Gen Z has become known as a lost generation—with many young people falling away from faith or never even hearing the Gospel message.
Ranging in age from 12 to 27, they seek purpose and truth on YouTube and social media—but all too often trusting peers and influencers without verifying facts.
On Thursday, more than 100 pastors, leaders, and parents gathered at the Billy Graham Library to get equipped to share God’s hope with this searching generation.
The day-long event featured apologist Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, former pastor and youth leader Greg Stier, and teaching pastor Clayton King. Canadian Christian artist Brooke Nicholls led attendees in powerful worship.
Here are three practical takeaways from “Strategies for Reaching Gen Z,” to help you connect with your youth group, child, or grandchild as you share the truth of God’s Word:
1. Listen & Empathize
Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing challenged the crowd to get to know them personally. “Listen to them,” she said, “to help you understand why [they] think and feel the way they do.
“They have a sense of rage about the injustice in the world,” she continued. “They’re angry about racism, … the treatment of women, and more. Hear the cry of a generation in rage and lead them to Jesus; don’t fight or get angry with them.”
Human beings are created in God’s image, and Orr-Ewing suggested using this point to help young people see how their desire for justice is a reflection of God’s holiness.
2. Invite Them to Make Christ Their Cause
Evangelist Clayton King recounted some advice Billy Graham gave him when he was just getting started in ministry: “The most important part of every sermon you preach is to give an invitation.”
When asking young people—or anyone to follow Christ—King said, “Be Biblical, be clear, be concise, be Christ-centered.
“Challenge Christ followers to do something active with their faith—they’ve got energy,” he continued. “They just need someone like us to lead them in the right direction and show them how to put that energy to work for a cause.”
3. Do What Jesus Did
Greg Stier, who has been ministering to youth for 30 years, encouraged the leaders and parents to take “the Jesus Approach.”
By looking at Christ’s model of ministry, Stier gave practical keys to reaching this generation: look with compassion, communicate using the power of God’s Word, and pray for open eyes and hearts.
“Do not underestimate the power of prayer,” Stier said. “Get [Christian] students to do the same thing—they start praying for the lost, they start seeing the lost.”
In Their Own Words
As the day of training came to a close, participants processed what they had learned and shared what God had done—and was doing—in their hearts:
“I came to help understand my son better, to have a conversation with him. We can talk about things he’s interested in and that might open the door to share truth. It’s tricky sometimes not being able to talk about certain subjects, but I want to make sure that I have that relationship.”
—Angela*
“As a pastor, I came to hear a reminder about the importance of using an invitation during my sermons. That was a powerful reminder to me. Many times it’s just an afterthought. It’s something we need to be very intentional about in ministry.” —Ben Whitmire, pastor
>>Pray for those young people you know in this generation and ask God to give them a deep desire to know Him. Ask the Lord to equip these leaders and so many others to reach Gen Z with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
*Name changed to protect identity.
