At first glance, Gen Z might look like a mystery to church leaders. They’re digital natives who speak fluent meme, they feel deeply, question everything, and can sniff out inauthenticity from a mile away.
But if you slow down, listen and pay attention ... you’ll find a generation that’s spiritually hungry, justice-driven and open to Jesus in ways that might surprise you.
At Fishhook, we’ve been paying attention to the trends, listening to church leaders and talking directly with Gen Zers themselves. What we’re seeing is this: Gen Z is not walking away from faith. They’re walking away from hype, hustle and surface-level spirituality.
Here’s what we’re learning (and why it matters):
66% of all U.S. adults say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life - a 12% increase since 2021. This may be the clearest indication of meaningful spiritual renewal in the US. And young people are leading this shift. (Barna)
70% of Gen Z say they want to be part of something that makes a difference in the world. (Springtide Research)
54% of Gen Z strongly agree that in-person relationships are more valuable than digital ones. (Barna)
Translation? Gen Z is searching. They want presence, not perfection. They’re looking for depth.
And they’re not interested in a performance. They want a place to belong, ask hard questions and encounter the real Jesus.
To reach Gen Z, we don’t need to reinvent the gospel but we do need to rethink our methods. Some truths we’re standing on:
Gen Z doesn't want a curated version of faith. They want the raw, real Jesus. The one who flipped tables, wept over pain and walked with the marginalized.
This generation is tired of TikTok theology. They’re craving real teaching, real community and space to wrestle with big questions.
Gen Z doesn’t just want more youth programming. They want mentors. Relationships with people of all ages who listen, pour in and show up.
Online engagement isn’t a side hustle ... it’s a front door. Your content, your presence and your digital tone all shape spiritual perception.
We recently made a new Fishhook sticker featuring our bobblehead Jesus saying "Low-key crushing it." And honestly? We think Gen Z might be, too.
They’re showing up with curiosity, compassion and a desire for truth. The question is ... are we ready to meet them there?
This fall, we’re bringing these insights (and more) to the North Coast Leadership Conference in San Diego. I’ll be leading a breakout called "From Message to Movement: Communicating Jesus in the Gen Z Era." We’ll unpack the cultural shifts and practical tools your team can use to connect deeply with this generation.
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