JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Life will return to normal on the campus of Asbury University and in the town of Wilmore once this week is through.
That’s the hope of officials at Asbury, who faced challenges they never expected after a worship service just wouldn't end. It’s now nearing day 13.
University officials originally announced on Saturday that the revival would end on this upcoming Wednesday night, with limited periods where the public could attend on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
On Sunday those plans shifted after parking and seating “exceeded capacity.” Now, Monday is the last day when members of the public can attend.
Beginning Tuesday the public service will shift to another location while high school and college-aged students will be able to attend in-person at Asbury through Thursday evening.
One reason the revival is ending is because of the impact it has had on students academically.
“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” wrote Asbury University president Dr. Kevin J. Brown. “For some, this has created a sense of being unsettled and even alienation from their campus community.”
LEX 18 spoke with a first-year student, Clara May, who explained while she wouldn't trade the experience during the revival for anything, it has been a lot to handle.
“Its been hard to keep up on academic and investing in where God wants me to invest and figuring out where I’m supposed to be at what times,” she said.
Another contributing factor has been the impact on the local community. Cars have flooded into the city in recent days, taking up parking spots and making it difficult for people who live in town to get around.
“Everything’s just kind of clogged up,” said Katie Coogan, who lives down the street from the university. She says it’s a struggle to visit the local grocery store because people attending the revival have filled the parking lot, forcing some people trying to buy their groceries to pull up to the loading dock.
Multiple other people in town who spoke with LEX 18 spoke shared similar views. They are not against the revival, but they don't like the way it has impacted their community.
“People overhauling have been overly gracious though we realize that it's been difficult. We know there has been noise we know there has been traffic so we don't want to discount those concerns,” said Abby Laub, the university’s communications director.
She said they recognize what they are doing is not sustainable because of the thousands of visitors. She added they estimate tens of thousands have come to their campus for the revival since it began. Now, it is close to the end.
“It is going to be a relief to get back to our small town life and also just be able to get to the places we need to get to,” said Coogan.
