Thousands Encounter Revival at University of South Florida UniteUS Gathering

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

TAMPA (Worthy News) – Nearly 7,000 young people packed the Yuengling Center on the campus of the University of South Florida Thursday night for a UniteUS revival event that leaders say marked a powerful move of God among Generation Z.

According to ministry reports, more than 2,000 students made decisions for Christ and over 300 were baptized, while many others publicly testified to life-changing encounters. Social media posts from the UniteUS Movement described the night as “a glimpse” of a larger spiritual awakening stirring across America’s campuses.

“WHAT A NIGHT TAMPA,” read one Instagram post. “There is a move of God happening in Gen Z and we got to witness just a glimpse of it tonight. Thank you, Jesus.”

A Growing National Movement

UniteUS is a campus-based evangelistic initiative that began at Auburn University in 2023, when thousands of students gathered to worship and hundreds were spontaneously baptized in a nearby lake. Since then, the movement has expanded nationwide, with more than 17 campuses visited and over 100,000 students attending events, according to organizers.

Founder and evangelist Tonya Prewett said the vision continues to grow beyond what she ever imagined. “I remember standing at baptisms after the Auburn event in the middle of thousands of students just praising God and thinking, how can this stop? And it hasn’t. He keeps doing it. Again and again.”

Prewett also noted how the pandemic left Gen Z grappling with isolation, addiction, and despair, but added that their hunger for authentic connection is now fueling revival. “They’re desperate,” she said. “And that desire is contagious. When we bring that energy to each event, the enthusiasm spreads to the next gathering, igniting the campuses.”

Life-Changing Moments

The Tampa event was filled with emotional testimonies. One student declared, “I denounce suicidal ideation. I denounce witchcraft and I denounce satanic worship, in Jesus’ name,” drawing a thunderous “Amen!” from the crowd. Others wept as they publicly committed to following Jesus for the rest of their lives.

Pastor Jonathan Pokluda, a speaker at the event, addressed the burdens many students carry, from shame over past mistakes to struggles with pornography and abortion. “They come here, and we’re showing them the only one who can really deal with their sin—Jesus Christ,” he said.

Revival on Tour

The Tampa outreach was the second stop of UniteUS’s 2025–26 campus tour. Organizers say upcoming events are scheduled at major universities across the country, including the University of Oklahoma’s Lloyd Noble Center on September 9, Tennessee on September 30, Grand Canyon University on October 21, Cincinnati on November 5, North Carolina on November 11, and Clemson on November 18.

For many, Thursday night in Tampa confirmed what Prewett and her team believe is only the beginning. “This generation won’t be silenced!” UniteUS posted. “God is raising up an army.”

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