When was the last time you heard about a gathering of young people that didn’t involve a TikTok challenge or mindless chaos? Well, there’s a refreshing change of pace happening at the University of Cincinnati, where 5,500 students recently attended an event that can only be described as a breath of fresh air for the world of academia. What was the occasion? A rally dubbed the “Freedom in Get Together,” which brought students to their feet in a way that no regurgitated video trend ever could.
This event wasn’t just about gathering a crowd. It was a transformative experience that saw hundreds of participants taking the next step in their spiritual journeys by getting baptized. The atmosphere, as one might imagine, was electric. No heads buried in textbooks or faces awash in the glow of a phone screen—just pure, unfiltered presence and joy. It’s like a scene from one of those feel-good movies where people rediscover the purpose and call it a “freedom night” for good reason.
One compelling testimony from the event highlighted its profound impact. A student who walked in battling suicidal thoughts left the event reborn with newfound hope and was baptized that same night. The idea that a simple gathering can flip the script on someone’s life is something truly remarkable. While the world outside is busy worrying over faceless algorithms attempting to manipulate emotions, here was a clear-cut example of how faith could rescue a life.
As if the spiritual reawakening wasn’t enough, the event featured numerous students unshackling themselves from the chains of societal pressures, addictions, and depression. While the skeptics may raise their eyebrows at the notion of these young people choosing baptism, those at the event believe it was a beautiful display of liberation and newfound purpose. Unite’s belief in the worth of each individual found a powerful expression here, a poignant reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a plunge into water to embrace a new beginning.
Amidst this sea of positive change, there was also a call for action in the wake of tragic events spurring fear on campuses. The assassination of Charlie Kirk had sent ripples of concern, but the students responded not with despair, but with collective prayer and resolve. Pop-Up Praise, a campus group, led an impromptu night of prayer that embodied the spirit of protection and community. While some might shrug it off as naïve optimism, maybe we could all learn a thing or two from these students turning faith into action. God bless those who are saving lives in more ways than one.
