For the last 50 years or so, church attendance in America has been on the decline. Opinions as to the reason are as numerous as there are people to ask. While attendance was declining, the sexual revolution took place, incidents of divorce increased, the family social unit began to suffer, then mental health declined while addiction/alcoholismand incidents of abuse increased. With that being said, this past Easter week some hopeful news was reported. What in the world?
Several reports have been released indicating aremarkable increase in church attendance and an increase in Christianity. There is a 12-percent increase in attendance in the U.S. in the last four years. Barna researchers say this “may be the clearest indication of meaningful spiritual renewal in the United States.” In a similar report, data from the Bible Society in the United Kingdom states that two million more people in Great Britain attended church in 2024 than in 2018.
What is truly remarkable is the surge of church attendance and spiritual renewal among young adults (Gen Z’ers, ages 18-24), particularly among young men. Why is this happening? I’m not sure, but church attendance does give people hope over any pessimism they may be feelingabout the world. There have been similar reports of spiritual revival among many U.S. colleges in the past few years, as well as revivals taking place around the world.Gen-Z’ers have even been dubbed the “spiritual generation” after research found they are far more likely to describe themselves as spiritual.
The shift in spiritual revival is attributed to several factors, including a change in the perception of Christianity itself, a search for belonging, and the potential benefits for mental well-being. Young Christians cite a sense of community, personal connection with God, and hope as key aspects of their faith. The report also notes higher life satisfaction and lower stress levels among churchgoers compared to non-churchgoers.
What has been described as a global “mental health crisis”among young people is perhaps one potential explanation for faith’s renewed appeal in 2025. Between 2010 and 2015, suicide rates among 10- to 14-year-old girls and boys increased by 167 and 92 per cent, respectively. Self-harm rates for teenage girls in the UK soared by 78 per cent; and anxiety diagnoses for those aged 18 to 25 jumped by 92 per cent. These statistics go hand in hand with the increase in social media and smartphone use.
By contrast, a report entitled “The Quiet Revival” found that Christians reported higher life satisfaction than non-churchgoers, with a greater connection to their community and less stress and anxiety. Interestingly, a major piece of research on teenage wellbeing conducted by scientists at Oxford University last year found that just three elements strongly correlated with better adolescent mental health: getting enough sleep, regular exercise and attending religious services.
It has been said we all have a God-shaped vacuum within us that only God can fill. Humans have a natural thirst for a connection with our Creator. In an unstable world where uncertainty reigns, perhaps the biggest gift that religion can provide young people (and all of us) is a pathway through the chaos, a light in the dark, hope in the midst ofturmoil.
We all have varying amounts of goodness in our spiritual gas tank. Some people have half a tank, some people have a quarter of a tank, and some are bone-dry. None of us have enough, but God offers His love and forgiveness to everyone who asks. It does not matter what you have done–God is able and willing to forgive you and to welcome you into Heaven if you are willing to ask. Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
So I leave you with this … instead of asking “what in the world?” is going on, perhaps the better statement would be, “thanks be to heaven” for a God that loves us and draws us ever closer to Him!
Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Debby can be contacted at caryjohnefurdministries@gmail.com. Visit her at the Second Mile blog at https://debbyefurd.com.
Tagged: church, forgiveness, hope, mental health, revival
