United States (MNN) — The Barna Research Institute found that there is growing interest in Christianity among Gen Z Americans. According to their research, over 30 percent of young people think religious revival could come in the next year.
George Barna in the Christian Index says, “The [Charlie] Kirk assassination created a moment of spiritual openness. In the eight months surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death, weekly church attendance ticked up and the number of Gen Z adults who ‘never’ read the Bible declined. These are real, if modest, signs of movement.”
(Photo courtesy of Hutchcraft Ministries)
While the spiritual outlook of the next generation in America remains polarizing, Doug Hutchcraft with Hutchcraft Ministries is not surprised that Gen Z is interested in God. He identifies growing up during the aftermath of the 2008 housing crisis, the rise of the smartphone, and the COVID-19 pandemic as factors for their desire.
“If you look sociologically at Gen Z, there is lots of disappointment, lots of loneliness,” he says. “They have the highest rates of anxiety of any generation in some time. So it’s not surprising to hear they’re hungry for something spiritual.”
Entering the conversation is Christian Nationalism, a hotly debated ideology that says America is inherently Christian and the government should reflect that. Pew Research shows that 15 percent more people recognize the term than just two years ago.
Hutchcraft warns against confusing love of country with the message of the Gospel. “We can love Jesus and also love our country, but they aren’t the same thing,” he says.
“If nationalism means I have to belong to a political party if I want to come to the cross of Jesus, we’ve just added something to the beautiful simplicity of the gospel.”
Photo courtesy of Adrianna Geo on Unsplash
Hutchcraft uses the example of the Apostle Paul to show how to balance loving your country and loving God.
“There are several times where he’s proud of being a Roman citizen. Rome did some awful things, but there were times he says, ‘Hey, I’m a Roman citizen. I’m proud of this,’” Hutchcraft says.
“But we have to be careful to not suggest that somehow something political can satisfy the longing people have for the spiritual.”
Visit Hutchcraft.com for free resources on how to live out your faith and share the Gospel. Be praying that the next generation of Americans will help start a nationwide revival. Pray that Gen Z would lean on the Gospel, and that through their faith, they would change the country and the world.
Header photo courtesy of Andrew Ruiz on Unsplash.
