Stress gummies do not work. 

I took a couple to relax on a random Tuesday night, thinking I was just going to put on a movie and fall asleep peacefully. That is, until my friends invited me to Breakaway. 

According to their website, Breakaway is a Bible study that aims to teach God’s word and to help others encounter God’s presence. 

I’ll admit, I was reluctant to go at first. Not only did I have no clue when the gummies were going to kick in, I’d also seen some crazy posts online about Breakaway and I wasn’t sure it was for me. Even though I’m Christian I tend to shy away from this type of evangelical Christianity; even if it’s gospel-centered, it’s too flashy for me. 

But you only live once, so I went to Breakaway. 

Before even walking into Reed Arena, I could hear music. Very loud music. One step in and I was accosted with volunteers saying “Hello!” and “We are so glad you are here, welcome in!” Stand after stand was filled with merchandise, credit cards swiping like the Fall 2024 collection of Zara just dropped — didn’t Jesus flip tables over because of this? 

Once I got to the actual arena, it was like I walked into an Ed Sheeran concert. Smoke was being ejected from machines like the Aggie football team was walking out before a game, people were on their knees crying out while music blared from the high-tech sound system and cameras on large rigs were literally flying around to capture every angle of the performance. 

Nothing necessarily is wrong with this, but it was just too much for me. The stress gummies definitely didn’t work, and my anxiety was steadily rising. 

Then the “executive director” — not pastor, for some reason — walked out. He wore an outfit I’ve definitely seen on Northgate, and something Preachers and Sneakers would have a field day posting about. He hyped the people up and prepared them for what was to come next. It felt like the greatest pep rally I’d ever been to. 

As the music calmed down, I noticed something. The people who were just on their knees sobbing got up and walked back to their seats like nothing happened. The people who were just passionately screaming their prayers with their hands pointed up to God sat down, went on their phones and began texting nonchalantly. 

What just happened? Why did everyone return to normal like a robotic reset to factory settings? And while the Bible was being preached, all I could see were people laughing and talking with their friends, scrolling on Instagram and TikTok and ignoring God’s message. In other words, not breaking away from the world.

So if no one was there to hear the word of God, why does everyone go? Are they just there for the live music? 

The expectation is to listen to the Gospel, to break away from digital exhaustion and our harsh realities. Yes, worship is a supplement to that, but to my eyes that did not seem like the case. Rather, it seemed like people just came for some live music. If that’s what you like, go to a concert. 

Worship should be an act of obedience towards God. You should come to Breakaway for exactly that, not for some notion of a yassified Jesus concert. I might be wrong — I’m not the head of Breakaway, nor am I a pastor. But Jesus is the main directive here, not an aesthetic.  

Honestly, what’s so different about Breakaway than Northgate every weekend? You hit the bars to listen to some banging music and have a full-body engagement. With the exception of scripture, you’re doing the exact same thing at Breakaway — minus the intoxication. Where has the reverence for God gone? Take your frat flick somewhere else. It’s not needed where God is. 

Listen, I’m not trying to discredit Breakaway. I’m sure everyone has good intentions. As a follower of Christ, the last thing I want to do is not bring others to Christ. Breakaway is succeeding in my wishes; it’s incredible that our campus — and this great nation — allows us to have an organization where we get to worship our God freely. 

But, I ask this question: With the church’s popularity in decline, is it a good idea to promote this kind of pop-Christianity? Is an atmosphere that creates more of a spectacle than holy contemplation really enough to grow our faith? 

If people come to Breakaway just for theatrics and performance — not to actually hear the Gospel of Christ — is this substitution of belief for idolatry the true means to salvation? 

Joshua Abraham is a kinesiology junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.