What if revival isn’t something we’re waiting for, but something we’re witnessing right now? On Indiana Wesleyan University’s campus, something extraordinary is stirring in the hearts of this generation. In chapel gatherings, small groups, summer camps, and spontaneous moments of worship, the Holy Spirit is transforming Gen Z and sparking revival.

For Andrea Summers, dean of spiritual formation and campus pastor at IWU, this moment has been years in the making. In 2016, Summers attended the Lausanne Movement Conference for Younger Leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia. In a room filled with 1,500 church leaders from around the world, Summers felt God calling her to foster spiritual awakening in the next generation, inviting her to be part of work far bigger than either her or IWU.

Now, in 2025, spiritual awakening has been unfolding on IWU’s campus in remarkable ways. From nearly 200 small groups meeting on campus during the school year to thousands of high school students committing their lives to Christ during the summer, it seems safe to say the Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts of Gen Z.

Summers believes part of what makes this generation so open to Christ’s calling is that many have experienced deep brokenness — whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. While modern challenges differ from those of previous generations, they also create unique opportunities for spiritual growth and restoration, helping to spur today’s youth towards deeper relationships with Christ and fostering a burning desire for Kingdom-change.

“I love the way the Holy Spirit is uniquely moving in Gen Z and equipping them to bring spiritual awakening to the church at large and to teach older generations something about what it means to walk in the Spirit,” Summers said. “Getting to see how God is moving in Gen Z and being a conduit to help that come to fruition on campus is really exciting to me.”

John Drury, professor of theology and ministry and campus intercessor, believes that Summers’ arrival was a catalyst, due to her passion for spiritual renewal.

“She was the one talking about awakening and making connections down at Asbury so that when outpouring was happening in 2023, our students were staying in the houses of elders there because we already had those relationships with them,” Drury said. “The way she prioritized prayer and awakening made it so that when lightning struck there were conduits for it to spread through. On the final night of the Asbury outpouring, one of the speakers on the platform was one of our students because we already had those relationships.”

With Summers’ arrival came an intentional  committed to small groups. Today, up to 70% of IWU’s residential students are estimated to be actively engaged in at least one small group. For many, the addition of small groups has had a profound impact on their spiritual connections with other believers and become a time of fellowship within a consistent faith community.

“There’s a spiritual vitality and vibrancy on this campus that’s connected to a web of relationships,” Summers said. “It’s become woven into our culture, and when people from other schools hear the numbers, their jaws drop. I don’t know why God’s blessing us in this way, but it’s really special.”

Drury believes the work Summers leads connects back to the heart of The Wesleyan Church, both bringing new people in and having a profoundly positive impact on the lives of a generation longing to see God in their lives.

“Awakening was a central piece of what the Wesley brothers did,” Drury said. “It wasn’t just about stirring people up but getting them organized in groups where they could encourage and push each other to grow.”

Today, Gen Z is increasingly seeking Christ in unprecedented ways. From over 2,000 high school students accepting Christ this July on IWU’s campus to the vibrant faith community of the university’s students and beyond, evidence of monumental change is everywhere. 

“We see revival coming to fruition not just on this campus, but also on campuses everywhere,” Summers said. “There’s something bubbling up we want to pay attention to.”

While we may not be able to see it clearly right now, the evidence is all around us: God is doing something extraordinary in this generation. Our role is to champion it, support Gen Z, and remain faithful stewards of what God is unfolding before our eyes.