My wife and I were blessed with three children—two Millennials (now grown men) and one Gen Zer (our teenage daughter.) As all parents are aware, there’s a big difference between raising boys and girls, but what came as a surprise for me is the large societal divide between these two generations that are so close in age.
Gen Z is made up of young people between 13–24 years old, and it’s clear that what’s most important to them—like relationships, work, and spiritual growth—is shaping the unique culture of their generation.
A recent study by Barna paints a challenging picture for parents and church leaders. Regular church attendance among Gen Z has dropped from 22% in 2020 to just 16% in 2024. At the same time, the percentage not attending church at all has risen from 28% to 37%.
It’s clear that the strategies we used to engage the youth of previous generations with the gospel isn’t working with Gen Z.
Fortunately, Barna’s research gives us some good news and ideas on how we can reach, engage, and connect with this upcoming generation of young adults. Let’s take a look at five unique strategies parents and youth leaders can use to meet Gen Z where they are—both online and in person—and to help build a faith that’s real, relevant, and deeply relational.
5 Strategies to Unlock the Hearts of Gen Z
- Understand Gen Z’s Need for Connection
While Gen Z was born into a fully digital world, 54% of them say that face-to-face relationships are more meaningful to them than digital ones. For young people today, relationships are foundational to their sense of belonging and purpose.
Even though they’re comfortable online, they long for genuine, face-to-face connection. The Apostle Paul instructed us to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thess 5:11). This verse reflects the powerful impact of consistent and intentional connections. But how can we do this in our online-first world today?
By intentionally setting aside time for personal check-ins, whether in person, via texting, or over a call, we can create safe spaces for Gen Z to share and feel heard. Digital engagement—such as a simple text message or quick check-in—can keep connections alive between those face-to-face moments, gently reminding them that they’re supported by their faith community. This is all a part of encouraging Gen Z to build their faith within supportive relationships. - Create Safe Spaces for Honest Dialogue
Like every generation before them, young people today value learning about what is good and true. Social media platforms bombard them with messages, videos, and influencers that try to convince them of what they should believe. As a result, Gen Zers crave environments where they can openly discuss faith, identity, and purpose without feeling judged.
This doesn’t mean that we have to go around walking on egg shells or avoid speaking the truth. Young people can spot artificial kindness from a mile away, and they’re not afraid of conversations about complex topics.
The key is to listen without immediately offering solutions or critiques. By being quick to listen and slow to speak, parents and leaders show Gen Z that their questions are welcome (this reminds me of the passage in James 1:19, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”).
Sharing your own journey with transparency and authenticity can help them feel safe to open up about their struggles and victories alike. It’s in these moments of honest conversations that God’s love and guidance can reach their hearts in ways that no lecture or lesson ever could. - Use Digital Tools as a Bridge, Not a Destination
Technology offers a powerful way to engage people in faith throughout the week, but it works best for Gen Z as a bridge to real-world relationships. We can do this by suggesting daily devotionals or prayer reminders through apps or social media, allowing these moments to naturally lead into deeper in-person discussions on weekends or in youth groups.
Digital tools offer consistency, while face-to-face connections reinforce that faith is a lived experience, not just an online one. This aligns with what scripture has been telling people for over 2,000 years, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:25).
Using digital as a bridge supports regular engagement with faith content and other people, keeping community at the heart of it all. - Empower Gen Z for Purpose-Driven Faith
This generation wants to see their faith in action. In fact, 70% of Christian Gen Zers prioritize making a real difference in their own lives and their communities.
This means that we have to offer them practical ways to live out their beliefs—whether through community service, simple acts of kindness, or even setting personal faith goals. Sharing weekly challenges, like helping a neighbor or volunteering locally, gives Gen Z a way to put their faith into practice.
When they witness the impact of their actions, their relationship with God and their community deepens. - Build Deep, Lasting Roots
Helping Gen Z develop faith that’s resilient to the winds and waves of the world means guiding them to find personal meaning in their beliefs. Rather than viewing faith as simply a Sunday activity, encourage them to see it as a central part to their identity and purpose.
Parents and leaders can model this by sharing stories of how faith has influenced their everyday decisions, and by creating opportunities for them to serve in both church and community settings. When they experience the real-life benefits of faith, they’re more likely to stay rooted in it for the long haul.
Developing strong faith roots will help Gen Z to weather life’s challenges, made strong by the steady presence of God in their lives.
Let’s Share the Good News to All Generations
By meeting Gen Z where they are—balancing digital connection with real-world engagement, creating open spaces for questions, and encouraging purposeful faith—we can help this generation find their own path to a deep, lasting faith.
The team I work with at Subsplash partners with over 20,000 ministries to reach billions of people worldwide—across all generations—with tools that help strengthen discipleship, bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds to inspire real connection.
Discover for yourself how Subsplash can support your ministry in connecting with Gen Z and nurturing a lifelong faith.
