UniteUS, a faith-based movement that has brought college students from all over the U.S. together since 2023, came to Lexington’s Rupp Arena on Feb. 12.
More than 8,000 people attended the event that featured speakers and worship leaders, including founder Tonya Prewitt, author Jennie Allen, pastor Johnathan Pokluda, and worship band Elevation Rhythm.
According to the organization’s website, every Unite gathering has three main objectives: salvation, freedom and community.
“Going all in means letting go of whatever is holding you back. It starts with understanding that the benefit of coming into a relationship with Jesus far outweighs the past,” Pokluda told those in attendance.
Throughout the night, the crowd heard messages of faith, purpose and transformation.
The event ended with thousands of people gathering outside of Rupp Arena until after midnight, where Pokluda, Prewitt and Allen baptized around 2,000 people in three large portable baptismal pools.
“After hearing the messages from the pastors and worshiping with nearly 8,000 people, I could feel it in my heart that the time had come, and I was ready to make that decision,” UK junior Ruthie Blane said. “Leaving, I felt so refreshed and in awe of how we had just seen God work in such intentional ways, not only in my life, but in the lives of the 2,000 people who surrendered their lives to Christ, and the many who made the decision of their lives by being baptized.”
Established at Auburn University on Sept. 12, 2023, UniteUS has events planned for 2025 at several universities, including Purdue, Ohio State, West Virginia, Southern Methodist and Baylor.
