We’re Living in a Generational Moment

For years, reports across the country have argued that the United States is in a post-Christian era. ¹ Many stated that the American people had been there, done that, and were no longer interested in what the Gospel had to say. Church attendance had indeed dropped over the last three decades, ² with former Christians citing church hurt and other issues as their reasoning for walking away.

But something interesting has been happening in recent years: the children of ex-churchgoers went through a global pandemic, saw the coming tsunami of AI development, and began to ask some really big questions. Much to the surprise of many, rather than a post-Christian nation, we were handed a functionally pre-Christian generation instead.

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Post-Christian
A society or culture that was once heavily influenced by Christian beliefs but has since rejected or abandoned them.

Pre-Christian
A society or culture that has little to no understanding of Christian beliefs.

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Gen Z is the most digitally connected generation in history, and through their screens they encounter a constant stream of brokenness in the world around them. Each new day brings new headlines, and each headline gives them another reason to believe the world and its systems have failed them. And yet, despite the noise, they’re exhibiting an openness to faith.

Students Are Looking for Jesus

In April 2026, thousands of college students gathered in the basketball arena at Florida State University, which is known as one of the biggest party schools in the country. But this gathering wasn’t for a basketball game. It was for a night of worship.

Hundreds of young adults made first-time decisions to follow Christ at the event, and eighty-one students were baptized on the spot. ³ One student described what struck her most in a comment later shared by CBN News: “One thing I thought was beautiful…was the emphasis on finding a church home! They had tables outside with college groups from many local churches and asked everyone to fill out information to get connected!” She was looking for a place to belong, a real community. That is exactly what Woodside exists to offer: a church family where people can belong, grow, and be sent back out to help others do the same.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The evidence that Gen Z is turning to Jesus is no longer anecdotal. In 2025, Barna Research Group found that nearly 30 million more Americans are following Jesus now than just four years ago, a shift Barna calls “the clearest indication of meaningful spiritual renewal in the United States.” ⁴

A 2025 Gallup poll adds weight to that finding, reporting that the number of young men ages 18 to 29 who say religion is very important in their lives has surged from 28% in 2022 to 42% in 2024, nearing a historic high. ⁵ Among all of Gen Z, Barna found that 77% of teens in the United States are open to learning more about Jesus, and half of Gen Z say they would attend church if someone invited them. ⁶

Next Gen at Woodside

This spiritual openness is taking place right here at Woodside.

• In late 2025, students from 10 local high schools met at Rochester High School for a night of worship and praise.

• This past year, 122 students from Woodside’s student ministry were baptized, and 820 students met consistently in weekly small groups.

• Through Woodside’s kids ministry, an average of 1,384 children were discipled every weekend between 2025-26. Hundreds more kids and students attended FLIP Camp, student retreats, and Woodside’s Hope 365 Conference.

A Global Awakening

This phenomenon isn’t just happening in the United States. Lifeway Research reports that Christianity is growing at 0.98% year after year, outpacing annual global population growth by 0.10%. In Africa alone, the Church is growing at 2.59% per year. At the turn of the twentieth century, fewer than 10 million Christians lived in Africa. Today, that number exceeds 750 million, and by 2050 it is projected to surpass 1.2 billion. In England and Wales, church attendance among young adults has quadrupled in the last six years. In Asia, Christianity is growing at 1.6% annually. ⁷

Woodside has had a front-row seat to this worldwide movement through our global and missionary partners. This past year, our partners saw 672 churches planted and 66,803 people make professions of faith. In early 2026, 1,200 people from mostly Muslim backgrounds were baptized in Ethiopia. On the other side of the earth, where following Jesus can cost people their homes, careers, reputations, families, and their lives, thousands are still choosing Him.

This Is No Ordinary Moment

Right now, people everywhere are looking for Jesus, and the Church will be in danger of missing the moment if we don’t recognize that. If we’re convinced that our neighbors, acquaintances, coworkers, classmates, and the nations are closed off to Jesus, our window of opportunity will close before we’re able to help them see that everything they’re searching for is found in Christ.

Jesus is coming back. If the Gospel is true, only those who have put their faith in Him will be ready when He returns. As members of the Church, it’s our job to help those who are searching for answers see Jesus for who He is. It is never okay for us to say, “Look at all that we’ve accomplished. Let’s rest on our laurels. The job is done.” We must continue to tell everyone who will listen about our Savior until all have heard, until Christ returns.

SOURCES:

¹ De Chirico, Leonardo. “Post-Christianity Is an Opportunity for Real Christianity.” The Gospel Coalition, 2 Nov. 2023, www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/post-christianity.

² Jones, Jeffrey M. “U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority For First Time.” Gallup.com, 29 Mar. 2021, news.gallup.com/poll/341963/church-membership-falls-below-majority-first-time.aspx.

³ Michael Foust, “4,500 Students Gather at Florida State to Worship Jesus,” Crosswalk, April 2, 2026: crosswalk.com/headlines/contributors/michael-foust/4500-students-gather-at-florida-state-to-worship-jesus-this-is-what-hunger-looks-like.html

Florida Baptist Convention, “Revival and Unity: Faith Movement Ignites at Florida State University,” November 4, 2025: flbaptist.org/revival-and-unity-faith-movement-ignites-at-florida-state/

Trevin Wax, “Rumblings of Revival Among Gen Z?” The Gospel Coalition, February 29, 2024: thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/rumblings-revival-gen-z/

⁴ Barna Research, State of the Church 2025: stateofthechurch.com

⁵ Gallup Poll, “Faith Rebound: Signs of Spiritual Awakening Continue as Gen Z Turns to God,” April 2026: readlion.com/faith-rebound-signs-of-spiritual-awakening-continue-as-gen-z-turns-to-god-gallup-finds/

⁶ Barna Group, “New Research: Belief in Jesus Rises, Fueled by Younger Adults,” April 7, 2025: barna.com/research/belief-in-jesus-rises/

Barna Group, “Over Half of Gen Z Teens Feel Motivated to Learn More About Jesus,” February 1, 2023: barna.com/research/teens-and-jesus/

⁷ Lifeway Research, “9 Encouraging Trends for Global Christianity in 2025,” February 11, 2025: research.lifeway.com/2025/02/11/9-encouraging-trends-for-global-christianity-in-2025/

Center for the Study of Global Christianity, Status of Global Christianity 2025, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Michael Pfundner, “Christianity Is Back! Here’s the Data,” Premier Christianity, June 6, 2025: premierchristianity.com/opinion/christianity-is-back-heres-the-data/19549.article