Why do you do the things I do? You must really believe in the work if you continue to raise support?

Yes. That is true. The reality is that I believe strongly in providing mentorship and stability to the next generation. I believe in the hope of this generation to better the world. I believe in mobilizing and championing those that will be doing the work after me.

For years, the story of faith and the younger generation was a simple, depressing one: they’re leaving the faith and not coming back. But according to recent data from the Barna Group, the narrative is getting a dramatic rewrite. Reports from 2025 show a historic reversal in attendance trends, with Gen Z and Millennials now leading the pack in regular church attendance. YEAH! That gives hope for the future!

 For the first time in decades, young men are now attending church more frequently than women. Young adults are leading a surge in personal commitments to Jesus Christ, a hunger for something more authentic than what is offered by the digital world. But they need someone to walk alongside of them.

While the pews may be filling with new faces, Barna’s research also reveals the deeper needs and struggles that young adults face. Their faith is often shallow, disconnected, and rooted in a deep sense of loneliness.

Mental health is a major concern. Despite being the most digitally connected generation, young adults report high levels of loneliness and anxiety. Alarmingly, only one in six said their faith helped them cope with emotional struggles. We want to change this statistic.

The faith they grew up with was not enough. Many young people who leave their faith describe their experience as shallow and unequipped for the real world. A quarter of dropouts said their “faith is not relevant to my career or interests”. A major factor for those who remained connected to their faith is having been taught how to integrate their passions and gifts into God’s calling. This is where I concentrate a lot of my time.

Culture matters more than ever. Young people are acutely aware of the tension between faith and the wider culture, with a quarter of dropouts believing Christianity is “anti-science”. They crave a community where they can ask tough questions and express doubts without judgment.

What does this mean for ministry now?

For leaders in ministry, this new reality demands more than a pat on the back for higher attendance. The new data is a call to action for deeper, more relational discipleship.

• Prioritize relationships over programs. Young adults crave authentic, intentional mentoring relationships, not just another event on the calendar.
• Embrace cultural dialogue. Develop a safe space to discuss real-world issues and provide guidance on how faith intersects with all aspects of life.
• Engage digitally. Leverage digital tools and communication to foster community and discipleship throughout the week.
• Empower younger generations. Instead of waiting for young people to reach a certain age, churches should invest in developing their leadership and potential now.

The rise of young people in the pews is a hopeful sign, but the deeper work lies in cultivating a resilient faith that can withstand the challenges of the modern world.

And so, this is where I’m focusing time to try and develop a resiliency now and multiply our leaders across campuses!