The Ohio State University holds a special place in my heart as we walk into 2025, not because I attended the school, but because, as a matter of fact, I did not. However, I do live in and absolutely love the state of Ohio. Truthfully, I have never been a die-hard fan of the Buckeyes, that is, until this year. I don’t believe I’m alone in this. When the The Ohio State Football team declared this as the “Jesus Won” year, I was all in.
As someone who has experienced the radical change and spiritual revival of the heart that happens by coming into a relationship with Jesus, I couldn’t wait to see what would unfold in the hearts of this younger generation. Aside from what we have been seeing take place on social media, there is undeniable evidence that the Holy Spirit is moving in this place. Gen Z is hungry for truth, seeking an anchor to put their hope in, and ready to give their lives to the one person who can set them free.
The Holy Spirit is stirring, and the revival is on fire. It has taken me back to my early days of walking with Jesus, reminding me of when I first experienced the darkness being taken over by light and new life was brought forth by God’s incredible grace. Seeing the football team and entire campus encountering revival ever since brings a great joy to my heart. I am thrilled to be witnessing it and honored to claim the title - a Buckeye! Jesus is winning over hearts, and the Good News of the gospel is spreading like wildfire.
What is a Revival?
Some might be wondering what revival is, how it starts, and what it stems from. First, a revival of the heart is the spiritual awakening of Christians. We see this spoken of in Acts 2:42-47. It is when the Holy Spirit dwells in the hearts of man and causes a radical change of both the internal heart and the external way one lives because of the conversion by the power of the Holy Spirit. We also see this spoken of by the Lord in Ezekiel 36:26,
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
When we hear of this topic, turning to the Book of Acts is incredibly helpful in giving context and clarity to an important topic. If you're new to the Bible, this book is the most detailed of the early church unfolding and "revival" happening. As we look to Acts 10, we will see what happens when God uses one person to take the good news to a room full of people willing to listen. The scripture begins with a group of Gentile men invited by their friend, Cornelius, to listen to a man named Peter. While they knew nothing about Peter, they trusted the heart of their friend who invited them to gather. So, they gathered and were stirred to come to a saving faith and take the gospel of Christ with them to the ends of the earth. For a brief look into unpacking revival, read Acts 10:34-43 with me...
So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching the good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
What Is Shifting the Hearts of Students on College Campuses?
What we see happening on The Ohio State campus is much the same as what happened when the Word of God was shared through Peter to the men Cornelius gathered. The hearts of these men wanted more than what life seemed to offer, and the students on The Ohio State campus have the same hunger today. Hungry for truth, for real love, and a saving faith.
One of the most significant ways we have seen this displayed at The Ohio State University is through God's use of the football team and Run with Christ. Across news channels and social media platforms, we saw the football team holding a revival night on August 27, 2025, where hundreds of students were baptized. These young men stewarded the hearts of those willing to listen to Christ through worship, prayer, and a call to repentance. What unfolded, I’m not sure anyone was prepared for. Baptism, after baptism, after baptism occurred. Students were taken from death to life all because revival began in the locker room, and God used it to bring an entire campus to experience Him.
Run with Christ is another group taking the campus by storm on behalf of Christ. Run with Christ is a running group that offers relationships and community to those looking to feel connected. Through this, they can share the relationship Jesus wants to have with them. Where one student saw a need, the Lord stirred up another revival for the younger generation hungry for real, face-to-face connection.
I’m grateful to have done ministry alongside one of the Gen-Z students involved in this revival. She is a part of the Run with Christ movement. What she has told me about having a front row seat to all God is doing I couldn’t keep to myself! “It’s like another world on campus, we’re in a time where there are so many lost broken people and people have come to the ends of themselves. You can see it in their eyes, they are longing for something more. They are at a crossroads of “what’s next” and the answer is Jesus. Eyes are being opened, and hearts are being softened to experience something they’ve never encountered before. They are feeling welcomed, invited, and recognizing the more they are looking for is Jesus.”
The evidence is clear - God is on the move. Not only at on The Ohio State campus but also on campuses nationwide. College students are tasting and seeing that the Lord is good. He is faithful, real, and full of compassion, and He eagerly awaits to extend His grace while taking their hearts on the journey of redemption. Revival of the heart, which comes from Jesus, draws one to repentance; repentance sets the heart ablaze in the freedom of Christ. Revival is here, and I believe it is here to stay.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Hannah Busing
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
