On a recent Friday night, the signs were all there—a typical teenage party was brewing: cars crowding both sides of a quiet suburban street, teenage boys piling into a house by the dozen, lights glowing from the basement.
But inside this house, these teenage boys were up to something unique.
Rather than trashing the house, their shoes were stacked neatly by the door. Instead of booze, there were Bibles. Instead of drunken shouting, there was worship. And instead of rebellion, there was repentance.
Over thirty high school boys had crammed into the basement—not to cut loose, but to open God’s Word. They read Scripture, prayed, and sang. Their voices rose in praise. And upstairs, the host parents quietly recorded what they were hearing from below: a room full of young men worshiping Jesus with sincerity and power.
Audio Clip of Louisville-area high school boys singing during their peer-led Bible study.
I’m grateful the host dad, Andrew Fitzgibbon, sent the clip to me. I had only recently learned that my grandson Chapman, a junior at Christian Academy of Louisville, had started a peer-led Bible study with some close friends, including Andrew’s son, Ethan. What makes this even more remarkable is that it’s completely student-driven—not led by an adult, youth pastor, or teacher. These high school boys determined on their own to meet weekly for worship, Bible study, and accountability.
Andrew is the pastor at Okolona Christian Church, so I was thankful Chapman’s Bible study was with other strong Christian young men—but I had no idea of its magnitude. What began with a handful of boys has now grown to over thirty, and they’re already having conversations about moving to a larger space to accommodate the group.
I thank God that each of my grandsons is actively serving the Lord in some way. Chapman’s brother, Andy, a business student at Samford University, is preparing for a year-long church internship in Birmingham after spending this summer serving at a Christian camp. Johnny, also a college student, serves on staff at New Day Christian in Florida alongside his brother Charlie. Tommy is leading worship at Hikes Point in Louisville. I don’t say this to elevate my family, but as personal testimony that it feels as though something unusual—something holy—continues to stir in the hearts of the next generation.
The Old Testament recounts the history of King Josiah, the young Jewish king who brought revival to Israel (see 2 Kings 22–23 and 2 Chronicles 34–35). Josiah managed to turn a rebellious people back to God, thereby delaying the Lord’s pronounced judgment on the nation. Like Josiah did for the nation of Israel, I’ve long believed that if revival comes to America, it will likely come through young people.
There are increasing signs on America’s high school and college campuses. The Asbury revival, the baptisms and testimonies of Ohio State and Auburn football teams, and the spiritual revival at the University of Arkansas were unheard of a generation ago.
Two weeks ago, CBN News reported that 7,752 were baptized in the Pacific Ocean near Huntington Beach, California—even though it was a chilly, rainy day. For nine hours people kept coming. Pastor Mark Francey, the Baptize California event organizer, said, “…it was like we were living inside the book of Acts.”
That was in California, an area that has become increasingly hostile toward Christian faith. But “where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). The Lord often does His most impressive work in the most unlikely places.
From stadium-sized baptism services to basement Bible studies, the signs are everywhere. And none of it is slick, branded, or manufactured. It’s grassroots. It’s local. And in many cases—it’s student-led.
Maybe, like Josiah, today’s youth are fed up with the false gods of materialism, immorality, hypocrisy, and worldly pleasure. Maybe they’ve had enough of a culture so confused it can’t define what a woman is and doesn’t see anything wrong with men competing in women’s sports. Maybe they are disgusted with girls performing on their OnlyFans social media platforms and seeing guys addicted to porn. They’re turned off by their parents and church leaders going through the motions of a lukewarm faith, when it’s obvious that this era demands a radical commitment. They are certainly hungry for something more—something authentic—and they are genuinely seeking after God.
This spiritual hunger is not driven by hype or emotionalism. It’s the reaction of a generation that has been handed emptiness and is now searching for substance. They’re looking for truth. They’re seeking Jesus.
I’ve learned that many campus pastors are now doing their best to enroll eager converts in ongoing discipleship ministries. That’s essential. Because revival without repentance is just emotional noise. And revival without discipleship is just a moment that fades.
Let’s pray this is more than a passing moment. Let’s ask God to continue stirring the hearts of this new generation—that He will use them, like Josiah, to turn a nation back to Himself. Because America, “Unless we repent, we shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
These young people are not looking for entertainment. They’re not asking for easy answers. They’re crying out for authentic faith.
And if they’re willing to lead—we must be willing to follow, support, and disciple.
Let’s not miss what God is doing.
Because when teenage boys willingly fill a basement to worship Jesus—that’s not normal. That’s revival.
