A 1970s American Christian movement attracting disaffected youth through communal living and spiritual commitment.
The Shiloh Youth Revival Centers were a notable American Christian movement, part of the larger Jesus People movement, predominantly active in the 1970s. Founded in 1968 by John Higgins, a former drug addict who converted to fundamentalist Christianity, Shiloh began as a small communal establishment called the House of Miracles in Costa Mesa, California. The movement swiftly expanded, eventually comprising over 100,000 individuals and establishing approximately 175 communal homes across the United States and Canada.
Shiloh’s early theology was heavily influenced by charismatic gifts and evangelical Christian beliefs, shaped significantly by influential evangelical authors and eschatological teachings from figures like Chuck Smith. Over time, Higgins’ leadership style evolved towards a more authoritarian approach, particularly between 1972 and 1978, which included unique and controversial theological teachings that deviated from traditional evangelical perspectives.
The organization’s structure mirrored its theological shifts, evolving from an egalitarian and communal system to a hierarchical one under Higgins’ consolidated leadership, where he assumed the title of ‘Bishop.’ This new structure included a Pastors’ Council and designated roles for men and women, with significant positions such as Exhorter, Deaconess, and Patroness available to women, the latter overseeing women’s communal houses.
Shiloh’s communal living rules were stringent, demanding high commitment from its members, and its teachings on the “security of the believer” posited eternal damnation for sins committed at the time of death, which fostered an environment of spiritual urgency and legalism. These elements were central to preparing members for the imminent Second Coming.
The expansion continued until the mid-1970s, but as the decade progressed, internal and external pressures began to mount. Discontent within the movement grew due to its rigid structure and Higgins’ leadership style. In 1978, Higgins was dismissed by Shiloh’s board members, leading to significant organizational upheaval. He later joined the Calvary Chapel as a pastor. The challenges continued for the movement, and by the late 1970s, leadership changes and doctrinal disputes led to a decline in membership and organizational coherence.
The Shiloh Youth Revival Centers eventually faced legal battles concerning tax statuses and property rights, which culminated in their formal dissolution in 1988. A series of court cases related to taxation led to the complete dissolution and liquidation of the movement and its assets by 1989. Several individuals remained as caretakers on the Oregon property where the headquarters, known as “The Land,” had been established, but the organization as a whole ceased to exist.
image via Bob Claycamp
