PITTSBURGH — On the evening of October 13, 2025, roughly 300 students gathered in the University of Pittsburgh’s student union, raising their hands in worship, clapping, and kneeling as they sang songs of devotion. Despite midterms and televised NFL games, the room pulsed with energy as students sought a deeper connection with faith. The event, part of the Pitt for Jesus initiative, was spearheaded by football players and student leaders committed to fostering Christian engagement on campus.
The chapter, affiliated with the charismatic, evangelical denomination Assemblies of God, has grown rapidly since its launch in 2022 by Jordan Kolarik, a 34-year-old former high school teacher. Initially started with just eight volunteers, the group now counts 77 small group leaders overseeing hundreds of students, creating a dynamic network of mentorship and discipleship. Kolarik jokes that the structure operates “sort of like a pyramid scheme for Jesus,” yet emphasizes the serious spiritual impact on students.
The growth of this chapter coincides with broader religious activity on campus. The Pittsburgh Oratory, a Catholic campus ministry, expanded Sunday Mass services to accommodate surging attendance, while football-related evangelistic events have led to hundreds of students publicly professing faith in Christ or participating in baptisms. Nationwide, similar movements, such as UniteUS, report thousands of college students making commitments to Christ in recent years, suggesting an increased engagement with structured Christian practices among Generation Z.
Despite claims of a national revival following the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, some religious researchers caution that the language of “revival” may overstate current trends. Studies indicate that while Gen Z remains among the least likely to attend traditional services, those who are involved often participate more consistently than previous generations. According to recent data, active Gen Z churchgoers attend roughly 1.9 times per month, slightly exceeding millennial participation. While this demonstrates a notable level of commitment, experts describe it more accurately as “renewal” rather than a sweeping revival, reflecting pockets of heightened engagement rather than a nationwide surge.
Students participating in these campus ministries describe faith as offering stability and purpose amid global uncertainty. For many, including University of Pittsburgh football players, engagement with Christian practices provides clarity and fulfillment where other pursuits — social, recreational, or therapeutic — have fallen short. Senior tight end Jake Overman shared how a personal spiritual encounter led him to establish “The Pitt Men of God,” a weekly Bible study for teammates that complements broader campus outreach efforts, including alcohol-free social events and evangelism initiatives.
Chi Alpha small group leaders, such as 20-year-old Joshua Raj, emphasize that Gen Z peers are drawn to faith amidst the chaos of contemporary society, seeking moral frameworks and meaningful community experiences. Many students report transformative relationships with God, describing a sense of being deeply known and loved. Leadership within these groups encourages both personal discipleship and outward expressions of faith, ranging from peer mentorship to organized community events that integrate spiritual growth with social interaction.
While the impact of these campus movements is tangible, experts note that claims of a nationwide revival remain speculative. Revival traditionally implies a massive, sustained increase in religious adherence and public participation, comparable to historical awakenings in American history. Current trends reflect a mix of steady participation among committed students and localized enthusiasm rather than a sweeping generational shift.
Nevertheless, the engagement of Gen Z at institutions like the University of Pittsburgh highlights a notable change in spiritual behavior. In a world marked by uncertainty, conflict, and rapid cultural change, many young adults are gravitating toward faith communities that provide structure, moral guidance, and relational support. High-energy, student-led initiatives are creating spaces where devotion is both experiential and relational, suggesting a renewed interest in Christianity among those who are often assumed to be disengaged from organized religion.
These developments point to a nuanced understanding of faith trends among Generation Z: not a full-scale revival, but a meaningful resurgence of interest in structured religious communities, personalized discipleship, and active engagement with spiritual life. As these student-led movements grow, they could shape both campus culture and the broader landscape of American Christianity in the coming years.
