The next generation is experiencing something extraordinary. After 24 years of serving young people in ministry, I can honestly say I’ve never witnessed anything like what’s happening right now. God is stirring hearts, calling out leaders, and transforming lives in ways that are both surprising and deeply moving.

Looking Beyond the Surface

When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem to anoint Israel’s next king, he made a common mistake. Looking at Jesse’s eldest son Eliab, Samuel thought he’d found God’s chosen one. After all, Eliab looked the part—tall, strong, kingly. But God had different plans and different standards.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at,” God reminded Samuel. “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

This truth transforms how we should view today’s young generation. It’s easy to focus on the external challenges they face—their relationship with technology, mental health struggles, broken family structures, and social upheaval. We might be tempted to write them off, thinking we’ve somehow failed them and should wait for another generation to emerge.

But God sees their hearts. And what I’m witnessing is a generation running to Jesus with everything they have—all their struggles, all their questions, all their passion.

A Generation Hungry for God

The stories emerging from youth camps, colleges, and local churches are remarkable. Thousands of students gathering for worship. Hundreds choosing baptism. Young people leading prayer over entire stadiums during moments of crisis and loss.

Recently, at a middle school camp, I watched as students lined up to share testimonies of what God was doing in their lives. So many wanted to speak that we couldn’t keep up with them all. These weren’t rehearsed speeches—they were authentic encounters with the living God.

One eighth-grade boy stood up and declared, “God has called me to be a pastor.” Another shared how he felt God’s presence so powerfully during worship that he came home reading his Bible and praying daily. When asked about maintaining his faith back at school, his response was profound: “I can’t do this without God. I have to pray. The temptations will get me if I don’t pray.”

These are middle school students—barely teenagers—demonstrating spiritual maturity that challenges many adults.

The Overlooked Generation

In the story of David’s anointing, there’s a detail that breaks my heart. When Samuel arrived to consecrate Jesse’s family, David wasn’t even invited to the ceremony. He was out tending sheep while his older brothers lined up for consideration. The moment was about him, but he wasn’t there.

How often do we do this with young people today? We plan events, make decisions, and set directions without including their voices. We overlook them, assuming they’re not ready or not interested. But like David, God may be preparing them for purposes we can’t yet imagine.

Samuel’s response offers a powerful example: “Send for him. We will not sit down until he arrives.” There was urgency in his words—a recognition that this was a moment requiring immediate attention.

This is my cry to the church today. This is a moment with the next generation, and we need to stand up and pay attention to it.

Real Stories of Transformation

Let me share some specific examples of what God is doing right now.

Seven-year-old Lacy radiates life and curiosity about Jesus. But she’s not content to keep her faith to herself. She serves in the three-year-old room at church, seeing herself as a leader who can pass God’s love to even younger children. When asked about potentially missing her service commitment for a baptism class, her immediate concern was for “her” three-year-olds.

At summer camp, a middle school girl who appeared distracted and hyperactive initially frustrated me. But by the end of camp, she testified that God was calling her to work with kids “who feel like they’re too much.” God was using her exact personality and experiences to reach others who needed to know they were valued and loved.

Maya, an 18-year-old graduate, exemplifies this generation’s authentic faith. During a mission trip to Northern Ireland, she faced physical limitations that prevented her from reaching a mountain summit. Instead of becoming bitter, she encountered God’s presence in a profound way, learning that “you do not have to be at the top of this huge mountain to be with me.”

Her practical faith is evident in how she handles everyday stress. When feeling overwhelmed, she finds quiet moments—even in grocery stores—to pray and receive God’s peace. This is spiritual maturity in action.

What This Generation Needs

Maya’s insight into what her generation needs from the church is particularly valuable. They need encouragement to be different. When pursuing a relationship with Jesus, standing out becomes inevitable. But many young people feel pressure to conform, to fit into expected molds.

The church’s role is to celebrate their uniqueness, to encourage their authentic walk with God, and to remind them that living differently for Jesus leads somewhere incredible. It’s worth the challenge.

The Church’s Response

For those wondering how to engage with this movement, consider these practical steps:

Pay attention to what God is already doing. Look for the Davids in your community—the young people who might be overlooked but have hearts hungry for God.

Create space for young voices. Include them in conversations, planning, and leadership opportunities. Their perspective is valuable, and their passion is contagious.

Encourage authenticity over conformity. Support young people in being themselves while following Jesus, rather than pressuring them to fit predetermined expectations.

Provide opportunities for growth. Whether through camps, mission trips, service opportunities, or mentorship, give young people chances to step out in faith.

Pray specifically for this generation. They face unique challenges but also unique opportunities. They need our intercession and support.

A Moment We Cannot Miss

The president of a major youth organization recently told me, “If you think revival in Gen Z is impressive, Gen Alpha will blow them out of the water.” The children born around 2010—the iPad generation—are showing even more promising signs of spiritual hunger and openness.

This isn’t a time for skepticism or waiting. It’s a time for engagement, for leaning in, for asking God what role we each have in this movement.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, aunt, uncle, or simply someone who cares about the future, this is your invitation to participate in something historic. God is pouring out His Spirit on young people in remarkable ways, and He’s looking for faithful adults to partner with Him in this work.

The horn of oil is being poured out over this generation. Like David, they may not fully understand what God is calling them to yet. They’ll make mistakes along the way—that’s part of growing up. But God sees their hearts, and He’s choosing to use them for His purposes.

Will we have the wisdom to recognize what He’s doing and the courage to join Him in it?

We always welcome new friends to worship with us. Find a location that’s close to you!
You can learn more about our beliefs and visit our video library to explore more topics like this one. You can also check out our events page to find out what fun new things we’re doing this season.