Across the U.S., college students are showing an increased interest in religious practices and related campus events.
On March 25, Pitt Purpose and Unite US held a service event at the Petersen Events Center that was attended by thousands of students, some of whom gathered outside for baptisms in a container of water on top of a truck bed.
There has been an increasing interest in Christian denominations across Pitt’s campus, reflecting a broader national trend within Gen Z of increasing involvement with religion. Unite US has hosted baptisms at multiple universities, including Auburn University, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Pittsburgh.
Conservative values are also increasing among Gen Z, with Gen Z voting for Republican candidates like Donald Trump more than in previous presidential elections.
The event grabbed media attention from national news outlets, including Fox News, which was on site interviewing those who were baptized.
Jake Overman, a graduate student pursuing a master’s in business administration and a tight end for the Pitt football team, founded Pitt Purpose at the beginning of 2025 as a religious organization for Pitt athletes. Although it initially began with the football team, their involvement quickly grew to include the baseball and softball teams. Eventually, at least one member of each Pitt varsity sport was participating as a part of their weekly Bible studies, according to Overman.
Overman said the athletic program has the capacity to reach the rest of campus and inspire students to join devout athletes.
“It wasn’t something I was seeking out of my own ambition. It was something God very clearly spoke to me to do,” Overman said. “I believe where the athletics program goes, a campus will follow.”
Overman said when people think about college, there are often ideas of partying, sex and drugs. Yet, Overman said that when people grow tired of these short-lived experiences, they should look to Jesus.
“When people get to college, [and] they’re having to fill something every week because they can’t get enough of it, they quickly will realize that this isn’t working,” Overman said. “We reach a point where we’re [wanting] to feel loved, and you realize the only place you can feel those things is by turning to Jesus and having a relationship with him.”
Adam Miller, a pastor at Life Church in Bridgeville, noted the emptiness college students feel in an atmosphere that chases empty pleasures.
“We end up chasing the next high and doing what we can to try to feel better about life, and it’s because within all of us, we’re wired for a relationship with Jesus,” Miller said. “Jesus loves everybody, but he’s really pursuing college students in Gen Z.”
Andrew Freedy, president of the Pitt Catholic Newman Club and a junior chemistry major, said religious involvement is “extremely important” in college. Freedy believes students should seek a purpose beyond the typical college scene when going through this transitional period of their lives.
“The constant should be God,” Freedy said. “When school is going downhill or when relationships are failing, God is the one people should be coming to. Oftentimes, we’re told to only think of ourselves in college, but religion is a way to realize something greater.”
Freedy believes Gen Z’s experiences with the world have caused them to seek deeper meaning in the world.
“Gen Z has grown up in a culture that has been very secularized,” Freedy said. “People search for meaning after being told for so long there really isn’t [any].”
Some studies suggest Gen Z men are at the forefront of the enthusiasm for religious and conservative values compared to Gen Z women. Overman believes Gen Z men are leading the way to the resurgence of religion in the generation as biblical leaders.
“I think what God is doing through [his plan] is he’s restoring order, and I think men, it’s very clear all throughout the Bible that they are to be leaders of the household and spiritual leaders,” Overman said.
Overman does not think, however, that there is a gender divide when it comes to religious worship. He said God is raising up “mighty women” to lead other women.
“I know that there are many powerful women who are raised up with God to lead this generation out of this sickness,” Overman said.
Freedy has not noticed a gender gap in attendance at the Catholic Newman Club, where numbers fluctuate throughout events and days.
“Overall, it’s pretty even, but at most events and retreats, you will see more women than men,” Freedy said.
Overman believes that conservatism aligns more with religious values and said Gen Z is becoming aware of where politicians’ values lie.
“I think that the right side does seem to cover [religion more], and I think that’s just because it seems to maybe align more with the values of conservative politicians, and I feel like Gen Z is reacting to the values that are being placed,” Overman said.
Freedy said there can be a correlation between the rise of conservatism and religion among Gen Z. He believes it is “radical” to be religious and conservative at college, and the two tend to overlap.
“People who are tending towards conservatism are more often than not religious, and the rise in radicalization has led people to be more religious than previous generations,” Freedy said.
Miller said in the current political moment, the Republican Party more so aligns with biblical values, but he noted that the kingdom of God is not a two-party system.
“People who are finding faith are leaning more conservative because they’re finding the conservative values represented,” Miller said.
Overman believes the religious revival will continue to spread at universities and will reach others towards God, especially in Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh in the future will be even more of a hub for Christians [and] a dwelling place for believers, and out of that we’re going to see more people come to know God,” Overman said.