Church doesn’t have to be a stiff and stuffy occasion. Tent meeting revival preaching goes far back in the history of the American church. You don’t have to live in the bible belt to enjoy tent church. Keep reading to learn more about how to plan a tent revival!
What Is a Tent Revival?
Traditionally, a tent meeting or tent revival is basically an outdoor gathering of people of faith. The tent preacher would lead the service with often passionate and emotional sermons. The purpose was to revive the faithful and bring new members to the church.
What Happens at a Tent Revival?
Tent revivals today can range from solemn to theatrical to slightly humorous, depending on the style of tent revival preaching. Worshippers may sing hymns and the service will likely open and end with prayer.
These events often included spirited worship, live music, prayer, and altar calls to create an atmosphere of energy, reflection, and renewal. While the style can vary, the heart of a tent revival remains the same: bringing people together in a shared space to reconnect with faith and community. Today, churches and ministries continue to use tents as a way to host powerful outdoor services that welcome everyone in, rain or shine.
Need help choosing the right tent for your tent revival?
Our team is happy to walk you through the options and help you find the most dependable, practical solution for your space, budget, and attendance goals. Give us a call, and we'll help you select a tent that's built to serve your congregation for years to come.
11 Steps to Take to Prepare for Church Revival Meetings
When thinking about how to organize a tent revival, keep in mind the objectives of the event. A revival is meant to renew spiritual devotion, inspire non-believers in such a way that leads them to the church and bring people together in faith.
#1 Pick a Date
Sunday is the traditional day for church service, but you may choose to host a revival on any day, and really, at any time. Be sure to choose a date that isn’t a holiday and that doesn’t coincide with other local events or church services. Remember that the goal is to attract as many worshippers as possible.
#2 Estimate Guest Count
One of the first steps in planning a tent revival is estimating how many people you expect to attend. Having a rough attendance count will help you choose the right tent size, plan seating arrangements, determine parking needs, and ensure guests have enough space to gather comfortably.
Not sure what size tent you need? Check out our tent capacity chart to see how many guests different tent sizes can accommodate based on your seating layout.
#3 Choose the Right Location
Selecting the right location is one of the most important parts of planning a successful tent revival. Large open spaces such as church grounds, public parks, fairgrounds, and open fields are common choices because they provide plenty of room for seating, parking, and other event activities.
When evaluating potential locations, think about both visibility and accessibility. Choose a site that is easy for guests to find, has adequate parking, and allows attendees of all ages to comfortably access the event once they arrive.
The location you choose can also influence the best tent style for your revival. Factors such as available space, ground conditions, and site restrictions may affect whether a pole tent, frame tent, or another tent style is the best fit. We'll cover those considerations in the next step.
#4 Contact Local Zoning Officials
Depending on where you plan to have your revival worship service, you may need to obtain a permit. Even if you have a private venue, such as on church property, you still should check on city ordinances for noise or large gatherings. Following ordinances is important for both compliance, and often, the safety of your guests.
#5 Invite a Guest Speaker
If you want to attract a crowd, book one or more guest speakers, the more well-known the better! Be sure to make arrangements well in advance, since excellent speakers are often in demand. Consider your guest speaker in your budget as well, since out of town speakers may expect you to pay for accommodations and other travel costs.
#6 Getting Ready
Give yourself plenty of time to plan your revival. You’ll need to get a headcount in advance for chair rentals, so be sure to ask guests to RSVP. You might also want to order fresh floral arrangements for decor. Since music is such an important part of tent revivals, be sure to plan for a piano or keyboard, and song leader. If your church has a choir, schedule special practices before the event.
#7 Purchase or Rent a Tent and Recruit Workers
Generally speaking, the pastor or preacher is in charge of planning for a church revival. But elders, deacons, and other church leaders can help alleviate some of that burden by pitching and helping with revival tent rental. American Tent has a huge variety of quality revival tents for sale and we’re always happy to help you find the perfect worship tent.
Not all tents are created equal. To host a safe and successful event, it’s important to choose a tent made from dependable materials that let you focus on your message—not the weather or the wind. Safety is our top priority. That’s why we use 1000 denier fabric, the strongest on the market, lasting 3x longer than imported tents. Plus, we use double tube rafter poles on our large tents for extra strength where it matters most.
We also offer detailed setup guides, video tutorials, and over-the-phone support to make sure your tent is installed safely and securely. When you’re gathering a community for something meaningful, we’re here to make sure the tent is one less thing to worry about.
Not sure which tent style is best for your tent revival?
Contact our team or download our Tent Purchasing Guide. We'll walk you through the pros and cons of each tent style so you can confidently choose the best option for your congregation, location, and budget.
#8 Preparing the Venue
After you’ve chosen your guest evangelist(s) and made arrangements for seating and tent rental, it’s time to prepare your revival venue. According to revival experts, other important ways to prepare include:
- Check out tent layout options for your tent revival
- Prayers from the pastor and parishioners
- Check microphone, speakers, and other equipment prior to the event
- Recruit ushers to help seat guests.
#9 Promote the Revival
To ensure a successful event, start promoting early. As soon as you set the date, mark it on your church calendar and website. Ask your worshippers to share the event with friends, neighbors, and on social media. A little friendly competition never hurts either. Create a contest to see who can bring the most guests to the revival with a prize.
#10 Prepare the Revival Program
The first thing that everyone expects when they walk into church is a warm welcome and a program. Most revival schedules include:
- Title or theme
- Opening prayer
- Hymns
- Bible verses
- Sermon
- Invitation
- Closing prayer
- Closing hymn.
#11 Have a Safety Plan for Weather
No matter what time of year your tent revival takes place, it's important to have a plan for the weather. From strong winds and heavy rain to extreme heat or cold temperatures, weather can impact both the comfort and safety of your guests.
It's also important to monitor weather forecasts leading up to the event and establish an evacuation plan in case severe weather develops. Having a clear plan in place will help protect your guests and ensure the event runs as smoothly as possible.
#12 Plan for Follow Up
After the revival, you should follow up with your worshippers. Capture their contact information with a guest book when they enter or provide contact forms on each seat. If budget allows, include pens branded with your church name and contact information. Within a week after the event, send out a thank note and invitation to attend regular Sunday services.
Our 5 Best Church Revival Tents
At American Tent, we love to help our customers find the perfect tent for their events. Our customer service team is ready to help you plan your next church revival.
Frame tents are a go-to choice for tent revivals thanks to their flexibility and ability to stay up for long term periods. With no center poles, you get a clear, unobstructed space—perfect for seating, a stage, and sound equipment. They can be set up on nearly any surface, from grassy fields to concrete lots, making them ideal whether you're staying in one location or taking your revival on the road.
Pole tents are a popular option for their classic look and ease of installation. They feature center poles that impact the layout and must be staked into the ground, making them ideal for grass and other soft surfaces. They're a great choice for churches that plan to set up and take down the tent periodically or travel between locations.
Check out 5 of our most popular options below:
20x20 Frame Tent
Our 20-by-20 frame tent boasts 400 square feet of usable, open space. Its compact size makes setting up and taking down easy. For a cozy revival, our 20x20 frame tents will have worshippers singing praises.
40x60 Frame Tent
Expecting a crowd? Our 40-by-60 frame tent will give worshippers plenty of elbow room. Like all of our frame tents, our 40x60 tents are made right here in the heartland of the USA.
40x80 Pole Tent
A 40x80 pole tent is a popular choice for larger tent revivals, offering enough space to accommodate up to 400 guests in a theater-style seating arrangement. Just keep in mind that pole tents must be staked into the ground, so you'll need a grass field or other surface that can be properly anchored.
30x60 Frame Tent
Rain or shine, your guests will be ready for the revival under our 30-by-60 frame tents. With 2,400 square feet of worship space, your revival tent may become your parishioner's favorite place to worship.
40x200 Pole Tent
For large tent revivals and ministry events, a 40x200 pole tent is the largest size we offer. This spacious tent can accommodate large crowds. Best of all, the tent features a sectional design, allowing you to remove sections and configure it in smaller lengths when attendance is lower.
The Right Tent for a Safe and Successful Tent Revival
Whether you’re planning a revival, church picnic, vacation bible school, or prayer meeting, American Tent has quality, customizable tents for every need. For help finding the perfect tent for your next church event, contact us today.
We manufacture our tents right here in the Midwest, combining high-quality craftsmanship with solid American values. We take pride in every tent we make because we know your event’s safety and success depend on it.
Our materials are chosen for strength and durability. We use 16 oz blockout vinyl with a 1000 denier rating, the strongest tent fabric available, which lasts over three times longer than many imported alternatives. Our large frame tents also feature double tube rafter poles to help keep your group safe and secure.
Need something custom? We’ve got you covered. From unique sizes to eye-catching colors and custom printing, we’ll make sure your tent fits your space and your message.
Planning a tent revival? Give us a call at 920-431-0938 and we’ll help you find the perfect setup
