It’s an exciting time at Vanderbilt University, and not just because ESPN’s “College GameDay” is coming to town to highlight the 10th-ranked football team’s matchup against No. 15 Missouri. On Monday night, hundreds of students gathered on campus at the Alumni Lawn to worship God and hear from athletes about how He has worked in their lives.
The event was titled “Come As You Are” and was similar to other athlete-led faith events sprouting up across the United States. The night brought together Vanderbilt athletics with various Christian ministries on campus, and featured worship songs, testimonies from Commodore athletes, a time of prayer, free shirts and Bibles, and — of course — free food.
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“The inspiration of the event was from Ohio State,” Vanderbilt student organizer James Chen told Sports Spectrum.
The three testimonials Monday came from the football team’s Eli Stowers, the men’s basketball team’s Tyler Tanner, and the women’s soccer team’s Hannah McLaughlin.
“I’m so thankful for this opportunity to speak about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Stowers said, via an Instagram account dedicated to the event. “It’s through Him that we are able to inherit the Kingdom of God, and I hope to spread that message to others.”
Tanner was also eager to share the Good News of Jesus with his fellow students.
“I want to be able to spread the Gospel to as many people as possible,” he said, via the Instagram account. “I want others to feel the Lord and grow in their faith just like me.”
McLaughlin counted it as a gift to share what Christ has done in her life.
“Jesus has saved me and completely changed my life,” she said, “and to have the chance to speak about Him and what He’s done for me at an event like this is such a blessing.”
The movement toward Christianity amongst the younger generation has made it’s way into the athletic department at Vanderbilt, Chen said. Athletes from many of the school’s sports teams wore shirts advertising for “Come As You Are” in the weeks leading up to the event.
“You really, really see [a movement toward Christ] in the sports teams,” Chen said, noting that Stowers and quarterback Diego Pavia have helped develop a Christ-centered culture within the football program. There are now multiple team Bible studies, and many players pray before games.
“Not only is football doing that but basketball, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, baseball even — Vandy Boys,” Chen said. “Every single team on Vanderbilt’s campus has had something going on with it.”
Wonderful night worshipping at @VanderbiltU. @VandyFootball’s Eli Stowers, @VandyMBB’s Tyler Tanner & @VandySoccer’s Hannah McLaughlin shared their testimony! pic.twitter.com/m3LBzPmShy
— Lynden Blake (@LyndenBlake) October 21, 2025
“Our main foundational verse is Matthew 11:28: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,'” Chen explained. “That’s kind of how we came up with the name ‘Come As You Are’ because we wanted to make it very clear and evident that Jesus’ promise for rest and His salvation is for everyone.”
Christ is moving in powerful ways throughout the United States to draw young people to Himself — in dorm rooms, in locker rooms, and on Monday for all to see at Vanderbilt’s Alumni Lawn.
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