“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12
The Barna Group just released a new and very encouraging study about Americans’ commitment to Jesus in the group’s State of the Church initiative. The research shows a “groundswell,” a tremendous rise in Americans’ personal commitment to Jesus over the last four years.
In 2021, Barna found that only 54% of Americans claimed to be committed to Jesus which was the lowest level ever recorded. Just four years later, 66% of all adults in the United States now claim a personal commitment to Jesus that “is still important in their life today.”
The 12 percentage-point increase in Americans’ commitment to Jesus, encouragingly, is largely coming from the younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials. Among Gen Z men there was a jump of 15 percentage points in their commitment to Jesus, and among Millennial men there was a jump of 19 percentage points in their commitment to Jesus.
David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna stated, “This is the clearest trend we’ve seen in more than a decade pointing to spiritual renewal—and it’s the first time Barna has recorded such spiritual interest being led by younger generations.” The study furthermore stated, “This shift is not only statistically significant—it may be the clearest indication of meaningful spiritual renewal in the United States.”
Let us take advantage of this season in America as believers in Christ, to tell of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The interest in Jesus and the commitment to Jesus that is on the rise should only compel us all the more to make Him known to all in the culture where we currently live.
LET US PRAY…
Father, we praise You for the spiritual renewal that is happening in America right now as there has been a rise in personal commitment to Christ. Lord, empower us to take advantage of this moment and fervently spread the Good News of the Gospel. Father, help Your Church to faithfully disciple those who profess commitment to the Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
