Gen Z church attendance explodes in Central Texas
Gen Z is now the dominant demographic attending church, outpacing Boomers and Gen X
WACO, Texas (KWTX) — Central Texas religious leaders are reporting a sharp increase in Gen Z and Gen Alpha attendance in recent years.
According to a report from CHRISTIANITY TODAY, a study revealed Gen Z is the largest demographic attending church.
“In the past 24 months, I’ve been on 18 college campuses and seen tens of thousands of college kids surrender their life to Jesus Christ,” Head Harris Creek pastor JP Pokluda said.
Highland Baptist Church in Waco, Texas is seeing the trend as well. They are a popular option among Baylor University students.
Highland’s Next Gen and College pastor, Drew Humprey, said their Gen Z and Gen Alpha attendance has doubled in the past two years.
“We’ve definitely seen a growth in terms of numerics but we’ve also seen a growth in the depth of what students are hungry to do,” Humphrey said. “It’s more than just the flash of church.”
Bayor Sophomore, Abby Christiansen, said her generation is looking for connection and community in the church.
“Having that consistency of something that you can lean on is really helpful,” Christiansen said. “And having those different communities where people can pray for you or you can pray for others, it gives you a sense of connection and consistency in a world that’s not consistent.”
Baylor Sophomore, Alex Grell, said she stuck with her faith after she became an adult because it provided her solace.
“There was a lot of unknowns starting college and moving away from home for the first time,” Grell said. “And being able to stick with my Catholic faith has helped me be more comfortable in transitioning to my college life.”
Pokluda believes Gen Z gravitated to the church to seek more out of their lives.
“They’ve tried vaping, sex and porn,” Pokluda said. “They’ve tried to escape through alcohol and they’ve said ‘That stuff has left us wanting. But this Jesus guy, it seems like there’s truth there. And when we follow it it leads to life, and life abundantly.’”
Highland Church said 2,000 of its members are either Gen Z or Gen Alpha.
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