A new wave of millennial and Generation Z Christian influencers is filling a significant void in American religious life, amassing vast online audiences by tackling the tough questions often left unanswered in traditional Sunday sermons.
The Digital Pulpit: From Podcasts to Personal Connection
These content creators, hailing from myriad backgrounds, speak candidly to hundreds of thousands of followers about everything from anxiety and doubt to dating and modern culture. Megan Ashley, 35, host of the 'In Totality' podcast, describes her role as providing "Monday to Saturday help" to make young believers feel less alone in their spiritual walk.
Figures like Christian rapper Lecrae Moore argue these influencers are making a transformative truth accessible. "There’s something that’s happening existentially — supernaturally — that I can’t explain," he said. With or without formal theological training, they see themselves as churchgoers whose messages transcend denominational labels.
Many, like Arielle Reitsma, 36, and Angela Halili, 29, co-hosts of the 'Girls Gone Bible' podcast, share stories of personal hardship and emptiness before a spiritual transformation. Their podcast now garners over a million monthly listens, and they regularly draw live crowds to events.
Meeting a Generation's Spiritual Hunger
This trend arrives at a critical time. According to the Pew Research Center, only 41% of Americans aged 18-35 surveyed in 2023-24 said they believe in God with certainty, a sharp decline from 65% in 2007. Experts like Baylor University lecturer Zachary Sheldon note these algorithm-savvy influencers fit into a long tradition of Christian celebrities but can harness audiences more nimbly than established institutions.
"Exposing people to the faith and challenging them to ask questions and search for something more are really good things to do," Sheldon stated. However, he warned of "potential dangers in granting them too much authority on the basis of their celebrity."
The influencers actively encourage church attendance and often reach those disconnected from organised religion. At a live event in Atlanta, Reitsma and Halili, Bibles in hand, warned hundreds of fans against idolising work or relationships, sharing their own past struggles with addiction and mental health.
Navigating Challenges and Controversy
Despite their popularity, these digital evangelists acknowledge the challenges of online faith. Jackie Hill Perry, 36, a speaker and author who co-hosts 'With the Perrys', worries that a hyperfocus on online drama or esoteric beliefs can miss foundational principles like love and Christ's sacrifice.
The deep political and cultural rifts within Christianity also play out online. Halili and Reitsma faced criticism for praying at a pre-inauguration rally for Donald Trump, while the Perrys have been criticised by conservatives for discussing racial injustice and by liberals for opposing same-sex marriage.
For followers like Olivia Singleton, 24, these influencers provide a vital, relatable alternative to more traditional church figures. "I really needed someone who was a younger Black female portraying something that wasn’t super traditional," she said, describing the hosts as being like "one of the girls … walking out the faith with you."
Through podcasts, social media, and street evangelism—like that practised by Bryce Crawford, 22, who engages people at Pride parades and festivals—this digital ministry is attempting to meet a generation where it is: online, questioning, and searching for meaning.
