‘Revival Is Here,’ Jennie Allen Says of the Spiritual Movement Sweeping the World
The visionary leader behind such Christian events as Gather25 says she believes revival is sweeping across the world—and she is praying it doesn’t stop. Speaker and author Jennie Allen helped launch Gather25, which brought together millions of believers around the world in March for a 25-hour global worship service involving individuals from 225 countries and territories. Allen also has been a speaker within the UniteUS college movement, in which students gather in arenas to worship and hear the gospel. Thousands upon thousands of students have responded in faith.
“I think revival is here,” Allen told Crosswalk Headlines. “I don't think it's coming—I think it's here.”
The UniteUS movement began in 2023 at Auburn University, where thousands of students came together for worship—and spontaneous baptisms soon followed. Since then, the movement has spread to campuses across the country, including Baylor, Southern Methodist University, Ohio State, Purdue, Tennessee and Kentucky.
“For all the darkness, for all the anxiety, the depression—that loneliness sure does create a lot of the desperation for God. And we go to these campuses and we ask, ‘Are you anxious? Are you lonely?’ And every single light comes on and phones are raised. And it's sad—it's the whole room. But when we lay out the gospel, they want Jesus. It’s a special time to be alive.”
Some 5,000 students gathered this year at Baylor and West Virginia. At Ohio State, 6,500 students packed the arena.
“I've been on 17 college campuses with Unite, and it has been ridiculous what God is doing. We can't believe it. We just genuinely can't believe it. And then we hosted Gather25—we had over 7 million people watching across the global church, from every continent to every continent, and the unity that was there.
“Yes, I think there's a hunger for God that is fresh, and I believe He's blessing it and pouring out His Spirit. We saw it at Asbury [in 2023], and it's just spread from there.”
When asked if the 2020 pandemic sparked the movement by prompting people to question the very purpose of life, Allen replied candidly, “I don’t know.”
“I think that's part of it,” Allen said. “... But ultimately, I just want more of it. I'm like, ‘God, please don't stop. Whatever’s happening—let it rain more. Let the storms come in and roll and may You be glorified and may the world worship You because You are worthy of worship.”
Photo credit: ©UniteUS
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published April 25, 2025.
