In an extraordinary display of Christian unity, the global prayer event Gather25 took place in late February, attracting around 7 million participants from 225 nations and territories. This remarkable 25-hour event, spearheaded by renowned Bible teacher and bestselling author Jennie Allen, featured live gatherings in seven locations, alongside over 21,000 groups convening in homes and churches worldwide.
Jennie Allen, the visionary behind the IF:Gathering, a ministry dedicated to empowering women through Gospel-centered resources, expressed her astonishment at the overwhelming turnout. “I have honestly just had a hard time processing it,” she remarked. “It feels a little pretend, like a crazy dream, because there were so many ways it could have gone wrong. We depended on technology that barely existed. We were on the cutting edge of what AI can do with translations.”
The concept for Gather25 was birthed from a vivid dream Allen experienced in 2022, which instilled a sense of urgency to reach people with the Gospel. “I woke up with that same urgency — to reach as many people as possible with the Gospel as quickly as we can,” she shared. This vision rapidly expanded, inviting the global Church to engage in collective prayer and revival.
Throughout the event, Allen highlighted the miraculous use of AI-driven translation technology, which enabled real-time communication across language barriers. “We are living in Pentecost,” she stated, drawing a parallel to the biblical events of Pentecost and the Tower of Babel. “For the first time since Pentecost, languages have been a barrier. And so, this is a miracle. The only reason the global Church was able to gather for the first time is that technology.”
The emotional impact of Gather25 was profound, with countless moments of worship that left Allen in tears. A particularly poignant moment occurred when the Watoto Children’s Choir from Africa performed, with one child declaring, “Jesus is enough for my suffering.” This moment resonated deeply with Allen, whose son hails from Africa, underscoring the event’s significance.
The scale of participation was staggering, with over 20,000 individuals stepping up to host gatherings, ranging from intimate home meetings to large church events with thousands in attendance. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the event’s content, participants trusted that God was at work. “As confident as I was that the Lord had called me to it, there still was a part of me that wondered, like, God, are you in this? Are you going to show up?” Allen reflected. “And God did it. We are the fish and loaves story.”
As Allen observed the global Church’s renewed hunger for unity and prayer, she expressed hope for a significant spiritual awakening. “I think when it really happens, there will be no denying it. The whole Church will know,” she said. “But I’m in rooms where I see it. I’m watching it happen on college campuses, in churches, in cities around the world.”
Looking ahead, Allen remains committed to fostering this momentum. “For the places that we aren’t experiencing a harvest yet, keep sowing. I’m just praying that the Lord has favor on our generation, that He really would pour out mass revival and that many, many souls would be saved.”
For those who missed the live event, the full Gather25 experience is available for free at Gather25.com. “What you’ll see,” Allen promises, “will give you great hope that the Church is alive, well, and thriving.”
This unprecedented event not only showcased the power of prayer but also highlighted the potential for technology to bridge gaps and unite believers across the globe. As the Church moves forward, the spirit of Gather25 will continue to inspire and ignite a passion for prayer, worship, and unity in Christ.