Signs of Revival Among Young People in America

The former president of the Baptist Church and current pastor of one of North Carolina’s largest congregations believes there are signs of a revival happening across America. Particularly encouraging is the growing interest among young people who seem to be searching for truth in today’s secular society.

JD Greear, who leads Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, is also the author of numerous books, including Everyday Innovation: How to Transcend Culture Wars and Change the World, set to release on October 7th.

Supporting Greear’s optimism, national data reveals a significant trend. According to a recent Barna report, church attendance among Gen Z has notably increased since 2022. This marks a historical shift; young adults are attending church more frequently than older generations. Interestingly, Millennials are also returning to church at higher rates than before, with a rising number of individuals from both generations stating that their commitment to Jesus remains vital in their lives.

The growing interest in spirituality has prompted Greear’s church to schedule two services at the Dean Dome at the University of North Carolina on September 21st.

This week, members of Greear’s church came together to pray for an event called “The Church of the Dome.”

“Repentance, fasting, and earnest prayer… it’s a response to the resurrection,” he expressed. “They were calling out to God on campus for awakening,” he mentioned in a discussion reported by Crosswalk.

Greear believes this renewed enthusiasm among young people calls for a deliberate approach from the church. He pondered, “They are returning to church, but what label do we give them? Will they simply become a voting block, or can they emerge as evangelical witnesses? Is it truly about the transformation that the gospel brings?”

He’s not against university students addressing cultural issues. In fact, he suggests that this renewed curiosity about Jesus is, in part, a reaction to what he describes as secular overreach.

He referenced Sheldon Vanauken, who was introduced to Christ by C.S. Lewis, saying, “When you turn to Christ, that’s a leap of faith. What isn’t being discussed is that the ground you’re standing on may be eroding, and Gen Z seems to grasp this reality. I think we are witnessing a reaction against the intellectual, moral, and spiritual vacuity of secular progressivism.”

Greear noted that the oppressive nature of the current ideological climate has long pushed students back. Yet, he underscores that American Christians have prayed for revival for many years.

“God is sending it,” he affirmed. “So, I direct most of my energy toward it. I want to be involved, believing that God is doing something significant.”

It’s an intriguing period for the church and its engagement with young people, leaving many to wonder how this revival will unfold.