Southeastern University Cancels Classes as Multi-Day Worship and Repentance Service Breaks Out
by Emily Brown
February 12, 2026
Student-led worship and repentance has been ongoing at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, prompting the school to pause classes to adapt to a spiritual moment that’s drawing comparisons to the spiritual outpouring that happened at Asbury University in 2023.
“We have no idea what is happening,” said Jonathan Rivera, SEU’s campus pastor. “We just know that something is happening.”The service started as part of a student conference being held at a nearby church this week. When author Jennie Allen concluded her message Wednesday morning, she invited the approximately 2,300 students to publicly confess their sins. For 15 minutes, students loudly called out things like pornography, fear, insecurity, anger, adultery,
even abortion.
“It was probably one of the wildest things I’ve ever experienced in my entire life,” Rivera said. “What it created wasn’t shame. It created this sense of freedom. Something broke in the room immediately.”
What followed was extended worship and altar ministry that university officials initially tried to accommodate by pushing back breakout sessions. Within hours, they canceled conference sessions entirely, then all classes.The gathering continued at the church from approximately until 10:30 p.m., when the university had to return the rented space. Leaders faced a decision: let the moment end or continue back in the campus chapel.
When students returned to SEU’s chapel at midnight, 550 people were already waiting outside the chapel.
The worship service has continued without interruption since midnight Wednesday, with confession, Bible reading, prayer and testimonies.
“The students are leading all of this,” Rivera said. “Their energy, their hunger, they’re the ones leading the room.”
Students brought blankets, sleeping bags and pillows to remain in the chapel. Many chose not to return to dorm rooms less than 100 yards away. On Thursday morning, a woman drove six hours from Atlanta after watching the livestream because, according to Rivera, she felt she “needed to be present.”
The university canceled all classes Wednesday afternoon and again Thursday. Faculty, staff and administrators have joined students in the chapel, which holds 750-800 people.
It continues with Instragram vids.
Latest Updates on the Outpouring Happening on our Campus February 14, 2026 SEU students worshiping at chapel Latest Updates & Information As we steward this miraculous move of God, our primary goal is to care for our students well while making space for the broader body of Christ to seek the Lord with us. To steward a moment such as this, we are implementing the following schedule:
Morning: 9:00 AM start (there will be no morning service on Sunday) Evening: 7:00 PM start Join us via the livestream here SEU Students, Faculty, and Staff: You are welcome to come to the chapel at any time throughout the day and into the night. You will be required to present an SEU ID to receive a wristband upon entry.
Broader Community: We welcome external visitors who desire to participate in what God is doing on our campus. To ensure our primary focus remains on serving our students, faculty, and staff well, we invite you to join us during the following designated hours:
Morning: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Evening: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Community Guidelines If you choose to join us, we simply ask that you come prayerfully, ready to seek Jesus with us. This move of God is a divine resource and a gift. It requires us to yield our will and constantly point the way back to Christ.
General Guidelines for Guests:
No weapons of any kind Must be willing to go through security checkpoint Wide-angle photos only using cell phone (No cameras allowed) Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated In order to protect our students and all who are attending services, we are operating out of an abundance of caution and are maintaining strict guidelines regarding physical contact with those participating in this amazing move of God.
Parking & Check-In Details: Public parking is available to the the community in SEU’s west lot on Longfellow Boulevard and the Crystal Lake United Methodist Church. Please follow the map below for directions to parking & the community check-point when you arrive on campus.
A Move of God at SEU Conference What began as a spark during Southeastern University’s annual SEU Conference has extended into a powerful, sustained Move of God in Bush Chapel. This was not born of our own efforts; rather, it is the result of months of prayer and surrendering to the will of God.
Do It Again There was a fire that was lit during the five sessions of SEU Conference, but it did not leave when the speakers stepped off the stage. We witnessed students with hearts of desperation and hunger returning to their first love. The theme of the conference was Do it Again, just asking that the Lord would come and show us His love and power again. He has surpassed our expectations, Unleashing a move of God onto our campus.
For over 24 hours, our students have remained in a posture of continuous worship, prayer, and seeking the presence of Jesus. This is not about noise or an emotional high. Instead, it is about a deep hunger and desire to be formed in the image of Christ.
Lives Transformed We are not just witnessing an event on campus; we are witnessing the commissioning of a people. Our goal is to sit at the feet of Jesus so that when we eventually leave this room, we leave transformed. Every sphere of influence we enter, whether the classroom or the marketplace, will witness the foundation built in these sacred moments.
If you feel led to support what God is doing on our campus and help us with the increased facilities costs associated with this time, you can do so here. Your generosity helps us continue to steward this move of God with excellence. For ongoing updates and further information, please continue to check the SEU website.