Lower: Igniting Spiritual Awakening Through Radical Humility

by Zach Meerkreebs

The pastor whose sermon sparked a revival, the Asbury Outpouring, Zach Meerkreebs uncovers the main trait that invites the Holy Spirit into believer's lives and sets that passion in motion to reach around the Radical Humility.

As Zach Meerkreebs ended his sermon on the campus of Asbury University, he prayed, “Jesus, do a new thing in our midst. Revive us by your love.” He had preached from Romans 12: 9-13 and urged students to consider how they love and how God loves them. Before leaving, he challenged, “Do not leave here until you experience the love of God so that you can pour it out.” To him, the sermon felt quite ordinary and unremarkable, yet several students remained, praying and worshipping, and others joined them until a crowd formed that grew to over 65,000 and covered the campus and small Kentucky town. As the worshipping and praying continued, for sixteen days and nights, the media began reporting on what came to be called the Asbury Outpouring. 

In Lower, Zach shares his experiences at the Outpouring and answers his own question, what sparked this revival? Radical humility, he says, is the essential posture for igniting the Spirit. With honest self-awareness, we can engage humility—removing whatever blocks get in the way of its formation in our lives. He describes six attributes that are integral to being humble, including the Crucible into which our wounds and suffering are refined by holy fire, and the Crushing, where enduring the pain of grief alongside Jesus tenderizes our hearts. It's also by Clinging to Him as a daily practice we gain Confidence to move forward, allowing Him to shape us into the Character of Jesus Christ, saturated by lowliness and God's very real, authentic love. With personal stories, Scripture, wisdom from other Christian writers, and key insights he has received in quiet moments with Jesus, Zach shows readers the path to radical humility and a closer relationship with God.

Wrecked by the humility of God, those at the Asbury Outpouring encountered the presence of Jesus and witnessed healings and revived faith and hope, launching a movement that has spread His abundant love across the globe. As we chase humility, we can become love in action, stirring the work of the Holy Spirit everywhere. 
 

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Jillian B · Rating 4 out of 5]

In February 2023, the author preached what he was sure was a “stinker” of a sermon at a college chapel. Little did he know, his words were about to spark the weeks-long revival known as the Asbury Outpouring. This is a book about the importance of humility, and the great amount of good that God can bring about as a result of our small acts of faith.

The author’s definition of humility aligns with C.S. Lewis’s idea that being humble is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. The “lowering” of ourselves that this book advocates isn’t self-hatred and condemnation, but rather humble service carried out from a place of quiet confidence and trust in our God.

This book combines examples from the Bible, the revival at Asbury and the author’s own life story to make its arguments. I was particularly moved by the author’s story of crying out to God in the wake of his infant daughter’s death. I also appreciated the beneficial spiritual exercises and the author’s prayers for us readers, which were interspersed throughout the book.

This book may be a comfort to some Christians and a challenge to others. It’s a call to let go of our egos and embrace a better way of life.

[Cathi Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contained many powerful reminders of how humility can activate a deeper hunger for His presence. I love hearing his experience of Asbury, through which his inspiration flows through this book. So incredible!

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're curious about what happened at the Asbury Outpouring this is one of the most authentic first hand accounts you can read, written by a friend who is real and strives to live out the humility he shares.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thankful to have been given this book as a gift. I really enjoyed Lower and the author’s style of writing. It is an inspiring read!

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this the best book on Christian formation ever written? No. But it is possibly the most heartfelt and honest writing I have encountered in this space for some time. The author feels like he is working through everything in his writing, coming to grips and trying to flesh out his own experiences while sharing what he has learned and knows to be true about humility. Don’t come to this book expecting a recounting of the Asbury Outpouring, as he refers to it. I guess I was hoping for more detail than was provided, but for anyone who has had an extremely transformative spiritual experience, you know how difficult it is to properly convey what exactly went on and how you were feeling. I believe the author’s approach of writing this book from the desire to share humility is more important. If we do not start with humility in our Christian walk, we cannot love others like Jesus did.

I may want to revisit this book in the future.

[Bayli McClary · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Might we reclaim the ordinary and simple intimacy with Jesus that occurs in blue chairs in our living rooms, kitchen tables before the sun rises, prayer closets that no one knows about, and little sweet conversations in coffee shops?”

Just loved this read. Too many good quotes to count. The gentle reminder we all need that “mountaintop experience Jesus” is the same Jesus we meet in the tiny, humbling moments of the ordinary. May we all seek to get “lower”, invite this sacred humility into our lives, and let it be the very thing that inspires us to be empty vessels, ready for His glory.

[Kristen Bender · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the topic of this book. Humility is something that is not often at the forefront of my mind and this book helped me reflect on that. It was very dense and content rich so it took me a while to get through it and digest it.

[Matt Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been the most challenging, humbling and inspiring read of the year. It took me a while to digest some of the contents because I needed to wrestle with them.

Lower is an invitation to embrace humility and find a fresh spiritual power and closeness to God through that humility.

There’s a lot to consider here and I found myself profoundly moved and encouraged as I read this book.

This book came to me at a time when I was feeling really low and recognizing that God was drawing me into a journey towards humility and the author was an excellent guide along the way.

[Tim Littleford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part Asbury story, part primer on humility. Worth listening to.

[Cassie Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The preacher that helped spark the Asbury revival. A good reminder of letting go of your ego and humbling yourself.

I received a hardback copy from FaithWords Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Lower, Zach Meerkreebs has written a book about radical humility that led to a change spread across the world. He was called to preach on Romans 12 at Asbury University. This contains 28 commands that are pretty high standards. God told him to present the students with a challenge that they could not love others based on these standards. He explained the difference between love and love as the counterfeit and how this will leave us empty in the end. To truly love others, we first must experience His love in order to give it freely to others. He left them with three questions: what’s the source of your love, purpose of your love, and are you becoming through this expression of love. He instructed them to come to the alter and to experience the love of God so that we can pour it out. This event led to a 16 days revival and spread around churches and the world and became known as the Asbury outpouring. He shared the importance of being lower and having humility. Jesus even declared how we should be at the lowest seat at the table and wait for the host to invite you to sit.



In the book, he shared his story and how he grew up Jewish and had never heard of the Gospel before. He also experienced sexual brokenness. He had a perpetrator who instilled shame and guilt. This made him question his sexuality, identity, and manhood. He wondered if he had what it takes even. He admitted he hid his hurt in drugs, alcohol, and girls. His friend, Mason invited him to a party one night. It ended up being a Christian Athlete’s event. The speaker shared how God is a father to the fatherless and he puts lonely people into families. He stated the teachings of Psalm 68 and this moved him. A year later, he gave him life to Christ.


I would recommend this life changing book on humility to anyone who is ready to see a change in their life. This book will touch on the 16-day event that occurred at a college and students’ lives where dramatically changed. There is tons of amazing scriptures and teachings readers will learn about humility and the character of Christ.



“I received this book free from the publisher for my honest review.”

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Throughout the book, the author walk us through his account of the revival at Asbury. He is honest about aspects of the outpouring that he can’t explain (how did a simple message lead to such a revival?), as well as what he calls the “catalytic pieces” that served a role in it. The author also weaves in various personal stories and examples that help lay the groundwork for how examples of Jesus’ humility in Scripture can translate to action day to day. I loved how it almost seemed like two separate stories— the Asbury Outpouring account and a guide for how to challenge ourselves to acknowledge our fragility and live a life of humility— that are seamlessly put together into one book. There are also various chapters that include examples on how to achieve such humility, scripture references, and questions to ask oneself as we put it into practice. Overall, this book will challenge readers to recognize Jesus’ radical humility and strive for humility in our own lives, all while getting a first hand account of this incredible revival!

[Jenna Rae Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As we go through the crucible, let our goal be to exit the crucible more like Christ, not just to be relieved of the discomfort.”

I’m not sure if that’s the exact quote, but it’s in the same realm. I’ve thought about this statement every day since I’ve read it.

Zach does a great job explaining how true humility allows us to experience Christ in newer ways. True humility makes more of Christ. True humility is rooted in confidence of who Jesus is and who Jesus says you are.

I pray God gives us a humble hunger for Him, His Word, and Love for His people.

[Ken York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Zach

This is not a how-to book for revival as much as a call to allow Christ to be formed in us. As Peterson paraphrased, "With less of you there is more of God and his rule." This book is dangerous, dangerous to pride and complacency. This is NOT a quick read. The phrasing is awkward in places, you have to read slower. This is a good thing because it also requires contemplation and response. You can't just crash through it looking for nuggets of confirmation of prior beliefs. It is worth every effort.

[Tim Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraged, challenged and my hope is rising after reading Lower. Zach Meerkreebs not only recounts the extraordinary move of God at Asbury but also shows that it’s actually the emptying of our own egos, control and embracing the humility of Christ that creates the environment ready to see Jesus move in big (and small) ways. Every Christian needs to read this book. No magic formulas or to-do’s but anything that stirs affection for God and our life with Him is worth spending time with.

[Madison Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Zach’s perspective on humility. My main thought while reading the book though was that it wasn’t a very refreshing read. I enjoyed the story-telling, but the teaching portions used a lot of higher level language and sometimes I would finish a page and not fully understand what I’d just read. So I would say this is a good read for a very specific intellectual type of reader, and not necessarily for the Christian wanting a light hearted teaching on humility.

[Ashlyn Vecrumba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lower is a refreshing and thought-provoking read on spiritual humility. The author’s vulnerability makes the message feel personal and relatable, while the writing style is clear and easy to follow. I appreciated how the book didn’t just discuss humility in theory but provided real-life applications that every Christian can benefit from. It’s a book that challenges you in the best way—reminding you that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes from going lower. Highly recommend!

[Meg Tenery · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, thought provoking read. I am inspired by the stories surrounding the 16 days at Asbury as well as stories from Zach that made this book both personal and relatable. I am grateful to have learned more about growing closer to Christ in lowering myself in order to be raised with Him. An absolute must read for believers and to share with those who do not know Christ!

[Alyssa Russek · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did really enjoy this book I think I made the mistake of not using the audiobook.
The writing was easy and at a good pace but I think I would have found it more moving if I heard him speak it aloud.
Having heard the author speak, I personally feel as if this would be great as a series of sermons.

[Amanda Birman · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was good. But not what I was expecting. And while I understand and appreciate the outpouring at Asbury, I went myself for an evening, I didn’t realize the book would focus so much on it. My expectations were more scripture and topic focused and less asbury outpouring.

[Mallory Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left in tears of just how beautiful it was, but more importantly how beautiful it is when we take a low posture to Jesus. It all points to Jesus. All of it! Very wonderfully written and gives practical ways to see this in our everyday lives!

[Bryan Halferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zac’s story is wisdom into how to walk closely with God is what we need.

[Braden Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

very repetitive at some times but it got better towards the end

felt like I was reading his thoughts like straight from his head which is very interesting

feet…maybe he’s right

[Tre' Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only an incredible read, but I have watched Zach live what he writes about. Thankful for this!

[Tina M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend

[Emily DeShon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet, convicting and compelling book. Deepening the longing for real encounters with Jesus not just routines or shows. Read slowly and drink deeply ❤️

[matti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zach is a great writer & an even better friend to those that know him. Most importantly, he models Christ-like humility & empties himself often. May we all learn to be empty vessels!