewhere in Asia, Europe."

Starting Monday, the afternoon service will be open to the general public but the evening service will be reserved for high schoolers and people 25 or younger.

The final public evening service will be held Sunday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. But public worships will continue in the afternoons through Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.

Starting Friday, Feb. 24, evening services will be hosted at other locations and no longer be held at the university.

The influx of people to the campus did provide some challenges for students who call the school home.

Asbury University has been overwhelmed by crowds of worshippers.

"Sometimes it can be a little hard for students because we are more than use to having a small campus and having these spaces privately to ourselves and now it has become more and more public," Yan said. "Sometimes it can get a little annoying."

Abby Laub, communications director of Asbury University, said the campus will return to normalcy.

"We recognize life for the students had to return to normal, they have to go to school, they have midterms next week," Laub said. "They know this is a gift, they have received it as a gift, so we are going to charge them with: now you take this to your job, your family, your church."

The mission will continue beyond the service.

"I feel as though maybe we were the candle and now we are just passing that flame on to other churches and other schools," Yan said.

The university will also no longer allow live streaming of the service.

The new guidelines from the university are listed below:

  • Seating is limited in Hughes Auditorium, and there is a wait time to be seated. Be prepared to stand outside, potentially for a significant amount of time. We encourage visitors to consider attending one of the simulcasted gatherings across the street in Estes Chapel, McKenna Chapel, and at GCF/Wilmore UMC.
  • We ask that you do not livestream or broadcast anything from indoors, out of respect for others and what God is doing here.
  • The only guest bags allowed in Hughes Auditorium will be diaper bags, medical bags, or clutch wallet. All bags will be searched.
  • No flash photography inside Hughes Auditorium.

For more information on the list of rules and changes to worship, click here.

The full statement from President Dr. Brown can be read below:

As we end this week and approach the next, I write to openly share important campus updates and new plans that have been established.

As an Asbury University leader, there is a tension I am trying to faithfully navigate at this time. On one hand, I humbly recognize we are experiencing a historic moment on our campus. Never in my life have I witnessed such manifest spiritual hunger—from our students to the nations—to humble ourselves and seek the Lord’s face. Books could be (and will be) written recounting the incredible stories and experiences of inspiring humility, altar consecration, neighborly love, and life-changing commitments. When I walk into Hughes Auditorium, I have a firsthand picture of the fruit of the Spirit.

As a university, our first commitment is to foster the minds and hearts of students who have been entrusted to us and who are central to our mission. We know the last week has been a disruption to the continuity of their academic experience. Students have not only had to juggle various campus commitments (academic, athletic, extra-curricular, internship) with our various campus services, but also the throngs of people who have entered the dimensions of their space. For some, this has created a sense of being unsettled and even alienation from their campus community.

While I remain profoundly grateful that staff, faculty, and students get to be a part of God’s unique and powerful work on our campus, I want to be mindful of my mandate as a fiduciary of Asbury’s resources and student-centric mission.

After much prayer and discussion with campus leadership, I am announcing our new schedule for the next week. This schedule is an attempt to recognize and steward this beautiful, historic moment of spiritual renewal while quickly moving toward a more sustainable campus experience for our students that fosters predictability, well-being, and continuity.

Along with a new schedule, we are working with several groups to increase security, prayer and ministry support, event management, and overall logistical planning.

I have been so inspired and encouraged by the life-transforming renewal experienced by students and guests alike. I have also been deeply inspired by the incredible spirit of our Asbury staff, faculty, and students. I have seen men and women go far above and beyond in every way imaginable to accommodate our visitors so they can encounter the Lord on our campus. I have seen faculty and staff work between classes to bring order, usher lines, pass out water, and pray with students. I have had students share their desire to make space for guests to experience what they have.

Never in my life will I forget this. Never in my life have I been so proud to say that I am a part of Asbury University. I write this with tears. The people here are so special.

Thank you for your patience, and thank you for lifting up our school, our mission, and our students in prayer.

— Kevin J. Brown, Ph.D.

President, Asbury University

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