Revival Centres International

The Revival Centres International is a Pentecostal church with

Revival Centres
its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. It has approximately 300
centres in 22 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, International
Fiji, Italy, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Malawi, the United
Kingdom and the United States of America.[1][2]

The Revival Centres was formed as a separate identity from the

Commonwealth Revival Crusade in 1958, and at a short time later
became a registered denomination pursuant to the Marriage Act
1961 (Cth), as Revival Centres of Australia.

The Church has a strong emphasis on the need to show evidence RCI Logo
of glossolalia or "speaking in tongues" to demonstrate receiving Classification Registered
the Holy Spirit to be considered a full member of the Church and a Denomination
saved Christian. Revival Centres International bases its glossolalia
teaching on a literal interpretation of Acts 2, a trait with some other Orientation Pentecostal,
Pentecostal groups. Revival Centres does not affiliate with any Evangelical
other religious organisation and are not a member of the World Polity Autonomous
Council of Churches.[3] Region Arnhem Land,
Australia,
Church genealogy Australia,
Canada, China,
Colombia,
Early history Democratic
Republic of
The predecessor of the Revival Centres was the Commonwealth
Congo, England,
Revival Crusade, which began in 1945 and was itself a
Fiji, Hong Kong,
conjunction of Assembly of God (Leo Harris) and British-Israel-
World Federation (Tom Foster) elements. In 1958, The Revival Kenya, Liberia,
Centres of Australia (as they were then known), led by Noel India, Indonesia,
Hollins and Lloyd Longfield, was formed as a schism from the Italy, Malawi,
Commonwealth Revival Crusade (a group which later became Malaysia,
Christian Revival Crusade and then CRC Churches International). Mauritius,
In 1972, the group founders split into two separate organisations – Mozambique,
with Lloyd Longfield's group remaining officially the 'Revival New Zealand,
Centres of Australia' and Noel Hollins leaving to form the Papua New
'Geelong Revival Centres' based in Geelong, Victoria.
Guinea,
Singapore, South
Carn Brae Korea,
Switzerland
One of the earliest Revival Centre purchases was in March 1966, Wales, United
when the Revival Centres paid almost $100,000 for a property in Kingdom, United
Harcourt Street, Auburn in Melbourne to develop as a church
States of America
meeting place. The land included a large seventeen-roomed
mansion which had formerly been the residence of the Lord Mayor Founder Lloyd Longfield
of Melbourne, known as Carn Brae. Nearby residents feared that
Origin 1958
the building of a hall on the property would spoil the previously
Melbourne, Aust
quiet character of the area, and their protests made newspaper
headlines both in Victoria and interstate.[4][5] Permission to build a Separated from Commonwealth
hall on the property was ultimately denied. Lloyd Longfield lived Revival Crusade
in the property for several years, and used the property for various Separations Geelong Revival
church related functions.[6] centre (1972)
Christian
Forum Theatre Assemblies
International
The Forum Theatre (formerly known as the "State Theatre") is a (1991) The
famous "Moorish Revival" style theatre located on the corner of Revival
Flinders Street and Russell Street in the central business district of Fellowship (1995)
Melbourne, Australia. When the theatre was first built by
Bohringer, Taylor & Johnson in 1929, the theatre had the largest Congregations 300+
seating capacity in Australia, holding 3371 people.[7] In 1985 it Members 20000+
was purchased by the Revival Centres International and was used Ministers 300+
as its International headquarters. In 1995 it was sold to Staged
Developments Australia, who redeveloped it for use as a film and Other name(s) Revival Centres
concert venue. of Australia
Key Pastors= Lloyd Longfield
General meeting format (founder), Simon Longfield, (Principal
Pastor) Victor Samoilenko (Liaison
The Revival Centres normally holds a midweek meeting (a small Pastor) , Geoff Beggs(Liaison Pastor).
scale house meeting) and then at least one Sunday assembly
meeting. Both meeting types are expected to contain most of the Church Homepage = [1] (https://
following aspects:[8] www.revivalcentres.org/)

Community singing or "choruses" led by a song Church Slogans = "Contending for

leader based on Christian themes. the faith", "The Truth with Proof"
Welcome and opening prayer.
Personal Testimonies, given by church members.
Sermon or "talk" given by a pastor or a male leader using Bible references.
Sharing of the Communion "elements" (bread and grape juice) representing Body and
Blood of Christ. Normally once a week at the Sunday meeting.
Operation of the Spirituals Gifts or "Voice Gifts" of the Holy Spirit by church members.
i.e. containing speaking in tongues, interpretation of that tongue and prophecy (i.e.
meaning professing the word of God).
Prayer line or "laying on of hands" for people with needs, by church leaders.
Donations or "tithing".
Church Activities Announcements.
Closing prayer.
Social time after meeting.

Spiritual gatherings and practices

A

Church Genealogy of Revival Centres International

common optional practice for Revival Centres members is to gather together

each year at various camp venues during Christmas and Easter holidays as a
Spiritual Retreat.[9] Each year the Melbourne assembly hosts an international
convention during the Australian Queen's Birthday weekend. Some countries
or zonal areas holds Annual Local Rallies over the year, usually on a localized
anniversary holiday.[10] Revival Centres members are voluntary active in
evangelising activities or "outreaching" either by personal or group
participation.[11] Various assemblies run activities for a Young Revivalists
group (generally in the 10 to 14 years age group), the Young People group
(generally 15 to 21 years age group) and the Revival Rangers group (5 to 10 The famous "Moorish
years age group).[12] Revival" style building
and previous location of
Missions Revival Centres
International HQ

Revival Centres International emphasis has been on equipping local people to

run their own assemblies. They have no standing missionaries, preferring to
train and encourage the locals in the gospel and in church leadership and therefore avoiding a paternalistic
approach. They strongly support and encourage members in the "mission fields" by regular visits, and
where financially possible, by bringing groups to the main annual convention in Australia in June each
year. Visits are made by pastors and officers as part of an ongoing program of support, but also by groups
of assembly members and young peoples groups.[13]

Statement of Beliefs
The core belief of Revival Centres International is the necessity of speaking in tongues as evidence of a
person receiving the Holy Spirit.[14] They also maintain a strong belief that God could heal them from
anything and that they have ongoing life changing transformations.[15]

The Revival Centres International's statement of beliefs are listed as follows;[16]

The infallibility of the Word of God.

Jesus is the Son of God.
The Gospel of his death and resurrection and directive to repent, be baptised, receive
the Holy Spirit.
Baptism into the Body of Christ (the Church) through the Holy Spirit with the evidence
of speaking in tongues.
The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church.
Prayer for the sick and faith healing by the power of God.
The Bible identifies the Anglo-Saxon people with the Old Testament nation of Israel,
describes modern nations and gives signs of the imminent return of Jesus.

British Israelism and statements on racism

Revival Centres International statement about British Israelism is that it draws
together Biblical and historical clues to identify which peoples represent the
fulfillment of God's promises to the Old Testament nation of Israel. They believe
that God's intention for Israel was that they would be a blessing to all the families
(nations, ethnic groupings etc.) of the earth, not that they would form some kind of
master race. Some of these "British Israel" Identification includes linking emblems
Royal coat of arms of modern-day nations to Israel emblems from the Bible, such as the UK Royal
of the United coat of arms and the seal of the president of the United States.[17][18] The
Kingdom. Dieu et identifications also includes links of the mottos of the emblems to biblical
mon droit — "God descriptions.[19][20]
and my right", Honi
soit qui mal y Revival Centres has stated that they believe that all human beings have been
pense — "Shamed created in the image of God and have equal value in God's sight and that salvation
be he who thinks ill is equally open to all human beings. They noted that they have members from all
of it" major ethnic groups and that church members share fellowship with members from
all ethnic groups and intermarry.[21]

Second Coming
The Revival Centres believes and adheres to an interpretation of Jesus' prophecies
about his soon return.[22] During the 1980s, The Revival Centres taught that
Armageddon and Jesus's return were imminent – holding events such as the
"Survival '82" outreach.
Seal of the
In a Melbourne Revival Centre book, entitled The Throne of David and the Return president of the
of Christ, at the end of chapter nine, it says "the generation of people who were United States: "E
alive in 1917 would still be alive when all the prophecies concerning the return of pluribus unum" -out
Jesus Christ reach fulfillment." The chapter acknowledges that while "1917 of many, one.
Generation" is not a Bible term, it later speculates in the same chapter that a
"generation" scripturally implies that it is forty years. This chapter explains that it
lines up with the prophesied signs of the return of Christ examined in the chapter seven as being fulfilled by
1957.[23] Therefore, Revival Centres International teaches the imminent return of Jesus Christ based on the
precept that the prophesied signs of his return have been fulfilled.[24][25]

The Stone of Scone is believed to be the Stone of Destiny and also believed to be the biblical Jacob's
Pillow Stone which is used for the coronation of many kings.[26][27][28] It is speculated by the Revival
Centres that Jesus will return and be crowned on this Coronation Stone because of its biblical
history.[29][30]

Publications
While Revival Centres International acknowledges certain books as
being useful for bible study, they have published a number of
books themselves such as "The Sabbath", "Jacob vs Esau",[31]
"The Commonwealth of Israel"[32] and "The Throne of David and
the Return of Christ".[33] They also publish articles such as "An
Introduction to the Emblems of Israel", "The Emblems of Israel"
and "Wisdom from the Preaching of the Word of God".[34]

They regularly publish a magazine called "Voice of Revival" since

1959, that gave insight into their doctrine and their life, to which
they made no claim that the magazine has infallibility, leaving such
claim only to the Word of God i.e. the Bible.[35]

In the 1980s, they had previously publish their own foolscap report
The Stone of Scone in the to deliver the various of activities in their assemblies around the
Coronation Chair at Westminster
world to all their pastors. Eventually in 1991, after encouragement
Abbey, 1885.
from Lloyd Longfield, this became a magazine, containing updated
church developments and news around the world assemblies, being
issued four times a year. Later in 1994, this magazine developed
into the "Newsletter" which includes colour photos and was issued twice-yearly in February and July. In
2006, the Newsletter was replaced by the church's online news section on their official website front page.
The online news articles are contributed by various Revival Centres International editors around the
world.[36]

A monthly email newsletter can be freely subscribed to from their official website for the public[37] as well
as free podcasts of talks[38] and free mp3 download of one of their music albums.[39]

Doctrinal schisms and refining church identity

In 1991, a number of related assemblies in Europe broke their loose connection with the Revival Centres
International and formed the Christian Assemblies International under Scott Williams. A further schism
occurred in 1995, when a large group (comprising approximately half of the Australian assemblies) aligned
with the Adelaide assembly formed The Revival Fellowship, citing a disagreement over the revised
fornication policy (i.e. church members who engaged with sex outside of marriage would no longer be able
to attend Revival Centres International in perpetuity.[40][41])

Revival Centres International, former owner of the Forum Theatre in the city, had bought the Campion
Books premises in Middleborough Rd, Box Hill South and moved in at the end of April 1998.[42] In 1998,
Lloyd Longfield handed leadership to his son, Simon Longfield, who continues to lead the group.
After a combination of doctrinal schisms and the change of leadership, a number of revisions were made to
refine Revival Centres International's spiritual direction and church identify.

Bible Numerics

In June 1999, Revival Centres International revised its position on Bible Numerics. In the past, the Revival
Centres considered Bible Numerics, as pioneered by Ivan Panin, as one of the proofs for the divine
authorship of the Bible, although it had never formed part of their statement of beliefs.[43][44]

Current Revival Centre thought is that these supposed intricate numerical patterns are in fact a feature of
any text, in any language.[45] Outlined in a Revival Centres paper, written by Geoff Beggs dated 9
February 1999, this position was formed following study and consideration of work done by a
mathematician named Brendon MacKay.[46] The original work and associated computer program was
developed by Brendon MacKay working at the Australian National University of Canberra and was used
to analyze Bible Numerics.[47]

Revision of the Code of Conduct

Years ago, Lloyd Longfield developed the "Code of Conduct" of RCI after he had become concerned
when, at a church meeting, he saw that a young man had attended the meeting with his new girlfriend
while his girlfriend of the previous week sat at the back of the church, crying. He devised the code of
conduct, which mentioned conduct which the church regarded as unacceptable.[48]

Primarily focused towards the youth of the church, the code of conduct dealt with a wide range of
guidelines for "living a righteous life" covering areas of acceptable behavior and activities to relationships
and appearances. For every topic, there was a biblical quotation and a number of propositions which follow
from that text. Its introduction stated "...these requirements are mandatory for the safety of us all. As the
worldly influences continue to grow we must become more direct in our campaign to keep unsavoury
practices out of the Church – the body of Christ!"[48]

Members failing to comply with these guidelines would be dealt with by the local pastor resulting in the
possibilities of counseling, education, restrictions/conditions in participation in church ran activities,
temporary or permanent dismissal from the church, depending on the severity of the situation.

Lloyd stated the code did not assert the guidelines within were based on a specific command in the Bible.
He said that the code contained suggestions, observations or regulations to help people apply the Scriptures
in their everyday lives and in the context of a changing world. The code was devised by the leadership of
the Church to help to contribute to the well being of its members. The code of conduct was revised each
year or as different situations arose. The code was then distributed throughout RCI.[48]

After the 1995 schism and then change of leadership from Lloyd Longfield to Simon Longfield in 1998,
Revival Centres International had a revision on the Code of Conduct. It was found that most of the rules
and regulations that were written in the code were based on many moral dilemmas concerning fornication
and other behavioral problems that the people of the church faced. It was concluded that many rules and
regulations contained in the code of conduct had not stressed enough the importance of personal ownership
for each members' actions and in practice had problems de-emphasizing many other individual/external
influence on each set of circumstances that church members faced.

The intention of the code of conduct was to address broader areas of concerns that church members,
especially young people, would find the most pressure, misleading information or harm to their spiritual
walk. The onus is now focused on each church member to " . . . work out your own salvation with fear and
trembling."[49] This means in practice that each church member is encouraged to accept the guidance of
scripture in these matters.

The natural result of this revision means that there was more allowance for church members to take even
more personal responsibility for their spiritual growth and less personal intervention by the church oversight
unless it was absolutely necessary or there was an urgent concern raised. Therefore, the "Code of Conduct"
was removed and combined with the church's simplified stand against fornication among members since
1995, had greatly clarified many decision making within the Church members in aspects of their own
spiritual walk. This also means there was a moving away from the oversight being seen as a type of
confessional outlet and being more of a "shepherd" or "guide".

Criticism
The Church's beliefs and practices have given rise to some criticism over its treatment of members and
former members.[50] In mid-April 1998, weeks prior to the church moving in the Campion Books premises
in Middleborough Rd, Box Hill South from the Forum Theatre, some former members of Revival Centres
International spoke out, via the Whitehorse Gazette, in a bid to warn Whitehorse residents of the
organisation's impending move to the area so as to raise community awareness about the Church. The
Whitehorse Gazette also covered the group founder, Lloyd Longfield's response in dismissing such
concerns.[42]

Concerns raised by some former members includes the use of guilt, fear, shame and mind control as well as
church activities occupying members time spent away from other non-membered family. Other concerns
raised by former members were that group members are unable to criticise or question the leaders in any
way or associate with any other churches.[42] These concerns were also raised by the Australian journalist
Tom Tilley who wrote about his upbringing in the Revival Centres in the 2022 memoir “Speaking in
Tongues”[51] Lloyd Longfield says that the Revival Centres International did not believe it was the only
true Church but did believe its teachings were the only true way. He dismissed suggestions the group was a
cult or controlled and dominated its members. "You come along and have a wonderful experience in the
Lord", he said. "You are born again and from that time on you walk, carefully and more reasonably."
"Every religious group is a cult. I suppose they say these things because they think we're out of line."

Longfield said those who left the group did so because they could not follow the Bible. He denied
members were told to ignore them. "Some people leave because the group doesn't suit them. They cut
themselves off 90 per cent of the time", he said. "It's not that no one can speak to them, they're just not in
fellowship any more. They have different interests and we don't see them any more." Longfield said
Church members were welcome to discuss concerns with the leaders but those who left the Church chose
not to.

Longfield defended the Church's actions of "disfellowshipping" members for breaking the rules. He said in
other churches people who disobeyed the Bible were given a "smack on the wrist" and were allowed to
keep attending services. "The church as a rehabilitation centre is ridiculous", Longfield said.[42]

See also
Pre-Adamite
Ten Lost Tribes

References
1. Revival Centres International - About Us (http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/about_assemblies.
 htm) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20070615194432/http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/
about_assemblies.htm) 15 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
2. Australasian Pentecostal Studies journal, http://aps.webjournals.org/default.asp?id=
{D78783D5-CCB1-46C0-A7EE-628757FBF743}
3. "Revival Centres International - FAQ" (https://web.archive.org/web/20080115194412/http://w
ww.rci.org.au/faq/faq_church.htm#affiliate). Archived from the original (http://www.rci.org.au/f
aq/faq_church.htm) on 15 January 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
4. The Herald newspaper, 3/3/66
5. The Sun newspaper, 5/3/66
6. Truth article 'Sect that makes a Fortune', 5/9/70
7. Thorne, Ross, Picture Palace Architecture in Australia, Sun Books Pty. Ltd., South
Melbourne, Victoria, 1976.
8. Revival Centres International - About Us (http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/about_meetings.ht
m) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080115204748/http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/a
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9. Revival Centres International - About Us (http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/about_camps.htm)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080115212421/http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/abo
ut_camps.htm) 15 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
10. Revival Centres International - About Us (http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/about_rallies.htm)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080115212442/http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/abo
ut_rallies.htm) 15 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
11. Revival Centres International - About Us (http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/about_outreach.ht
m) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080115212431/http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/a
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12. Revival Centres International - About Us (http://www.rci.org.au/about_us/about_yrs.htm)
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13. Revival Centres International - Missions (http://www.rci.org.au/missions/index.htm) Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20080111022740/http://www.rci.org.au/missions/index.htm) 11
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14. Revival Centres International - Beliefs (http://www.rci.org.au/believe/tongues.htm) Archived
(https://web.archive.org/web/20080115204837/http://www.rci.org.au/believe/tongues.htm) 15
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15. Revival Centres International - Personal Stories (http://www.rci.org.au/testimony/index.htm)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20080111022800/http://www.rci.org.au/testimony/inde
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16. Revival Centres International - Beliefs (http://www.revivalcentres.org/believe/index.htm)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20070830210725/http://www.revivalcentres.org/believ
e/index.htm) 30 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
17. Barker, Brain, The Symbols of Sovereignty, The Alden Press, Oxford, 1979
18. Ransome, Cyril, A Short History of England, Longmans Green & Co., 1897
19. A.J. Ferris, Britain and America Revealed as Israel
20. Murray, C.M., Tracing Our Celto-Saxon Roots
21. Revival Centres International - FAQ (http://www.rci.org.au/faq/faq_bi.htm) Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20080115194359/http://www.rci.org.au/faq/faq_bi.htm) 15 January 2008
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22. Revival Centres International - Beliefs (http://www.revivalcentres.org/believe/return.htm)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20060824030346/http://www.revivalcentres.org/believ
e/return.htm) 24 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine
23. The Throne of David and the Return of Christ (http://www.revivalcentres.org/bible_studies/td
arc/index.htm) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20070902181032/http://www.revivalce
ntres.org/bible_studies/tdarc/index.htm) 2 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
24. Revival Centres International - Beliefs (http://www.rci.org.au/believe/return.htm) Archived (htt
ps://web.archive.org/web/20080115204831/http://www.rci.org.au/believe/return.htm) 15
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25. Revival Centres International - FAQ (http://www.rci.org.au/faq/faq_prophetic.htm) Archived (h
ttps://web.archive.org/web/20080115194430/http://www.rci.org.au/faq/faq_prophetic.htm) 15
January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
26. The Westminster Abbey Guide Book
27. Ferris, A.J., The Throne of David found in Britain
28. Fox, John S., The World's Greatest Throne
29. Durrant, Colonel J.H., The Throne of David and the Return of Christ
30. Milner, W.M.H., M.A., The Royal house of Britain an Enduring Dynasty.
31. Nankivell, J.F., Jacob versus Esau
32. Durrant, Colonel J.H., The Commonwealth of Israel.
33. Durrant, Colonel J.H. The Throne of David and the Return of Christ
34. Revival Centres International - Bible Studies & Articles (http://www.revivalcentres.org/bible_
studies/index.htm) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20070830232600/http://www.reviva
lcentres.org/bible_studies/index.htm) 30 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
35. Revival Centres International - Publications (http://www.revivalcentres.org/publications/vor/i
ndex.htm)
36. Revival Centres International - Publications (http://www.revivalcentres.org/newsletter/pre-19
96/index.htm) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20070906230508/http://www.revivalcen
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37. Revival Centres International (http://www.revivalcentres.org/newsletter/online/index.htm)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20070830232546/http://www.revivalcentres.org/newsl
etter/online/index.htm) 30 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
38. Revival Centres International - Bible Studies & Articles (http://www.revivalcentres.org/talks/in
dex.htm)
39. Revival Centres International - Music (http://www.revivalcentres.org/music/index.htm)
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20070829180339/http://www.revivalcentres.org/musi
c/index.htm) 29 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine
40. Niall, Jake, 'Church Loses Flock over Fornication Fight', 9 July 1995, Sunday Age
41. Marx, Anthony. 'Unforgiving' Church Hit By Exodus Over Hardline Sex Policy The Brisbane
Courier Australia, 1995.
42. Doyle, Julie. Church Moves in Amid Concerns, Whitehorse Gazette, 15 April 1998.
43. Panin, Ivan, The Shorter Works of Ivan Panin, 1934:
44. Panin, Ivan, The Inspiration of the Scriptures Scientifically Demonstrated, 1899.
45. Revival Centres International - FAQ (http://www.rci.org.au/faq/faq_misc.htm) Archived (http
s://web.archive.org/web/20080115194420/http://www.rci.org.au/faq/faq_misc.htm) 15
January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
46. http://www.rci.org.au/faq/biblenumerics.pdf
47. Mackay, Brendon, 1997, Panin's Panic (http://cs.anu.edu.au/~bdm/dilugim)
48. Jubber v Revival Centres International, Victorian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal 62 (7 April
1998)
49. Bible, Philippians 2:12
50. See, e.g., ABC Radio, 'New Life – Sue Durrant, Life Matters, 27 April 1998.
51. "Tom Tilley: losing my religion" (https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/tom-til
ley-speaking-in-tongues-pentecostal-losing-faith/13869082). ABC listen. 12 May 2022.
Retrieved 12 October 2023.

External links
The Revival Centres International Official Website (https://www.revivalcentres.org/)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Revival_Centres_International&oldid=1179764846"