Sister Cindy visits KU campus on nationwide college tour
Internet sensation and gospel preacher Cindy Smock, better known as “Sister Cindy,” visited students at the University of Kansas during her nationwide college campus tour.
Smock became known for attracting large crowds of college students after going viral on TikTok in 2021 while unconventionally preaching the gospel on several college campuses.
On Wednesday, Smock accumulated a large crowd of students outside of Wescoe Hall to listen to her preach her infamous “Ho No Mo” movement.
“I’m the leader of the Ho No Mo Revolution, talking hell is hot, don’t be a thot,” Smock said. “Young people are our future leaders, so they’re key people to me with the gospel.”
Smock has traveled to college campuses for over 40 years and visited hundreds of universities, but became well-known on social media in 2021, gaining over 400,000 followers on TikTok.
She said she believes young people, especially Generation Z, are the most important audience for her beliefs.
“I’m excited that Gen Z is rising up,” Smock said. “Young people are at a crossroads in life where they’re considering what life is all about. We’re here with some answers.”
Junior River Ball said she planned her entire day around watching Smock after seeing her on campus last fall. Ball said she enjoys the fact that “you never know what she’s going to say.”
“Coming from someone who isn’t religious at all, all of the points that she makes and things that she says, I have no belief in it whatsoever,” Ball said. “I solely come here to see how crazy things get.”
Other students, such as senior Maximilian Whittaker, who said he identifies as Christian, said Smock is more focused on creating a spectacle than on changing people’s beliefs.
“I would say it’s generally just to arouse an audience and create an emotional reaction, but it is not at all cooperating with historical Christian beliefs or doctrine,” Whittaker said. “I would ask her to not do this anymore and to actually study Christianity thoughtfully, carefully, and see… just how she has a contrary belief to historical Christianity.”
Ball said she doesn’t think Smock is actually changing students’ beliefs, but instead doing it for publicity.
“I think she recognizes a bunch of people are going to see me and I’m going to get a bunch of exposure, and that’s what she really cares about,” he said.
Smock said she doesn’t mind negativity or hecklers at her gatherings because she is a supporter of free speech.
“That’s the wonder of America. There’s no other country in the world where I would have the freedom to do what I do,” Smock said. “We have a wonderful opportunity for exchange of ideas. I believe the truth wins out, so I don’t mind being interrupted, mocked or heckled.”
Although Smock’s next stop on her tour is Kansas State University, she says KU has been one of her favorite campuses to visit for years.
Watch the segment here:
