Catch the Fire : The Toronto Blessing an Experience of Renewal and Revival

by Guy Chevreau

Catch the Fire explores the remarkable work of God known as "The Toronto Blessing." Newspapers, television and radio reports have been buzzing with stories of whole congregations laughing, weeping, and falling under the power of the Holy Spirit. Its effects are rippling throughout the world, transforming individuals and local churches everywhere.

Genres: Christian

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 1994

Reviews

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book feels thrown together on the tails of the Toronto Blessing. It may have been written while the outpouring was still happening, and it is designed to defend the validity of the movement. To do that, Mr. Chevreau relies primarily on the witness of history and the witness of the changed. Though he does attempt a Biblical defense, the defense isn't very well presented and the train of thought is scattered. For a historical witness he goes back to the Great (American) Awakening and the writings of Jonathan Edwards and his wife. He uses their journals and publications to show that some of the same manifestations of the Holy Spirit that appeared in Toronto also appeared in the Great Awakening. The closing portion of the book is testimonials from people who experienced and anointing of the Spirit in Toronto and were profoundly changed and/or healed.

The strength of this book is the testimonials of the work of the Spirit. The weakest part of the book is the connection to the Great Awakening. Yes, Mr. Chevreau details how they were similar, but the length of time it takes to establish this connection is too long. The lengthy quotes from Mr. Edwards get tedious and leave one wondering if they were inserted just to add length to a short book. The quantity of other's quotes is so large that one wonders if Mr. Chevreau should have earned the title of editor rather than author.

For the purpose of church history, this book is of some value, though I imagine a much greater depth of historical analysis would be achieved by writing a book years after the Blessing finished up rather than writing it concurrent with the movement. Still, this book will aid church historians who later write about the happenings in Toronto, as it does a good job of including first-hand accounts of healings and manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Book, this move of God impacted the nations.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasic book, which uses the experiences of the Toronto Blessing to reiew the work of the Holy Spirit though many centurys , looking at the work of many great eveanglists such as Johnathan Edwards,C H Spurgeon, and there writings. Showing that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit are not new, and it is not new for them to cause devision.Guy Chevreau on p69 states " When the Holy Spirit manifests his presents, it often if not always requires that we lose control.It means that we give up our plans, our goals and agenders , Our fighting for our lives.
Are christians in todays world brave enouth to give God the control???? I pray we are.
A must read for anyone who wants to understand more of how the spirit of Gods works in our world.

[Loretta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read " Prophetic Evangelism" by Mark Stibbe, which I loved, I expected to thoroughly enjoy this book. I'm afraid I, personally, found it very dry and hard to read. I believe other people have enjoyed it, so maybe it is just not a style of writing which I enjoy.

[William Dicks · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is part of the fringe charismatic extreme.