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Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Welcome to the Jonathan Shuttlesworth Podcast. To stay connected, go to revival today dot com. And now, here is Evangelist Jonathan.
Pastor Jensen, thanks for coming on.
Jensen Franklin
Thank you. It was wonderful to be with you guys. This is amazing, right?
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
I know as a Christian we have to say nice things to each other, but I actually mean this. You did a great job up there.
Jensen Franklin
Thank you.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
I never heard that message about Elijah and the prayer in the reign over the nation.
Jensen Franklin
Thank you. What an honor coming from you. You guys are tearing the nation up. And I, I just, I don't know, I. I'm moved. I'm moved today because I fasted and prayed for this moment. And you know, sometimes we don't realize what's happening when it's happening. Right. Sometimes we don't. We don't really. We're not awake. And. And you'll look back. It's kind of like Jacob. He said, surely the presence of the Lord was in the place. But I didn't see what God was doing. Right. God is doing something significant. I believe he's blessed this nation for two reasons. Number one, because he could trust us with the gospel to finance it through our wealth around the world.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Right.
Jensen Franklin
The second reason was because we stand with Israel and God knew we would have the strongest military that would stand as an ally with Israel. And we're rededicating our lives and rededicating this nation, rededicating ourselves. I am for the call of God on my life, but I'm doing it for my children and my children's children. I want to see America have another 250th anniversary. And it's going to take revival.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Yes. Tell me about that word revival. Because you have a background that way and very few people do. Where you were and still are. But I mean, when you were young and started, you, you preached. And it wasn't one night only the meeting would blow up and the church was. Tell me, tell me how you became that type of preacher. Because. Because nothing steers you in that direction.
Jensen Franklin
How you get full of the Holy Ghost, you, you get full of the Holy Spirit and it was fire shut up in our bones. And we've had revivals. I met my wife. You'll like this story. I met my wife. I. We had just gotten married. I met her in, in church. Met her in a camp that I was preaching. And we got married and we went to Beaufort, Georgia, the church where we got married in. And we had a five week, every night revival. It broke, loses.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
What was it scheduled for?
Jensen Franklin
And it was scheduled For a weekend, Sunday morning and Sunday night.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
And then what happened? Why did the pastor like to want about the meeting?
Jensen Franklin
The young people started flooding to the altars. Then something. By the second week, children were being filled with the Holy Spirit. Children were weeping and crying and they would come in from, from the, they shut down the children's church and started bringing the children in. And then it just exploded and we could not hold the crowds. And it went for five weeks and it was the most glorious thing. We had many revivals like that. So, you know, I know you guys are evangelists, and, and I never, I never lost that. I still, this morning, this morning we had, we had a bunch of people. The altars were filled. Where were you? I was in Georgia. I preached this morning in Georgia and got out here this afternoon.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Yeah, we preached at our church in Pittsburgh. We just got, I got here right when you were going.
Jensen Franklin
So tell me, God, for evangelists, why
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
do you say that? Because you're the first person I think I've ever heard.
Jensen Franklin
Because it's the most overlooked ministry. And I know you guys are pastoring multiple campuses now, but you're also, you, you travel, you, you can't turn that part of you off. And I know the feeling. I've done it for 40 years now.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Makes you a better pastor too, don't you?
Jensen Franklin
You learn so much and you pick up so much. And you also, you come off the road sometimes, and there's been such a move of God where you came, you realize our church needs this. Right? And it actually is like pouring kerosene on the fire. Sometimes when I go off and preach, I come back more fired up.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Yes.
Jensen Franklin
And it's a glorious thing. So stay in revival pastors. And I, I, I appreciate Real America's voice, Rob Sig and this amazing founder. All this. They put so much great information and they also preach the gospel.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Yes. You're not here right Sunday morning.
Jensen Franklin
Yes. It's an amazing thing. We get, we get the greatest testimonies from some people who watch, and they're probably watching and they're listening to the bad news, and then the good news gets on.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
That's right. Tell me and I won't keep you there. I know you've been baking in the sun and preach twice, but I'm interested. What's a meeting that stands out to you? Maybe when you were in your twenties or starting where it kind of, you could tell things jump to another level on the road or pastoring where something happened where, where you could tell it went to another level.
Jensen Franklin
Yeah, I was in a revival with my brother. My brother and I, before I got married, we. We traveled together, and I would preach one night and then he would preach and we rotated it and we did that for over three years. And we were in Anniston, Alabama, at the Church of God there, and that thing broke loose. And I guess I knew I was in trouble because I only had enough sermons for about four. Four nights. And. And it had. And it went for three weeks. And I. I had. He was a more experienced preacher. I was.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
You say it broke loose. Tell me. Tell me some stuff that happened that was abnormal.
Jensen Franklin
People were. People were slain in the spirit by the hundreds. They would go up the aisles. It was. It was glory. It was like heaven. You say, well, that's crazy. That's fanaticism. No, it's not. It's. When you get in the presence of the Holy Spirit, people break and they weep and they. They. Their mood. Their mood just goes so far beyond just head knowledge. It begins to touch your heart and melt your heart. And, you know, when you get in the presence of God, it just makes you realize how far you are and how much you need to repent. Yeah. And that atmosphere. There's something about a revival that's gone several nights. The atmosphere begins to change. Right. You know this.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
And it's been singing with nobody leading. It's different.
Jensen Franklin
And. And for. And even for miracles and praying for people and healings, it. It's an atmosphere that is created with sustained revival sometimes. That's glorious. We actually had a revival. I guess it's been three years now.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Perry Stone or another one?
Jensen Franklin
One night. Perry Stone. It was supposed to go one night.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
I watch.
Jensen Franklin
It went three. It went four weeks. Yes.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
I was watching.
Jensen Franklin
And the house was as full the last night as it was. And it was gorgeous. Literally. I'm not exaggerating. Thousands of people were saved.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
No, you're not exaggerating. I was glorious.
Jensen Franklin
It was.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
The whole front altar was full, plus up the sides. I like that you're still pushing for that because.
Jensen Franklin
Absolutely.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
The average pastor younger than you, retiring about 55 or so now. Why. Why haven't you. You got plenty of money and you've already been successful. Why are you still pushing?
Jensen Franklin
What's the point of doing this? What's the point of doing this if we're not changing lives for his glory? And I'm also, you know, I'm not going to live forever, so I want to make sure that what I'm doing is what I'm living for. Worth Christ dying for. Am I. Am I really? And I got to finish strong. I've got to finish for my children and my grandchildren. Sharice and I have got to stay strong in our home and in our family. And I really, I really hope that we'll take this rededication serious, because we every once in a while, I don't care who you are, you're being polluted by the world, the environment, the. Everything around us is the world, and it's filth. And we need that cleansing. We need those times when we say, I rededicate God. Clean my mind, clean my spirit, clean my heart, clean my life, clean my family. And, you know, when you repent and call on God in true repentance, he'll come every time.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
When did you take the church that you have now, or you pioneered it?
Jensen Franklin
I was 28 years old, and my wife was 7 years younger than me, and we had never pastored a church, and we took it. I think we've been there 38 years now. 36 years, actually. 37. 37 years. And we didn't know what we were doing. We were scared to death. And God just helped us. And it, and it hit revival. You know, I just made up my mind, well, what year?
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
What year? One.
Jensen Franklin
Yeah, it just kind of started doing like this, and it never, it never has stopped.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
What's something that happened at the church where you realized you. It had kind of changed levels and overflowed the banks?
Jensen Franklin
R.W. schambach, a great evangelist. Yes. Called me one Saturday afternoon and said, this is around when, what year? I don't remember.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
90s.
Jensen Franklin
It's, it's at least, yeah, something like that. We had been in our old sanctuary maybe a month or two. We'd just gotten in it, and it was. And he called on a Sunday, on a Saturday afternoon. I didn't know him, had never met him. He was a legend in my eyes, and I, I, I knew nothing. I don't know how he knew about the church, but to make a long story short, he said, can I come preach at your church Sunday night? I feel like the Lord told me to come. And I said, absolutely. We'd love to have you. And the place was packed. And he came in and he got up and he started to preach, and he closed his Bible. And he said, the spirit of the Lord spoke to me that this young event, this young pastor and his wife are supposed to be on tv. And I'm going to, I'm going to take an offering. He took an offering, got $138,000 cash.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
I believe it.
Jensen Franklin
Wow. We went and bought cameras and a edit machine. Didn't even know what to do with them. And start and got on local cable tv. And when we did that, the church, we got bought time every night at 7pm We. I didn't know what we were doing. I was crazy. And you know, that's a lot of money if you literally ride. Well, it was cable, though. It was just Hall County. It was just a little. And it was very cheap, so. So that's what we did. And the church exploded. Every seat was filled. God started moving. So that's when I kind of. You. That's the first thing that comes to my mind. It was like, you know, that's supernatural.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Frame the call and then raise that. That offering like that. That was the Holy Ghost.
Jensen Franklin
It was. It was.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
And you're doing great now. And then you got Greenville. Where else? Greenville, South Carolina. Right. You have a church?
Jensen Franklin
Spartanburg, South Carolina, sir. Orange County, California. And we have a new campus we're starting in Destin this year. Destin, Florida. Wow. We have six campuses in the Atlanta area.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Wow, that's awesome. So what now that. That's enough to occupy you the rest of your life, but what. What else are you kind of feeling beyond that? Recently,
Jensen Franklin
I. I love. I love what God has been doing in our nation specifically. And I've given a lot of time to be here. I don't talk about it a lot because I want the people that we minister to to be able to. To trust us and know.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Right.
Jensen Franklin
That we're not going to. But I. If people understood the people in this government and how much they love God, they're having devotions, they're having Bible sessions. They're bringing us in and asking us to teach and preach and do what we can do to help them stay encouraged and stay on track for the things. The spiritual battle that's being fought in the heavenlies for this nation and for the world. And so I have been up here a lot. I have. And it's God's doings I didn't ask for, but I feel a grace to do it as he's led me.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
You have a grace to do it.
Jensen Franklin
And it's amazing to be one day I'm going to get to tell some of the things that I've seen. And it makes me tremble sometimes that, Lord, what in the world are you doing? God's not through with this nation.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
No, he's not. Don't you find it interesting that there's like an unspoken Pressure to not be a preacher and fool the Holy Ghost if you want to get into venues like this. And then when it was all said and done, there's a president in office that doesn't just like church. He likes preachers.
Jensen Franklin
He does.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
He likes Pentecostal mute. Like, he likes your sex plan. He likes the anointing.
Jensen Franklin
He does. It's very true.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
So all the stuff you were supposed to do to come to the White House, actually it worked the opposite.
Jensen Franklin
And I mean, it's the influence of Pastor Paula. I mean, that whole faith office is. To me, it's just an astounding thing that America has never had a faith office in the west seeing. And there's prayer going on in there every day. There's. There's. There's so many. Every department of the government has a faith office. Every one of it has a faith.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
The official media, the official social media accounts, putting scripture out and sermon clips. It.
Jensen Franklin
You.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
You feel like you. You like took drugs or something. Like, could. Could this actually be happening? Because it was so far the other direction. And now just in a little bit of time, it's look back and look
Jensen Franklin
where we are right now. Yes. Look at what God is doing. And it's because of people that are watching this great network who've stood up and they go out and they vote their Bible and they say it matters, that we're the salt of the earth, we're the light of the world. And, you know, I've said it many places, many times, that Christianity will survive without America, but America will not survive without Christianity.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
That's right.
Jensen Franklin
And the moment we turn our back on that Bible and on that savior, Jesus Christ, I believe America's in trouble. But I don't see that. I see that resident. The government called us in to say, we need you. God in America again involved. We trust.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Yes. It's powerful. One more thing and I'll leave you alone. There's like an anti fasting. Fasting is kind of mocked even by Pentecostals and charismatics now that it's almost like an unnecessary thing. You wrote a book on fasting. I read it when I was just coming out of Bible college and it changed my life. My dad always fasted, so I knew it from that. What led you into fast? I mean, obviously I know the Bible teaches it in the book. Nothing in church pushes you to fast. We eat, especially Pentecostal. The only thing we can do for fun. So what. What brought you on the path of fasting and praying?
Jensen Franklin
I think watching my dad Fast. He would fast. What did. He was a preacher.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
He was.
Jensen Franklin
And he would fast on Saturdays and I would watch him and I would miss him at the table and. And it messed me up for life. And then I began to. When I felt the call to preach, to do it myself, a boss. And as I would do what?
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Like, like. I mean obviously we don't, we're not glorified fasting for you to do what God does. But I'm interested. So you started going on the road and preaching. You said I'd fast a lot. Like. Well, like, like give me an example.
Jensen Franklin
Well, I would do a lot of times if my brother was preaching, I would fast until after church and I would eat something and then the next day I would eat or whatever. But I like to. That's. That was one of the blessings of having a partner in ministry.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
So a lot of times you were going basically every other day.
Jensen Franklin
Hey. And it just started working. I still a dentist. I could feel any. Anybody who malts fasting in ministry is a footballer. I don't know any other. If you want to get there quick, if you want to get a fresh anointing, if you want to get that call back, if you want to get sincerity back, you know. Yes, you want to get it back. If you want to be free from all the clutter of religion and even the ministry, you can forget what it's all about. It's not about your ministry growing, it's about Jesus. And every time I fast it brings me back down to where I need to be. And I encourage you. If you never fasted, fast to half a day, sun up to sundown or from morning to 3 o' clock in the afternoons and read your Bible more than you normally do. You'd be amazed you're seething the clouds for God to move in your life.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Your dad was a spirit filled preacher. Was your grandfather a minister?
Jensen Franklin
No, he was not.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Was he a Christian?
Jensen Franklin
Yes, very Jewish.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Who got baptized in the Holy Ghost in your family?
Jensen Franklin
My father. How he he was raised? His mother was filled. I should correct that his mother was filled with the Holy Ghost.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
I see.
Jensen Franklin
Yeah. And my mother on my mother's side, she was from a great family that was. That believed in the power of the Spirit.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Did your dad stay around long enough to see the ministry?
Jensen Franklin
Take started to see it. We were still in the beginning church but we was full. We had bought a little piece of property. Yes. We had grown and. And knocked down the back wall and he came in and preached for me and he died Not. Not long after. But he must have been happy. He was. And we talked to each other every Sunday night.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Oh, yeah.
Jensen Franklin
Yeah. I miss those calls.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
I'm very thankful you came on.
Jensen Franklin
Thank you. I'm honored. I appreciate you guys. I love your boldness. You got more boldness than I do.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
I don't think that's true.
Jensen Franklin
Yeah, yeah, you do.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
It's an act.
Jensen Franklin
No, no, I thank you. I think you falling what God's called you to do. And that's so refreshing. And you don't. You. You don't seem like you give a rip about what people think or say, and that's very rare. And I encourage you in it. Walk in what God's called you to do because he doesn't want us to be a bunch of ducks lining up behind each other. Just be what God's called you to do. There's people you're going to reach that I'll never reach. And people I'll reach that you'll never reach. We need each other.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Would you mind before you go praying for my wife and I for the pastor?
Jensen Franklin
Yes, I'd love to. Lord, I just thank you for this precious couple. I just thank you. They're soul winners. And he that wins souls is wise. Would you encourage them? Would you call people from the north, south, east and west to come up under them? Would you, God, call them and use them in a brand new, fresh anointing? Lord, bless his ministry and you see all that you put in his heart to do. In her heart to do. Thank you. That the conferences and all that they're doing will just increase more and more and soul, soul, soul, souls, Keep them. Keep them by your power and their children. In Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Amen. Pastor Jensen Franklin, everybody. If they want to check you out, where can they find you?
Jensen Franklin
Jensenfranklin.org freechapel.org if that's probably easier to spare. Newest books, the Power of Short Prayers. Thank you for asking. I love that book, the Power of Short Prayers.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Thank you very much.
Jensen Franklin
Thank you.
Jonathan Shuttlesworth
We'll swing it to Chris Tomlin. Thanks for coming on. Have a great day. I hope you get some rest. Pastor Jensen, everybody.
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Podcast: Jonathan Shuttlesworth
Episode: Rededicate 250 | Ep. 02: Jentezen Franklin
Date: May 20, 2026
Guests: Pastor Jentezen Franklin
Theme:
This episode explores the theme of spiritual rededication and revival in the United States, focusing on Pastor Jentezen Franklin’s experiences with sustained revivals, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity of fasting and continual renewal for believers. The conversation intertwines personal stories, practical ministry insights, and reflections on the state of the American church and its influence on culture and government.
Jentezen Franklin emphasizes America's blessings stemmed from its commitment to spreading the gospel worldwide and supporting Israel, positioning the nation for a special purpose in God's plans.
"God is doing something significant. I believe he’s blessed this nation for two reasons. Number one, because he could trust us with the gospel… The second reason was because we stand with Israel." – Jentezen Franklin, 00:28
Rededication as a necessity: Both for individuals and the nation itself, to see continued spiritual vitality and God's favor.
Jentezen recounts early experiences that shaped his commitment to revival, including extended meetings that grew unexpectedly and transformed communities.
"It was scheduled for a weekend… and then what happened, the young people started flooding to the altars… by the second week, children were weeping and crying… and it went for five weeks and it was the most glorious thing." – Jentezen Franklin, 02:31
Lessons as an evangelist:
Franklin highlights how maintaining an evangelistic spirit stokes passion and brings fresh fire back into local church leadership.
"You come off the road… and there’s been such a move of God where you came, you realize our church needs this… it actually is like pouring kerosene on the fire." – Jentezen Franklin, 03:45
Supernatural signs: Jentezen shares stories of people “slain in the spirit,” miracles, spontaneous worship, and mass salvations as hallmarks of authentic revival.
Atmosphere of sustained revival:
The environment changes the longer a move of God continues, becoming fertile ground for healings and spiritual transformations.
"That atmosphere… begins to touch your heart and melt your heart." – Jentezen Franklin, 05:31
"I've got to finish for my children and my grandchildren… We need those times when we say, I rededicate, God… Clean my mind, clean my spirit, clean my heart." – Jentezen Franklin, 07:09
"He closed his Bible and said, the spirit of the Lord spoke to me that this young pastor and his wife are supposed to be on TV… He took an offering, got $138,000 cash… and the church exploded." – Jentezen Franklin, 09:01
Franklin reveals the depth of faith among leaders in U.S. government—many hold Bible sessions, devotions, and call on ministers for spiritual guidance.
"If people understood the people in this government and how much they love God… They’re having devotions, Bible sessions… and it’s God’s doing." – Jentezen Franklin, 11:25
The establishment of government faith offices:
"Every department… has a faith office. Every one of it has a faith." – Jentezen Franklin, 12:48
Counter-cultural reality:
For all the pressure to compromise, God has favored bold, Spirit-filled ministry even in high places of American life.
Fasting is often disregarded, but Franklin argues it’s essential for spiritual vitality. He shares personal practices and its transformative impact on ministry.
"Anybody who mocks fasting in ministry is a fool… If you want to get a fresh anointing, if you want to get that call back, if you want to get sincerity back, you know… It's not about your ministry growing, it's about Jesus." – Jentezen Franklin, 15:49
Practical advice:
"If you never fasted, fast a half a day… and read your Bible more than you normally do. You’d be amazed, you’re seeding the clouds for God to move in your life." – Jentezen Franklin, 16:29
"Would you call people from the north, south, east and west to come up under them… and use them in a brand new, fresh anointing… and soul, soul, soul, souls." – Jentezen Franklin, 18:20
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:28–01:40 | National blessing, America’s unique calling, and the need for revival | | 02:01–03:19 | Early revival ministry experiences | | 04:54–06:51 | Signs and transformations in revival meetings | | 07:09–08:10 | Motivation to finish strong, necessity of rededication | | 09:01–10:38 | Supernatural financial provision for TV ministry, church breakout | | 11:09–13:13 | Testimony of faith in government, faith offices, and Bible studies | | 14:18–16:44 | Fasting: personal journey, practical tips, and its value | | 17:36–18:59 | Franklin’s encouragement, legacy, and prayer over the Shuttlesworths |
On revival's transforming power:
“There’s something about a revival that's gone several nights. The atmosphere begins to change… It begins to touch your heart and melt your heart.”
– Jentezen Franklin, 05:31
On radical ministry boldness:
“You don’t seem like you give a rip about what people think or say, and that’s very rare. Walk in what God’s called you to do—because he doesn’t want us to be a bunch of ducks lining up behind each other.”
– Jentezen Franklin, 17:47
On spiritual climate in America:
“Christianity will survive without America, but America will not survive without Christianity.”
– Jentezen Franklin, 13:29
On the purpose of fasting:
“Every time I fast it brings me back down to where I need to be.”
– Jentezen Franklin, 16:20
On finishing strong in ministry:
“I've got to finish for my children and my grandchildren… We need those times when we say, I rededicate, God. Clean my mind, clean my spirit, clean my heart.”
– Jentezen Franklin, 07:09
This episode offers a compelling, personal look at the realities of revival-led ministry, the ongoing need for rededication within Christian leadership and the church, and practical wisdom for individuals seeking spiritual renewal. Pastor Jentezen Franklin delivers heartfelt encouragement and challenges listeners not just to believe in revival, but to become active participants through prayer, fasting, and bold obedience to the call of God. For anyone looking to understand the heartbeat of American revival, or seeking inspiration for persevering in their own calling, this conversation is a wellspring of motivation and faith.