UNITE Recap Report 2026

UNITE: Birmingham Partnership Report june 2026

UNITE: Birmingham UNITE: Birmingham honored God by uniting over 100 area churches to lift up the name of Jesus and change lives. 289 decisions were recorded for Christ and thousands gathered throughout the weekend!

Saturday night, June 6, was marked by beautiful weather, powerful worship led by Chandler Moore and STS Worship, and a clear presentation of the Gospel.

Sunday, June 7, was expected to be our largest night, with Chris Tomlin and Charity Gayle joining Scott Dawson as he shared the Gospel. Weather forecasts predicted significant rain, but God graciously held back the storms long enough for thousands to gather and hear the hope of Jesus Christ. Charity led an incredible time of worship, and Scott preached the Gospel with passion and clarity.

Just as the message concluded and the invitation began, a lightning delay forced us to pause the event. What appeared to be an obstacle became another reminder that God's work cannot be stopped. Despite lightning delays, weather protocols, and cancellations, people continued responding to the Gospel. Hundreds surrendered their lives to Christ that night. SDEA has always been about one thing—the Gospel, no matter the circumstances—and God faithfully brought a harvest. People came to hear His Word and left changed, even if a little more soaked by the rain than they expected.

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void.”

- Isaiah 55:11

STS Mission: STS Mission is an event held alongside every UNITE gathering. It provides students from across the country with the opportunity to learn how to share their faith and engage unbelievers with the Gospel. One unique benefit of hosting this year’s UNITE event in Birmingham was the opportunity for students to experience the SDEA Evangelism Center firsthand.

Nearly 100 students gathered in Purvis Chapel to worship, be equipped and challenged to evangelize, and then be sent into the community to put their faith into action. Churches from across the region entrusted us with their students and joined us in fulfilling the call of Matthew 28. Whether knocking on doors in downtown Birmingham, serving in retirement communities, or partnering with local schools, these students learned what it means to step out in faith and boldly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

— Matthew 28:18-20

stories of life change unite Story Sometimes the stories we hear come from the most unexpected places. We used a local company to provide linens for several catered meals during the event. When we returned the linens the Monday after UNITE, the owner came out personally because he had something he wanted to share.

His 11-year-old grandson had attended UNITE the night before and had made the decision to surrender his life to Jesus Christ. Even with the lightning delays and logistical challenges surrounding the invitation, his heart was moved, and the young boy told his grandparents on the drive home that he was ready to follow Jesus. They prayed with him in the car that night.

Though our team never had the opportunity to speak directly with him, stories like this remind us that God is always at work. We are confident there are hundreds of similar testimonies that we may never fully hear this side of Heaven. The Holy Spirit continues moving even when we are not present to facilitate the conversation or witness the decision firsthand.

William’s Story One of those who made a decision for Christ that night came through a story close to home. William, a 22-year-old Birmingham resident is the brother of our STS worship leader, Chris. William grew up attending church but drifted away when his family stopped going. For some time, he had felt a growing sense that something was missing in his life—a need for purpose, direction, and motivation.

Chris had been praying faithfully for his family and invited them to attend UNITE on Saturday night. While leading worship from the stage, Chris watched as his entire family stood during the first invitation, then sat back down. When Scott gave a second invitation, William stood again, and this time the family walked forward together to receive prayer and counseling.

Later that evening, William shared with Chris that he felt compelled to respond in a way that was completely outside of his normal personality. As someone who describes himself as naturally introverted, he felt a clear prompting and courage that could only come from the Holy Spirit.

Chris reminded him that God had been preparing his heart long before Saturday night. It was a powerful moment of surrender and a reminder that God is always working behind the scenes.

A Changed Life Another powerful decision was from a man whom a SDEA staff member met during the invitation on Saturday night.

He had spent nearly a decade in prison. Throughout those ten years, his wife faithfully prayed for him and waited for him to be released from prison. Though he had previously professed faith, he knew he had never fully surrendered his life to Christ.

When the invitation was given, he was one of the first people moving toward the front. He was ready. Having been released from prison only three weeks earlier and currently living in a halfway house, he understood his life was at a crossroad—but now he was beginning to understand his deep spiritual need as well.

Soon after, his wife approached in tears. She shared that they had driven nearly an hour and a half, praying that something would happen to change his life. God answered those prayers that night. Through relationships already established in the area, we were able to connect him with a pastor and the church family from his town so he can continue growing in his faith and remain connected to a local body of believers.

follow-up One of our highest priorities is connecting every person who makes a decision for Christ with a local church. We never want a decision to be the finish line; we want it to be the starting point of a lifelong journey of faith.

Because of the network of churches God has allowed us to build over the last 40 years, each individual who responds to the Gospel is connected within forty-eight hours with a local church and receives one of our New Believer Guidebooks, which provides practical practical, step-by-step guidance for growing in their relationship with Christ. Through church connections, discipleship resources, and continued follow-up, our goal is to help every new believer take meaningful next steps in their walk with Jesus.

thank you As we reflect on all that God did through UNITE Birmingham, we are reminded of the power of united evangelistic efforts. Every prayer offered, every gift given, and every act of support plays a role in making encounters like these possible. Because of your partnership, thousands heard the Gospel, hundreds made decisions for Christ, and lives were changed for eternity.

Thank you for believing in this mission and for standing with us as we take the hope of Jesus to cities across America. We are deeply grateful for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and generosity, and we look forward with anticipation to all God will do as we continue to proclaim the Gospel.

Scott Dawson

Upcoming SDEA Events: STS Institute First Day

Student Pastor think tank

Safe at Home Frisco

EH2 (Empty Hell, Enlarge Heaven Lead Pastor Retreat)

august 11, 2026

August 16, 2026

STS Institute family weekend/Preview Day August 28-29, 2026

SDEA Golf Tournament September 15, 2026

Student Pastor Intensive September 28–29, 2026

September 29-30, 2026

October 19–21, 2026

STS Institute Night of Worship/Preview Night November 15, 2026

STS December Conference December 28–30, 2026

STS January Conference January 16–18, 2027

www.scottdawson.org 210 Wildwood Parkway, Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35209 1 (800) 869-8738 | info@scottdawson.org