SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A national study shows Generation Z and Millennials are attending church more than older generations, and leaders at a Syracuse church said they’re seeing that shift firsthand.
According to a study from the Barna Group, church attendance among Gen Z and Millennials has nearly doubled over the past five years. However, not all national research shows the same trend.
Data from Pew Research Center, a non-partisan organization that studies religious and social trends, found no clear evidence of a nationwide religious resurgence among young adults.
Yet members of the Radiant Church in Syracuse said the increase in young churchgoers is clearly reflected in their own congregation.
“Even just last semester, the growth that we saw at Salt Company was insane,” said Chidera Olalere, a churchgoer involved with the ministry.
Attendance has jumped from about 20 students in 2022 to nearly 150 students every week, according to Radiant Church.
The Salt Company is a college ministry at Radiant Church that meets on Thursday nights, combining social events, music and discussions about faith.
“This is a community, a space to come and gather with people their age and learn about Jesus and talk to different things of life,” said Conell Christiansen, director of Salt Company.
Christiansen said the growth of Salt Company has carried over into regular Sunday services as well.
“I would say the average age, if you were to walk in here on a Sunday morning at Radiant Church would probably be in the mid 20 range,” he said.
Olalere, who was born and raised in Nigeria, said she’s noticed a similar pattern in her home country. She said curiosity is a driving factor behind the increase.
“I think people are more open to things they maybe wouldn’t have considered before. I think fortunately, church happens to be one of those things,” Olalere said.
Barna Group researchers said younger adults are showing spiritual curiosity and a desire for belonging.
She added that younger attendees benefit from worshipping alongside older generations, creating opportunities for mentorship and connection.
“It’s amazing to have people that have been doing it for so much longer than you that can teach you and take you under their wing,” Olalere said. “It’s invaluable to have older people in the church and it’s exciting that they feel the same way about having younger people in there too.”
Christiansen said seeing younger generations engage in church life has also been encouraging for older members at Radiant.
“Even for the generations that sit in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, because they’re seeing the next generation come to church and worship, which is something that I think just stirs within the older generation, a hope for the future,” Christiansen said.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:
NCC News reporter Leah Masi: Younger faces are becoming a more common sight in churches nationwide. In fact, the frequency of churchgoing for millennials and gen Z nearly doubled in the last five years. That’s according to a national study by the Barna Group. But is that trend showing up in Central New York too? Churchgoer Chidera Olalere says, yes.
Chidera Olalere: I would say even just last semester, the growth that we saw at Salt Company was insane.
Masi: Salt Company is a college ministry at Radiant Church that meets on Thursday nights, combining social event, music…
Natural sound: Band singing “Hallelujah.”
Masi: And discussions about faith.
The Salt Compnay Director, Conell Christiansen: This is a community, a space to come and gather with people their age and learn about Jesus and talk to different things of life.
Masi: Christiansen says programs like Salt are helping attract younger generations to services on Sunday’s as well.
Christiansen: I would say the average age, if you were to walk in here on a Sunday morning at Radiant Church would probably be in the mid 20 range.
Masi: Olalere was born and raised in Nigeria, and says younger generations are attending church back home too, something she believes is driven largely by curiosity.
Masi: Olalere says many young people are reevaluating the ways they’ve been taught to cope with life’s challenges.
Olalere: I think people are more open to things they maybe wouldn’t have considered before. I think fortunately, church happens to be one of those things
Masi: From nation data to local experience, church leaders say they’re seeing a noticable increase in younger attendance. In Syracuse, Leah Masi, NCC News.
Worship leader Axel Peña said the rise in church reflects a broader reevaluation of how people cope with life challenges.
“The world tells us you have to do certain things to feel good or be seen a certain way,” Peña said. “But as our generation goes into those things, we’re finding that it leaves us empty.”
© Leah Masi, 2026.