In 2025, I want to recommit to my spiritual practices to renew my heart for God and His ways and purposes. I aim to be zealous for the right things, filled with devotion and zeal. The Apostle Paul states, "Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord" (Romans 12:11). This sentiment can often seem out of place in our culture. However, I've been inspired by a noticeable shift within Generation Z (those born between 1999 and 2015). Last year, multiple events occurred where God moved in powerful ways.
During one event, a team of student reporters from The Lantern newspaper reported that an event led by members of the Ohio State football team drew 800 to 1,000 people, resulting in approximately 60 students choosing to be baptized into the Christian faith in four tubs of water near the stage.
Another example is when Pastors Michael and Bonnie Fehlauer of New Life Church shared, "Nearly 1,500 students gathered last night at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, with 62 water baptisms and powerful testimonies."
In the fourth major collegiate revival within a month, thousands of students gathered at the University of Arkansas to seek Jesus Christ and find salvation in His name. Unite US reports that 10,000 students from 67 universities convened in Bud Walton Arena.
We should neither exaggerate these incidents (Revival has come!) nor trivialize them (it's all emotionalism). True revival is characterized by a deep reverence for the Lord that leads to repentance, a desire to obey God's word, and heartfelt devotion to Him. What is compelling is that Gen Z's faith does not appear to be superficial. This generation, filled with anxiety, social media addictions, insecurities, and diminishing moral boundaries, needs an encounter with the living God who loves and transforms them.
Gen Z's struggles are reflected in their attraction to the Christian faith. Trevin Wax highlights several interests young people (particularly young men) have regarding faith:
1. Nominal Christianity Is a Turn-Off: Young people are hungry for a vibrant, immersive faith, not a diluted version of Christianity that makes few demands.
2. Stability Is Compelling: In a chaotic world, they seek stability.
3. Rigor and Discipline Are Attractive: They appreciate a faith that requires commitment and discipline.
4. Worship Must Be God-Centered, Not Entertainment-Driven: They desire a sense of God’s transcendence in worship.
As Trevin Wax notes, this generation wants to take their faith seriously, but not themselves, very seriously. How we can we also take our faith seriously and how do we reach this generation with the Gospel? It starts with responding to Jesus, who says, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent" (Revelation 3:19).
Let us seek the Lord for an authentic, vital faith that requires our wholehearted commitment.
