The first line of the song For What It’s Worth, by Buffalo Springfield—the rallying cry of the Baby Boom generation against the Vietnam War and the traditional mores of their fathers’ generation.

They spoke out. They marched. They brought about a cultural revolution. The results? Some good, some bad. But the country was definitely transformed.

The song’s words seem prophetic here in 2025. There’s definitely “somethin’ happenin’ here, and what it is ain’t exactly clear.” But there are some good indications.

Like the Boomers, a new generation (18-25)—the Gen Zers—along with some Millennials—are also thirsting for deep, meaningful change in their lives. But there’s is not a protest movement, per se.

This is a movement in search of spiritual meaning and renewal.

Make no mistake…these Americans are turning away in droves from the agnosticism and atheism that many of their parents embraced. Gen Z has kickstarted a movement packed with the same transformational possibilities that marked past awakenings in America. But this one’s different.

Something is happening here. To the batch of new kids coming up. To the nation. Maybe to the world. And according to the Barna Group’s new research initiative (2025), Jesus is at the center of it all.

According to Barna, 77 percent of U.S. teens say they’re motivated to keep learning about Jesus throughout their lives, a striking sign of spiritual curiosity in a generation often labeled secular. From the worship that swept Asbury University to the billions of views under hashtags like #JesusTok, the movement taking shape in America is unmistakably Christ-centered.

It’s not about denominations or dogma; it’s about a personal discovery of who Jesus is and what following Him means in a fractured, post-pandemic world. In a time when institutions falter and politics divide, the name of Jesus is quietly becoming the gathering point of a new spiritual awakening.

American Spiritual Awakenings

1st Awakening (1730s)
Main driver: Colonial stagnation Core message: Personal repentance Expression: Preaching, hymnody Impact: Religious independence

2nd Awakening (1790s–1830s)
Main driver: Frontier expansion Core message: Moral reform Expression:Camp meetings Impact: Abolition, education

3rd Awakening (1850s–1900s)
Main driver: Industrialization Core message: Social gospel Expression:Urban missions
Impact: Humanitarianism

4th Awakening (1960s–70s)
Main driver: Cultural revolution Core message: Relationship with Jesus Expression: Youth, music Impact: Evangelical resurgence

Current (2020s– )
Main driver: Disconnection, meaning crisis Core message: Authentic faith, unity Expression: Online & local revival Impact: TBD — Possible Fifth Awakening

Even among non-Christian teens, about 60% express curiosity about who Jesus is. Globally, 74% of all teens (26 countries surveyed) say they want to learn more about Jesus. (Source: Barna & Alpha, The Open Generation, 2023)

Movements like the Asbury University revival (2023), Baptize California, and the “Jesus Revolution” resurgence in media and music are explicitly Christ-centered. These events revolve around worship, confession, prayer, and direct appeals to Jesus, rather than denominational or political identity.

Online, hashtags such as #JesusTok, #JesusMovement, and #FaithInJesus collectively attract billions of views, dwarfing equivalent content for generic “spirituality.” Jesus is the unifying symbol and subject of this current awakening.

Unlike earlier awakenings that emphasized morality (2nd), social reform (3rd), or institutional renewal (4th), the present revival is about a person rather than a cause. It’s about relationship—encountering a person (Jesus)—not about fixing society or defending doctrine.

The tone is worshipful, emotional, and often spontaneous—reflecting Gen Z’s desire for authenticity and direct experience. Many are exploring Jesus through curiosity rather than established faith.

What are the cultural implications of Barna’s findings?

The numbers suggest not a decline in faith but a redefinition of it. Spirituality for GenZers is less institutional and more relational—driven by authenticity, curiosity, and personal encounter rather than denominational loyalty. In a culture weary of division and disillusionment, Jesus has reemerged as a symbol of truth, compassion, and meaning.

The movement isn’t about rebuilding religion’s scaffolding; it’s about rediscovering the person at its center.

If this movement continues to grow, the ripple effects may reach far beyond the church. A renewed focus on the person and teachings of Jesus can reshape America’s moral imagination.

Just think…more empathy, humility, and neighborliness in the center of our shared life.