The Church Is Calling: New Barna Poll Reveals Gen Z and Millennials Are Returning in Search of Real Community

A surprising new Barna poll has revealed that young adults are not abandoning the Church as many have assumed—they are returning to it. According to the study, 34 percent of Gen Z and Millennials are attending church more often than they did a year ago, while 45 percent say their attendance has remained unchanged. Among these young adults, Black and Hispanic believers are the most likely to report increased attendance at 41 percent and 36 percent, respectively. The top spiritual motivations drawing them back are prayer (45 percent) and a desire to worship Jesus with others (38 percent). But what may be most striking is the social dimension: 24 percent say they attend to build deeper relationships with other Christians, and another 24 percent come to learn from others who have walked through similar experiences. As Daniel Copeland, Barna’s vice president of research, put it, “There’s no single social reason for why this generation attends church, but the data show young adults want deep, high-quality relationships—a place to share what they’re going through and learn from others. The church is one of the few places for this kind of social connection.”

The findings also reveal distinct differences between young women and young men. Young women are more likely to attend for community that cultivates learning from others’ experiences and for deeper relationships with fellow Christians, while young men tend to seek a community where they can openly share their personal experiences. This hunger for authentic connection is beautifully illustrated in the recent film “Daniel and the Fiery Furnace,” which portrays how a community of like-faith believers can strengthen one’s faith in a hostile culture—much like Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Executive produced by legendary Christian artist Michael W. Smith and written and directed by Canadian brothers Daniel and Matthew Kooman, the film underscores the power of fellowship in preserving faith. Together, the Barna data and the film’s message point to a profound truth: in an increasingly disconnected world, the Church remains one of the few places where young adults can find genuine relationships, shared experiences, and a faith that holds steady. The next generation is not walking away—they are walking in, looking for a place to belong.

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