Awakening to the Father Cry

Several years ago, I was scheduled to preach at a New Year’s ministry gathering on the future of the Pentecostal movement among new generations in the twenty-first century. Keeping with my custom, I had enjoyed turkey, toys, toddlers, and television during the holidays while entertaining our family. Now I was on an airplane headed toward my first preaching assignment of the year, trying to push my way into a new season of ministry.

I had gratefully accepted an upgrade on the flight and was scheduled to sit in first class. As I placed my carry-on baggage overhead, I grabbed my Bible and planned to continue studying for the imminent preaching assignment. Then, I noticed a young man sitting by the window next to my aisle seat. He looked to be in his late teens—baggy jeans, contemporary T-shirt, piercings and all. As soon as I was seated, the young man asked, “Is that a Bible?”

I replied that it was, to which he responded, “I need that!”

This should have been an immediate sign to me. In the past, I have witnessed to several people who have received Christ on airplanes. Normally I would have recognized this as a divine appointment and moved quickly into my evangelistic gifting and call. Nevertheless, remember, I was full of turkey, toys, and television! After a few pleasant words with the young man, I put up my invisible airplane communication shield and quickly fell asleep, Bible in hand.

Suddenly, I was awakened as the plane began its descent; I felt as if someone had hit me or nudged me in the side, prodding me awake. The Holy Spirit then pressed on my heart, reminding me of the young man sitting beside me and the opportunity I was missing. I awakened and began doing what I should have done initially, which was engage this weary-looking young man in conversation and minister to him.

His name was Gabriel. He had been reared in a pastor’s home, but now, barely old enough to be out on his own, he was moving to the East Coast because he had encountered trouble with his peers in a Midwestern state. Gabriel knew he needed God’s Word, but he did not know much about it. In fact, though he lived in a ministry setting, Gabriel was not aware of how to personally become a Christian believer. I shared a simple gospel message, and he allowed me to pray for him, though he did not receive Christ that day. I continued talking to Gabriel until our luggage arrived at the baggage claim. I left the airport, grieving in my heart that I had wasted my initial opportunity to share what Gabriel knew he needed.

The next morning, I was in prayer in my hotel room, reflecting and studying for the sermon I would preach at the conference. I was still grieving over my inability to help Gabriel receive Christ when I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me: “Yesterday, I gave you a living illustration of what is happening with new generations in America.”

This captured my attention, so I listened intently to the impression I was receiving from the Lord. “There is a new generation hungry for My Word and desperately needing spiritual help. Yet older generations are sleeping through their moment of opportunity without responding properly — just like you did on the plane yesterday. They are slumbering because they are too full of the things of this world to hear the cry of this generation, and they need an awakening. The greatest harvest of your time depends on the church waking from her slumber and reaching them.”

While sharing about this occasion a couple of years later, I suddenly realized the young man had the same name as Gabriel, the messenger angel of Scripture. I would not presume to say that this young man was an angel, but God certainly used him to give me His message that day. The message I received is critical for the church. Will we wake up and hear the cry of this generation of young men and women? It is a cry for God, a cry for His Word, and a cry for fathers and mothers.

This cry is all around us! Who will hear their cry and become a representative of God with skin on? Who will teach the principles of love and forgiveness? Who will lead them to find the answer to their father cry in a relationship with our heavenly Father? Who? Only those who are awake!

Tune in to hear Billy Wilson, president of Oral Roberts University, this Monday on LIFE TODAY. Adapted from Father Cry by Billy Wilson. Copyright © 2025 by Oral Roberts University. Published by Empowered Books, an imprint of ORU Press. Used by permission.