What's All This Talk About Gen Z?

Everywhere you turn, people are talking about Gen Z. National news outlets, market researchers, government bodies, even Christian media are bringing up the next generation. Depending on your source, you may find encouraging sentiments alongside information and opinions that are highly critical. One thing is certain: it’s time to start paying attention.

I've been a youth pastor for 24 years. God has given me a deep love for the next generation. I love their energy, their curiosity, their sense of fun, how freely they love others, their willingness to show up and help, their openness to the gospel and discipleship, and—my personal favorite—their potential. But far too many assumptions have been made about Gen Z. These assumptions can lead to aversion, apathy and anger—reactions the Church, specifically the EFCA, can ill afford as we look to the future.

What opportunities will we miss if we don’t work to understand, support and invest in the next generation?

As Tim Elmore highlights in The Future Begins with Z, older generations often need an interpreter to better understand younger generations—and the reverse is equally true. So, allow me to serve as an interpreter to better understand Gen Z and their importance to the future of our movement.

Interpreting isn’t easy. I’ve had to learn a whole new language. Getting to know Gen Z took time, relationship, deep love, intentionality and listening to develop. At this point, I believe I have lived long enough and logged enough hours studying and speaking the dizzying dialect of Gen Z (among other things) that I may finally be able to provide meaningful help.

The basics

Gen Z includes individuals born between 1997 and 2012. Generally speaking, here are a few of the most-cited observations about this generation: 

• Gen Z is widely considered the most ethnically and racially diverse generation in history. 
• Gen Z is often described as one of the most depressed and anxious generations on record. 
• Gen Z is referred to as the first “digitally native” generation and, as such, is considered to be the most technologically savvy generation in history. 
• Gen Z is increasingly choosing not to attend college. 
• Gen Z is reported to be one of the least church-attending generations in American history. 

Interpretation: 

As we begin, I’ll make one thing very clear about Gen Z: I’m a fan. Too often, the narrative around Gen Z feels overwhelmingly negative or pessimistic. I’m not here to debate the accuracy of the commonly reported data; however, I do believe there is far more to Gen Z than can be gleaned from headlines alone. We don’t claim to fully understand the nuance of a news article simply by reading its title, and we shouldn’t do that with Gen Z, either. If we do, we risk missing the incredible things God is doing among them, despite the headlines. 

Taken together, these observations point to a generation that possesses some new—and, in my opinion, much-needed—superpowers that are already creating positive change in the world around us: 

• Gen Z is ethnically and racially diverse, and as a result, many carry a deep respect for different cultures and people, and the struggles they face. 
• Gen Z experiences depression and anxiety at increasing levels, which has cultivated a deep empathy and care for their peers and for personal struggle. 
• Gen Z is the first “digitally native” generation, having grown up with access to information on an unprecedented scale. As a result, they’re aware of what’s happening around them and bring opinions, dreams and ideas about how things could be better. 
• Gen Z is choosing college at lower rates, not because they lack a desire to learn or work hard, but because they recognize a broken system—and they’re resourceful enough to find other paths forward. 

Finally, it has been reported for many years that Gen Z is one of the least church‑attending generations in history. While that may have been true for a season, it appears the story is still being written. In fact, a new chapter is unfolding before our eyes—a chapter that many might boldly title, “Revival.” 

What is God doing among Gen Z?

By now you’ve likely heard about “revival” on college campuses across our country. Since September 2023, nearly 80,000 college students (many reports suggest this number is much higher) have attended events linked to revival. As a result of those events, roughly 9,000 or more students surrendered their lives to Jesus, and more than 1,200 students have been baptized. Most of these events have been student-led and have taken place at largely secular universities—all in the course of just 28 months. 

Here are some of those movements of God on college campuses from the past two-and-a-half years:

1. Asbury University (Feb 2023)
2. Auburn University (Sept. 2023)
3. Ohio State University (Aug. 2024)
4. West Virginia University (March 2025)
5. University of Kentucky (Early 2025)
6. Ohio State University (Feb. 2025)
7. University of Oklahoma (Sept. 2025)
8. University of South Florida (Sept. 2025)
9. University of Tennessee (Oct. 2025)
10. Grand Canyon University (Oct. 2025)
11. University of Cincinnati (Nov. 2025)
12. NC State University (Nov. 2025)
13. Clemson University (Nov. 2025)
14. University of Central Florida (Feb. 2026)
15. Southeastern University (Feb. 2026)

In light of these events, a possible question for local churches leaders might be, “Is any of this leading to Gen Z going to church?” Some of the headlines stated above would imply they’re not. However, it turns out that Gen Z is not just returning to church, they are playing a large part in “driving a resurgence in church attendance”: 

“New research from Barna Group...reveals a surprising shift: Millennials and Gen Z are driving a resurgence in church attendance. As reports emerge of spiritual interest, rising faith activity, and signs of revival—including Barna’s analysis of the recent rise in commitments to Jesus—churchgoing frequency is another improving trend among Millennials and Gen Z in the U.S. While overall church attendance trends have been flat in recent years, the return to church among the next generation stands out as a powerful sign of rising openness to faith...The headline: Millennials and Gen Z Christians are attending church more frequently than before—and much more often than older generations.”  

Interpretation: 

With all of this in view, it’s hard for me to contain my optimism—especially when I consider all I’ve seen as a youth pastor during the last few years and the stories I continue to hear from the front lines of youth and young adult ministry. Ongoing reports highlight a spiritually hungry generation and a powerful move of the Spirit of God among them. 

The question then becomes: how will we respond to the needs of a spiritually hungry generation? More specifically, how can EFCA churches begin to make space for Gen Z to take up the mantle of leadership? 

What does this mean for the Church—and the EFCA?

As I think about Gen Z and their future roles in the Church, I’m reminded of the mission of EFCA ReachStudents: “Maximizing leaders to reach and release the next generation with the gospel.”

I love this mission. Its words are near and dear to my heart and my own personal calling. That’s why I serve on the ReachStudents Council. It’s also why I raised support to join the APEX team, to “mobilize the next generation of gospel influencers.” Together, these EFCA ministries are working to reach, release, and mobilize Gen Z and beyond.

The reason we work so hard goes beyond personal calling or mission statements. At the core, it is because we believe—and, in many ways, are already seeing—God has something special in store for this generation.

I hope seeing a generation hungry for the gospel fills your heart with hope, anticipation and excitement. It’s wonderful news—especially considering the “the empty pulpit crisis” we’re currently facing in the Church.

What will the Church do for Gen Z?

A spiritually hungry generation is coming. We know God has equipped and called them to serve, but are we making space for them to lead?  

“Always invest in the inevitable…may I remind you—it is inevitable that Generation Z will one day rule our world. It’s to everyone’s advantage that we invest in them.” (Tim Elmore, The Future Begins with Z) 

EFCA leaders, I suggest we read Tim’s quote with a slight tweak: “It is inevitable that Generation Z will one day lead the EFCA.” For those of us who call the EFCA home, how can we share the responsibility of reaching and releasing the next generation with the gospel? 

I want to invite you—in your church and spheres of influence—to do whatever you can to make room and ready yourself to provide opportunities and training for Gen Z to join the mission of God with you. If we are going to reach, develop and release them, we must give real leadership roles to Gen Z leaders. What better place for them to get hands-on ministry experience than in your local church?

If I may, I'd also like to offer one more interpretive suggestion: we must be willing to go further—to do something that may push us outside our comfort zones—we need to listen to Gen Z. We cannot only impart wisdom; we must also be willing to receive it. On this point, Tim Elmore makes another powerful observation: 

“Those over forty‑five years old may have work experience that’s built up the past. Generation Z has personal, portable‑device experience that’s built on the future... what they bring to the table will require us to do more listening and more coaching.” 

The only question is: Are you up for it? 

If you need some motivation, look again at what the Holy Spirit is doing. This is going to be a wild and awesome adventure. It already is. It would be a tragedy for you or your church to miss out on it by sitting on the sidelines.