In a surprising shift, younger generations in America are embracing religion and spirituality at levels not seen in decades.

According to CBN, millennials and Gen Z are increasingly engaging with the Bible and attending church, prompting national discussion about whether the United States is witnessing a new spiritual revival.

This growing trend has captured the attention of faith leaders, politicians, and researchers, who are observing these generational patterns with both curiosity and optimism. At the center of the discussion is “The Revival Generation,” a new film that premiered at the Kennedy Center by CBN News, which highlights the cultural resurgence in religious interest among young people.

According to recent data from the American Bible Society, these changes in spiritual behavior are not just anecdotal but measurable. Bible engagement has risen sharply: Millennials showed a 29% increase in scripture use from 2024 to 2025, while Gen Z participation climbed from 11% to 15%. These trends suggest an emerging interest in grounding oneself in faith despite the rapid pace of the digital era.

Faith Leaders Recognize a Shift Among Youth

Ralph Reed of the Faith and Freedom Coalition believes this movement may be historically significant. He remarked that the scale of spiritual interest among today’s youth may rival the sweeping changes brought about by the Jesus movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Reed likened the current spiritual undercurrent to seismic activity, noting a major "shift in the tectonic plates" of society.

Dr. Ben Carson, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and a well-known neurosurgeon, has also spoken extensively about this surge in belief. Throughout his travels across the country, Carson has seen more young people seek meaning through faith. In his view, tumultuous societal conditions may be the catalyst for this revival, as they have been in American history before.

He referenced four earlier periods of American revival, many of which occurred during times of war or disease. “We've had four of them in the history of our country,” Carson said. “Usually around pestilence or war, we've got all kinds of things going on. It's time for one.”

College Campuses Emerge as Spiritual Hotspots

On college campuses and in local communities, faith gatherings are increasingly common. Students are organizing prayer meetings, Bible studies, and spiritual events that are attracting diverse attendees. Many of these events have been described as revivals, revitalizing both belief and community bonds.

This movement toward religion comes at a time when digital noise and overwhelming access to information are reshaping how younger generations think about truth. Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana suggests that the complexity of today's information landscape is pushing young people to seek out enduring values.

“There’s so much information at their fingertips,” Stutzman said. “But I think at the end of the day, every one of us as human beings, we want to know what truth is, because that creates stability in our lives.”

Documentary Aims to Chronicle Cultural Moment

CBN’s “The Revival Generation” explores these developments in-depth and aims to provide context for those unfamiliar with the roots of the movement. The film connects the present moment with past revivals and includes testimonies and insights from young believers and ministry leaders across the country.

The documentary serves to document what many feel is a sweeping cultural transformation. Its premiere generated meaningful dialogue among policymakers, church groups, and everyday viewers alike. Recognizing the momentum, religious institutions are also adjusting to accommodate new waves of congregation members who are younger and more diverse than in previous decades.

What distinguishes this revival from earlier movements is the method in which it spreads. Unlike past revivals driven by large-scale tent gatherings or single preachers, today's momentum builds largely through interpersonal relationships, student-led events, and digital platforms, creating decentralized yet resonant communities of faith.

Youth Seek Hope Amid Cultural Unrest

In several interviews, Dr. Carson expressed hope for the future based on what he has witnessed among young Americans. “I think many of them are saying, ‘we’ve experimented, we’ve seen where the other way leads, and it’s not a good place,’” Carson said. His observations line up with data showing faith-based programs and churches reporting higher participation from young adults than in previous years.

For some experts, this movement marks a turning point in a society increasingly characterized by division, skepticism, and secularism. While it’s uncertain whether this constitutes a formal revival, many believe the current spiritual attention reflects a meaningful cultural reset.

As Gen Z and Millennials seek stability in a chaotic world, religion appears to offer a framework for understanding and belonging that appeals deeply to them. The movement's sustainability, however, may depend on how well faith communities continue meeting young people where they are, both culturally and spiritually.