God has been doing incredible things in and through the Ohio State football program in the lead-up to the 2024 college football season.
On Sunday evening, a number of current Ohio State players held a faith event on campus, organized by former receiver Kamryn Babb and attended by both OSU students and others from around the United States. The Lantern, Ohio State’s independent student newspaper, reported that the event was made possible through a collaboration of a number of local Christian churches in the Columbus area.
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The event featured prayer, baptisms, player testimonies and worship of God through song. Babb’s mother wrote on X that more than 2,000 people were present.
The most incredible night I have experienced in a longggg time! God is moving on The Ohio State campus!
So many came and were touched by God! So many were baptized! Watching over 2000 students worshipping…an Unbelievable experience! Our boys are changing lives! #ProudMama pic.twitter.com/dzrc4l8DfT— ꪖꪶꪖꪀꪖ 🌹 (@AlanaTempleton) August 26, 2024
“I just encourage you to step out in faith,” Babb said during his initial address to the crowd. “Whatever you’re going through in life — whatever you’ve been through — I’m telling you there’s a God that desires you. So as we get into this worship, as we get into everything, we pray that you would see Him as He sees you. So as we get into this night, let’s give Him the glory.”
The Lantern reported that the players came equipped with 10,000 Bibles to give to those who wanted them.
Buckeyes receiver Emeka Egbuka was among the players who shared his testimony of faith in Jesus.
“The world didn’t give me this joy, the world can’t take it away. I had this new feeling in my heart that the Holy Spirit implanted into me,” he said. “And so since then, it was really a radical change for me. I started walking more obediently with God. I started seeking Him day after day. He’s worked on me, and I’ve had this grace of people in my life to get to this point.”
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Running back TreVeyon Henderson also spoke to the crowd.
“Jesus changed my life, set me free from my sin, made me holy, made me righteous” he said. “I’m only righteous because of what the Lord has done for me. It wasn’t anything I did, it was Jesus. It was Jesus. And He wants to do the same for you.”
Henderson continued later: “[Jesus] died for each and every single one of us. God showed His love for us on the cross. The blood that He shed. He says, ‘By His stripes we are healed.'”
I’m living proof of what the mercy of God can do, for all the things I’ve done and the choices made that I regret I would still be lost. But Jesus took the old me and he made it new, that’s what the mercy of God can do.
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,… pic.twitter.com/yFV4ZYOgtB
— TreVeyon Henderson (@TreVeyonH4) July 31, 2024
Two other current players who shared their testimonies were tight end Gee Scott and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, and former OSU running back Master Teague also spoke.
“The Lord God is the foundation of who we are as Polynesians,” Tuimoloau said of his personal introduction to the Christian faith.
Babb took the mic at the conclusion of the testimonies and offered some parting words for those in attendance.
“That’s a testimony of who God is, and I’m here to tell you, for all of you that are here — whether you know Jesus or not — there’s more. There’s more for you,” he said. “Don’t let this just be a night where you come hear some football players and then you leave and you go home and (say), ‘That was a cool event!’ Eternity is on the line.”
Babb posted a promotional video on Instagram two weeks ago for the event, dubbed “The Fall Kickoff: An Invitation to Jesus,” in which some of the players spoke about the importance of faith in Christ.
“Over the last couple years we’ve really seen the Lord start a revival on our team,” Egbuka said in the video.
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According to Cru ministry field staff member Andrew Ardle, at least 21 Buckeye players also arrived at fall camp sporting “Jesus Won” or other Christ-centered T-shirts.
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God has brought together a number of devout followers of Christ on the Ohio State football team, and He’s already borne astounding spiritual fruit. Through the players’ boldness in sharing their faith, their generosity with their time, their heart to see others come to Christ, and their initiative in coordinating ministry events, it appears as though God has brought a revival on the football team that’s spreading throughout Columbus and beyond.
Ohio State will begin its football season at home against Akron on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, ranked No. 2 in the nation and one of the national championship favorites. The Buckeyes boast six total preseason All-America selections, four on the first team (including Egbuka) and two on the second team (including Henderson).
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