The number of people identifying as Christian in the United States has declined in recent years. What was once a nation known for embracing Judeo-Christian values has turned into one that rejects Christ’s teachings, and its culture has espoused secular ideals contrary to them. But a recent study shows this downward trend is finally coming to a halt.
A study published earlier this year from Barna asserts that “66 percent of all U.S. adults say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life today,” up from just 54% in 2021. The study found a notable increase among younger generations, specifically Generation Z and millennials. Barna reported that between 2019 and 2025, there was a 15% increase in Gen Z men who have committed to Jesus, a 19% increase among millennial men, a 7% increase for Gen Z women, and a 6% increase millennial women.
An embrace of Christianity leads to a rejection of anti-Christian pursuits, such as pornography, the over-sexualization of Hollywood and media, and hook-up culture, that are pervasive in mainstream culture. Rather than leaving people with the lasting happiness and fulfillment that it promises, the consumption of pornography has been linked to “outcomes like depression, anxiety, loneliness, lower life satisfaction, and poorer self-esteem and overall mental health,” according to Fight the New Drug. More Americans are waking up to the realities of our culture’s empty promises and looking to Christ, the real source of happiness and fulfillment.
Look at the college campus, for example. What once was a space promoting drug use, excessive drinking, and hook-up culture is now becoming a place of Christian revival for young adults. On my college campus, Oakland University, we frequently have local pastors visit and share the gospel with students. We also have Christian clubs for every denomination, including chapters of major national organizations such as Young Life, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Campus Crusade for Christ, also known as CRU.
After an event at the University of Georgia last year hosted by Unite US, “a movement of college students united to lift the name of Jesus,” students were so moved that they decided to get baptized in the back of pickup trucks. In a Fox News interview, Unite US founder Tonya Prewett explained this was nothing out of the ordinary: “We have thousands of students showing up at these events and hundreds giving their lives to Jesus, hundreds getting baptized.”
Even outside of college campuses, baptisms have been rising. According to a recent report, “The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, for example, has reported a significant increase in adult baptisms. Baptisms of adults and older children hit an all-time high in 2024 at 2,075 — a jump of 38 percent over the 2016 record.” People, including me, are experiencing the love Jesus provides and dedicating their lives to him through baptism.
Growing up in a culturally Catholic household, I always looked to find the Lord. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I stumbled across the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This church brought me so much during my teen years. After continuing to study the Bible in depth and exploring different denominations, I dedicated my life to Jesus Christ last summer by getting baptized in a nondenominational church.
Additionally, there has been a rise in Christian content creators who have brought faith-based content to social media and podcasting. Creators such as Bryce Crawford and Girls Gone Bible are taking to social media, a breeding ground for secular ideals, to share the Gospel and help consumers like me grow deeper in their faith.
IS YOUNG MAGA ON THE RIGHT PATH?
Crawford in particular has helped me learn how to study the Bible through his podcast, where he reads scripture and teaches the context of the passages. He has also spoken at colleges, including his recent visit to Arizona State University, to share with students about Jesus.
Americans, specifically Gen Zers and millennials, are beginning to wake up to the falsehoods of secularism and embrace the countercultural movement of Christianity. While there’s still much progress to be made, it gives me hope to see more and more people experience the love Jesus provides, the same love that many of my friends, classmates, and I have also experienced.
Hailey Beyrand is a junior studying journalism and media studies at Oakland University and a student media fellow with the Network of Enlightened Women.