Last weekend, Ohio State University (OSU) witnessed a profound spiritual revival as hundreds of students gathered for a faith-filled event on campus, with Buckeye football players leading the way. The event, held outside the Curl Market on Sunday, was organized by several Christian student groups at the university and drew an impressive turnout, with estimates of the crowd size ranging from 800 to 2,000 attendees.
The evening was marked by heartfelt testimonies from key members of OSU’s football team, including wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson, defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, and former wide receiver Kamryn Babb. The players shared deeply personal stories about their faith in God, inspiring many in the crowd to reflect on their own spiritual journeys.
According to OSU’s student newspaper, *The Lantern*, approximately 60 individuals made the decision to be baptized during the event. The baptisms were conducted in water-filled tubs typically used as ice baths by the football team, adding a unique and symbolic touch to the proceedings. The event was described as spontaneous, with an “altar call” leading to a wave of baptisms, facilitated by the football players themselves.
An OSU faculty member involved in the revival, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed his awe at the evening’s events. “It was amazing,” he said, still elated from the experience. “The players shared from their hearts about their faith in God. It was all Jesus-based, all focused on Him. Very vulnerable and very moving.”
He recounted the overwhelming response from the crowd, noting that people were visibly touched by the Spirit. “Person after person came. You could just see the Spirit moving in people. It was different, nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”
The event was meticulously organized to ensure that those baptized were fully aware of the significance of their decision. Contact information was collected, and new believers were connected with the Christian student groups involved in the event to help guide them on their path to discipleship.
“We made sure they knew what they were doing before they got baptized,” the faculty member explained. “Afterwards, we brought them into a back room to share a little bit more and have a presentation about what discipleship looks like.”
Kamryn Babb, in an interview with Fox News following the revival, reflected on the significance of the event. He attributed the large turnout to a collective yearning for hope, particularly in challenging times. “Everybody is looking for some sort of hope,” Babb said. “I think the human condition wants hope. We throw around the words hope, love — all these different words — and I think those things that we’re looking for, that we’re searching for can only be found in Jesus.”
Babb emphasized that the focus of the evening was solely on Jesus Christ and His impact on the lives of those present. “It was an honor to see my Lord and my Savior move the way that He did, and it was only because of Him. It was all to bring Him glory. It wasn’t about a football team. It wasn’t about anything else besides Jesus Christ and this country, America.”
The revival event at OSU is a testament to the power of faith and community, showcasing the significant role that spiritual life continues to play on college campuses. As the students and faculty involved in the event look to the future, the seeds of faith sown that evening are likely to grow and flourish in the lives of many.
Credit: The Christian Post