TALLAHASSEE–Florida State University became the setting of revival and spiritual awakening following a recent evangelistic event known as Unite. The event not only marked a moment of collaboration between Christian organizations but also sparked a gospel mobilization among college students and local churches.
Months following a spiritual revival at Auburn University, leaders and parents inspired by the transformation sought to extend this revival to other university campuses. Their prayers and planning led to the Unite event at FSU, an assembly designed to unify evangelical churches and ministries in a concerted effort to share the gospel with students.
The involvement of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries was pivotal from the outset. Barry Sproles, director for Florida State University’s BCM and servant to the community at Tallahassee Community College and Florida A&M, shared how BCM played a consultative role, offering insights into the spiritual needs on campus and how best to address them. Preparing students for gospel-sharing became a primary focus, with the BCM operating as a crucial link between the local Florida Baptist community and the university.
The night of the Unite event saw passionate worship and powerful messages, culminating in an “overwhelming” response from both believers and non-believers alike, Sproles said. Many students stepped forward, confessing sins, reaffirming their faith and committing to deeper involvement in their local churches. The impact on BCM students has been profound, encouraging them to engage more faithfully in practices they already knew were essential to their walk with Christ, Sproles said.
One such student is David, who, inspired by the Unite event, has committed to aligning his life more closely with God’s will, leading to deeper service in his church and steps toward baptism. This story is but one of many, symbolizing the broader movement of revival stirring within the hearts of Florida State’s student body.
Looking ahead, Sproles emphasizes the importance of students’ continued boldness in sharing the gospel, the cultivation of meaningful connections with local churches, and the stewardship of this spiritual awakening. The Unite event has also strengthened partnerships between university ministries and local churches, aiming to nurture the seeds of revival through baptism, discipleship and ongoing support.
As baptisms continue both on campus and in local churches, the community has witnessed a tangible manifestation of faith and commitment. The revival has sparked a wave of enthusiasm across generations, from senior church members who have long prayed for such a revival to the younger generation experiencing it firsthand. This revival echoes the spirit of old-time crusades, proving that the desire for a unified, gospel-centered outreach remains as relevant and powerful as ever.
Sproles calls on the Florida Baptist community to pray for continued boldness, for the lost to find salvation, and for this revival to mark just the beginning of a deeper, sustained movement of faith across university campuses. The Unite event, with its immediate impacts and ongoing conversations, serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the transformative power of the gospel, he said.
The story of faith igniting at FSU is a powerful reminder of what can happen when hearts are united in prayer, worship and action for the gospel, Sproles said.
“Many of the cool conversations that I’ve had have been from senior adults who are telling me that the events that took place at Unite and the subsequent follow -up opportunities are answers to prayer.
“Groups of senior adult women, for example, at First Baptist Tallahassee who have been praying for revival on the university campuses of Tallahassee together, physically coming together for nearly 20 years. It’s neat to see the excitement in their eyes as they ask me questions about how God is at work on our university campuses.”