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As rededication events take place across the U.S.A., I am reminded of just how important divine connections are. On May 8, 2026, Coach Joe and Denise Kennedy joined intercessors from across Pennsylvania to Recount, Reclaim, and Rededicate Wilkes-Barre, PA, back to God.
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Most of the incredible people who took part in the rededication traveled no less than two hours to be there, with Coach Joe and Denise Kennedy having traveled the farthest distance from Florida. We met at the exact location where Billy Sunday held his revival services in a massive tabernacle in 1913.
I want to go back a bit and explain how this all came to be. Imagine, if you will, that you are watching your favorite television show and there is a soft fade to a flashback.
Many of you may recall the pure joy we felt gathering in Washington DC to celebrate Intercessors For America’s 50th anniversary. It was one of the most influential moments of my life. I remember feeling the Holy Spirit moving among us as we prayed and praised.
I will never forget meeting PA State Leaders at the time, Bill and Betsy West. There was an instant connection, and I felt heard, seen, and loved by them.
I shared that I was serving as a school board director in my local school district and the heaviness that it carried. Bill and Betsy prayed over me and commissioned me to go forth and take down the spiritual giants afflicting our school district with the breaker anointing. It was a powerful moment for me, and I finally felt as though someone understood the battle I was facing.
I began participating in the weekly IFA PA prayer calls at Betsy and Bill’s invitation. I was so grateful to have an army of intercessors with whom to pray specifically for our state. My best friend (Amy Jo Herring) and I attended a Prophetic conference at Tim Sheets’ church with Betsy and Bill. Later in that year, we met in Gettysburg for a Gatekeepers conference with one of our legislative champions, Senator Doug Mastriano. This was an atmosphere-shifting and shaking time of prayer and intercession to take back territory from the enemy.
When Betsy and Bill were promoted to Regional Field Leaders, we gained a wonderful State Leader, Libby Chapman. About a year later, a call went out seeking a three-strand cord—two co-leaders to serve alongside Libby. I felt the Lord prompting me to respond, and I was both honored and delighted when my application was accepted. Shortly thereafter, the incredible Lori Crabtree joined as the third State Leader, completing the leadership team.
It is truly a blessing to be a part of the team of fine State Leaders who raise up prayers each week for their respective states. We have a powerhouse of intercessors in Pennsylvania and throughout this country. The prayer calls are Holy Spirit fire-anointed.
Betsy and Bill were not the only divine connections that were made while in DC at the IFA 50th celebration. I had the pleasure of meeting two of my heroes. I will never forget when they were introduced, and I reached over and grabbed my best friend’s arm and excitedly said, “It’s them! Can you believe they are here? This is so cool! This is a dream come true!” I had told so many people their story.
These two individuals remained steadfast and persevered in what seemed like an endless battle for First Amendment rights under the Constitution of the United States of America. To have one’s job taken away for silently praying on the 50-yard line following football games is unfathomable.
When the verdict from the SCOTUS was rendered in favor of the saints, I was overjoyed, and all this in the same month that Roe v. Wade was overturned, while the most radically progressive administration held power in the federal government. God is utterly amazing, and He hears the prayers of the faithful.
By now, you may have figured out that the coach to whom I am referring is Coach Joe Kennedy and his beautiful wife, Denise. They are true Americans and spiritual heroes! I saw my chance to talk with them, and I took it. They were kind and sweet from the start, with Joe being a real jokester.
I asked Coach Joe for his contact information. At the time, I did not have a fully formed plan, but deep in my spirit, I felt strongly that one day there would be an event where he and Denise would play a vital role.
We stayed in touch over time, even texting while I watched his movie, Average Joe, which was such a surreal experience. We reconnected at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2025, where we once again discussed the possibility of partnering together for an event someday.
Then, in the fall of 2025, Amy Jo and I were asked to help organize a National Day of Prayer event at Back Mountain Harvest Church. As we prayed about it, we both felt led by the Holy Spirit to invite Coach Joe and Denise to participate, and amazingly, they were available.
Together, we planned a National Day of Prayer event, an American Spiritual Heritage Project event, and a movie watch party with a meal with the youth beforehand. Coach Joe and Denise immediately embraced the vision, even though the church did not have the budget to bring them in.
Still, we prayed, trusted God, and stepped out in faith. As always, God made a way. Every need was met; obstacles were overcome, and His faithfulness was evident through it all.
Although the American Spiritual Heritage Project event was originally planned as part of the National Day of Prayer service, circumstances beyond our control changed those plans just weeks before the event.
As I prayed for direction, I felt the Holy Spirit leading us to hold the gathering at the historic site of Billy Sunday’s tabernacle in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Standing on that sacred ground brought a deep sense of peace, hope, and expectation.
Betsy West helped spread the word through email blasts, and I invited members from our prayer calls to join us. What first felt disappointing quickly became a powerful reminder that God’s plans are always greater than our own. As Amy Sabat said, we made a “quick pivot,” and it unfolded more beautifully than we could have imagined. Looking back, it is clear that God had been orchestrating every detail all along.
One of the giants of faith who joined us that day was Matt Hammack and his family, along with several wonderful people from our home church community. Matt was another powerful divine connection God brought into my life through my work on the school board.
Matt and I had the privilege of interviewing Pastor Tim Walker of Restored Church, who shared the rich history of revival throughout the Wilkes-Barre region. Listening to him speak felt like uncovering spiritual treasures and remembering God’s faithfulness through generations.
He shared how the Moravian movement reached Northeastern Pennsylvania in the 1750s and 1760s. These believers carried such a burden for the Gospel that some sold themselves into slavery to minister to enslaved Africans and were among the first to minister to First Nations peoples. Their sacrifice left a spiritual legacy that still echoes today.
Throughout the years, revival continued to spread across the region. Churches united, prayer movements were born, and lives were transformed. The Welsh Revival ignited Wilkes-Barre in 1904, and in 1913, Billy Sunday’s six-week revival meetings led more than 16,000 souls to salvation. Bars closed, families were restored, and entire communities were changed by the power of God.
In the decades that followed, ministries like Youth for Christ continued to impact generations of young people throughout the area. Though the region later endured significant hardship, including the devastation of Hurricane Agnes, the spiritual heritage and wells of revival in Wilkes-Barre remain, waiting to be re-dug and restored.
God moved powerfully there before, and we believe He can do it again.
Pastor Walker stated, and Matt reiterated, that revival often begins through the obedience of one person. Even before fully understanding the depth of the revival history in Wilkes-Barre, I felt strongly that the Holy Spirit was leading us to invite Coach Joe and Denise Kennedy to help rededicate this region back to God. Coach Joe and Denise faithfully endured impossible battles, and through their obedience, helped secure one of the greatest victories for religious freedom in over fifty years.
During our interview, Matt reminded us that the Billy Sunday tabernacle site was near a historic Underground Railroad stop, something his wife, Jen, felt the Holy Spirit highlighting. Later, Betsy West shared that a 14-year-old girl kidnapped from Pittsburgh had been rescued in Wilkes-Barre on the very same day we were discussing human trafficking and the Underground Railroad connection. Then, just weeks later, another teenage girl was rescued in Wilkes-Barre from a dangerous situation involving a man from Germany. These moments deeply impressed upon us the urgency of prayer and intercession for the region and that God is surely moving. These rescues are prophetic for what God is about to pour out.
As we sought the Lord about where things had spiritually shifted, we learned that cable television and HBO both had their beginnings in Wilkes-Barre. Matt felt that the Holy Spirit revealed this was the broken covenant that opened the door to spiritual oppression, broken families, violence, and darkness in the area. We knew then that repentance and prayer for this needed to be our focus.
God continued to confirm His hand in all of this. Mark Malacavage from Back Mountain Harvest Church arranged for Coach Joe and Denise to appear on PA Live, where the host boldly proclaimed the name of the Lord on secular television. We saw it as a sign that God desires to redeem the media and reclaim what has been lost.
During the American Spiritual Heritage Project rededication, Denise shared that she felt they were coming to Pennsylvania to “take back territory.” As we prayed, she sensed God’s light and power flowing deep into the ground like roots, establishing something lasting, healing, and spiritually alive for generations to come.
When I look back on how all of this began—from the IFA 50th Celebration, to meeting Betsy and Bill, Coach Joe and Denise Kennedy, Matt through the school board, and the many connections that followed—I am overwhelmed by the unmistakable hand of God weaving every detail together.
What began as simple acts of obedience led to Back Mountain Harvest Church, helping organize the National Day of Prayer, serving as a Pennsylvania IFA State Leader, connecting with Pastor Walker, and even seeing the Lord being boldly proclaimed on secular local television. Every step felt divinely orchestrated.
Even the rescue of a young girl in Wilkes-Barre on the very day we were praying about the trafficking epidemic there and the spiritual history of the region reminded us that God is moving powerfully and intentionally in this area.
I stand in awe of how creative, faithful, and sovereign our God is. I truly believe He is preparing to move mightily across Eastern Pennsylvania. Multiple people, completely unconnected to one another, have confirmed that revival will start then spread from that specific area.
Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” I hold tightly to that promise with faith, expectation, and holy anticipation.
Precious Savior and Lord Jesus, revive us again. Please send forth Your Holy Spirit to prevail upon our land to bring godly conviction, leading to repentance, leading to revival. We want to see You move, God. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours. We want to see this nation be healed, delivered, and return to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How is God calling you to help reclaim and rededicate your community? Share below.
April Walker loves God and seeks to serve Him in all she does. She is a proud mom of a 19-year old son, a PA State Co-leader for IFA, a former School Board Director, an organizer for NDOP and ASHP events, a candidate for the GOP Committee for Carbon County, an occupational Therapist, and a vocalist. She feels that writing for and working with IFA brings all her passions together. Photo Credit: doidam10 via Canva Teams.
