Breakpoint Podcast Summary

Episode: Some Good News from College Campuses
Date: March 20, 2025
Host: John Stonestreet
Co-Author: Dr. Glenn Sunshine

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Stonestreet explores a surprising and uplifting trend: significant Christian revival moments occurring on university campuses across the U.S. He shares stories of mass student conversions, public baptisms, and large-scale evangelistic rallies, particularly highlighting the work of “Unite Us” and the embracement of faith by student-athletes. The episode aims to encourage listeners, emphasizing genuine spiritual growth and the importance of discipleship and prayer in sustaining these movements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Remarkable Spiritual Momentum on College Campuses

• Asserts a shift in typical campus narratives, reporting "something remarkable" happening among students.
  • [01:18] “Well, something remarkable seems to be happening on college campuses around the country this fall. Reports emerged first of players taking a strong stand for Christ on the Ohio State and Notre Dame football teams. As it turns out, that was only part of the story.” — John Stonestreet

2. Ohio State as a Focal Point

• Last fall: A group of churches organized a worship service at Ohio State with four football players preaching.
  • ~800 attendees, “many responded to the gospel, including most of the team,” with immediate on-site baptisms.
• Subsequent event: In partnership with “Unite Us,” another rally drew 6,500 attendees, 2,000 responding to the altar call, many baptized in “tubs... brought to campus in U-Hauls despite the frigid weather.”
  • [02:45] “...that service attracted 6,500 people, with about 2,000 responding to an altar call, many of whom were baptized in tubs that were brought to campus in U-Hauls despite the frigid weather.”

3. Widespread Campus Impact

• Reports such events at other colleges:
  • Auburn University: 5,000 attended, 200 baptized.
  • Florida State: 310 baptized.
  • University of Alabama: 260 baptized.
  • University of Tennessee: 8,000 at rally, 150 baptized.
  • University of Georgia: 150 baptized.
  • [03:22] “Overall, the total number of students who have responded to an invitation to accept Christ at these events numbers in the thousands now.”

4. Intentional Discipleship and Follow-Up

• Acknowledges the historic weakness of “rally-type evangelism” — lack of proper follow-up, resulting in “shallow roots.”
• “Unite Us” addresses this by:
  • Carefully walking responders through the gospel.
  • Connecting new believers to local churches and ministries for ongoing discipleship.
  • Example: Florida State rally — 800 of 1,000 responders requested church connection.
  • [04:07] “Unite Us knows that, so they carefully walk those who respond through the gospel to make sure they understand what they’re doing.”

5. Spiritual Foundations and Prayer

• Success credited not to organizational methods, but to the Holy Spirit and prayer: events are “saturated in prayer for the success that they’ve had so far.”
• Emphasizes the enduring need for faithfulness, prayer, and God’s intervention.
  • [05:12] “…Unite Us gives credit not to their own work, but to the Holy Spirit and to events that are, as they put it, saturated in prayer for the success that they've had so far.”

6. The Bigger Picture: Hope Amid Negative Trends

• Contrasts encouraging reports with persistent “bad news” about college campuses.
• Notes genuine openness to spiritual conversations, possibly marking a "Kairos moment revival" or at least “testimonies of Christians who are willing to go public about their faith.”
• Stresses the importance of praying for genuine conversion and lasting fruit.
  • [06:05] “And whether this is merely a short lived fad on a few campuses or part of a real Kairos moment revival, that remains to be seen. But still we rejoice in what's happening in the hearts of students…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:18] “Something remarkable seems to be happening on college campuses around the country this fall.” — John Stonestreet
• [02:45] “That service attracted 6,500 people, with about 2,000 responding to an altar call, many of whom were baptized in tubs that were brought to campus in U-Hauls despite the frigid weather.” — John Stonestreet
• [03:22] “…the total number of students who have responded to an invitation to accept Christ at these events numbers in the thousands now.”
• [04:07] “Unite Us knows that, so they carefully walk those who respond through the gospel to make sure they understand what they’re doing.”
• [05:12] “Unite Us gives credit not to their own work, but to the Holy Spirit and to events that are, as they put it, saturated in prayer for the success that they’ve had so far.”
• [06:05] “Whether this is a short-lived fad or part of a real revival, we rejoice in what’s happening in students’ hearts…”

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 01:18 | Introduction of revival among college athletes | | 02:00 | Ohio State worship event and mass baptisms | | 02:45 | Second, larger rally and baptisms in cold weather | | 03:22 | Impact at other universities across the Southeast | | 04:07 | Addressing the need for discipleship and follow-up | | 05:12 | Acknowledging dependence on prayer and Holy Spirit | | 06:05 | Reflections on meaning: revival, hope, and prayer |

Tone and Style

• Language: Hopeful, celebratory, and thoughtfully analytical.
• Voice: Faith-forward, pastoral, and pragmatic.
• Message: Despite challenges and a generally negative narrative about youth and college culture, there is clear evidence of the gospel moving on campuses, and Christians should celebrate, support, and pray for long-term spiritual impact.

This summary highlights the episode’s central theme: powerful, prayerful gospel movements among college students, underscoring the need for thoughtful discipleship and continued prayer. The host urges joy, caution, and faith in response to these extraordinary events.