Increase in Church Attendance Among Young Adults
Church attendance is on the rise this year among young American adults, particularly those who haven’t participated in services for a long time.
JP De Gance, the founder and president of Communio, notes that there has been a noticeable uptick in church attendance recently, especially in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“Many churches in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Colorado have reported an increase in attendance over the last two Sundays,” De Gance mentioned. He also highlighted a Michigan church where former young attendees returned after years of absence.
Communio serves approximately 400 churches across the U.S., aiding in their evangelism and outreach efforts. De Gance observed that Kirk’s death has prompted young people to reflect on the transient nature of life.
“I believe this brings about some introspection,” he said. “It leads people to question, ‘What am I living for?’”
Interestingly, church attendance had already been rising before Kirk’s assassination.
A recent study by Barna Group and Gloo revealed that Millennials and Gen Z are attending church at rates significantly higher than in 2020. Both demographics are participating twice as often now, according to the report.
David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, remarked, “The structure and dynamics of church life are evolving. Today’s youth are exhibiting a newfound openness to faith, and many are rediscovering their place within church communities. This moment in time encourages them to delve deeper into their beliefs.”
On another note, the American Bible Society’s upcoming 2025 report indicates that Gen Z engages with the church much less than older generations. For instance, only 35% of adult Gen Z strongly agreed that they had opportunities to learn and grow in their faith over the past year.
In contrast, a higher percentage of older groups—including 46% of Millennials, Baby Boomers, and older generations, as well as 48% of Gen X—reported the same sense of opportunity for spiritual growth.
