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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Across the United States, many individuals are currently in the midst of Holy Week, a significant period in Christianity commemorating the final days of Jesus Christ’s earthly life.
This year, a notable increase in young adult participation in Holy Week activities and year-round church services has been observed.
A CBS News report from fall 2025 highlighted a growing trend of young adults, particularly Gen Z men, embracing the Christian faith.
Garrett Smith, who serves as the Young Adults Pastor at Cascade Hills Church in Columbus, Georgia, observes that many young adults feel unfulfilled by the pursuits promoted by contemporary culture.
“They’re weary of deception and empty promises,” Smith explains. “What they truly desire is authenticity and truth. Young adults are trying different paths and find the world’s offerings lacking.”
Father Kevin Braski of St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus, Georgia said this:
“They start chasing the world, and then what happens is they start chasing whatever it is — power, fame, money, pleasure — which aren’t inherently evil per se, but they chase them and then they get them and they realize this is not fulfilling.”
This is why Nico Jay Moyer, the City Minister for First Baptist Church In Columbus says churches creating space to meet young adults where they are is a reason for the growth.
”A lot of them are curious and if we’re not willing to have conversations in those areas that they’re curious about, we’re not gonna be able to connect with them.”
Moyer and Smith agree that young adults are simply trying to figure it out, especially with all the “noise” from social media heightening things like politics, disasters, and more.
“I think people are really understanding that there’s like a real evil out there, and if there’s real evil, then there must be good,” said Pastor Garrett Smith, Cascade Hills Church, Young Adults
Braski, Moyer and Smith believe the growth is nuanced. They say they’re seeing a mix of churchgoers and people who are looking to dive deeper into their faith.
Moyer says, “It’s not hard to get somebody to walk into a church. What’s often challenging is getting them to stay there and if we fail to build relationships, make connections, communicate with them the way they communicate, that gets really difficult.”
An article published by the New York Times found that the loneliest group of people entering the church is those aged 18 to 35.
“It boils down to do I feel love? Do I feel connected? Do I feel respected and do I feel heard?” Moyer said.
All ministers agree while no church is perfect, it’s important to be connected to a faith community.
“We’re a hospital for sinners, not a country club for saints,” Smith says. “Just get plugged in. Find somewhere that preaches the Bible faithfully, that gives you the gospel every week and just get plugged in.”
Braski says, “We’re broken, but God’s gonna say, “Hey, come home.”