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“Jesus and Gen Z: Why a New Generation is Tired of Religion but Hungry for God” ….PT 2

John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The Great ‘Unchurching’—and the Quiet Revival

Studies from Barna and Pew Research show an increasing number of Gen Z identify as “nones”—having no religious affiliation. They distrust institutions, find church rules outdated, and are disillusioned by scandals and hypocrisy. But beneath the surface, there’s a quiet hunger – ‘a hunger for the truth, for God’.

Finding Christ, Finding the Truth

Across campuses and social platforms, young people are asking:              

  • “Who am I?”
  • “Why is life so hard?”
  • “Is there something more than this?”
  • “What does Jesus really say?”
  • “Who do I talk to?”
  • “What is truth?”

In 2023, the Asbury Revival—a spontaneous, student-led prayer movement—broke out in Kentucky, lasting over two weeks and drawing thousands. No lights, no famous preachers—just hungry hearts. That wasn’t an anomaly; it was a signal!.

Religion vs. Relationship: What Gen Z is Really Searching For

This generation doesn’t want performance. They want authenticity.
They don’t care for polished sermons—they long for raw truth.
They are not impressed by perfect people—they are drawn to grace-filled communities.

Gen Z is rejecting religion without power, but many are embracing Jesus without the noise. They are intrigued by a Christ who sat with sinners, spoke up for the oppressed, and called out injustice—not for popularity, but for truth.

They’re not asking, “What denomination are you?”
They’re asking, “Do you know Jesus—and does He still speak today?”

Digital Discipleship: Faith in the Age of the Algorithm

While digital distractions abound, so do opportunities (read again). TikTok has become an unlikely mission field. Some Gen Zers are encountering the gospel through 60-second testimonies, Bible study threads, and street preaching clips.

Apps like YouVersion report a surge in Bible reading among youth. Virtual Bible studies are springing up on Discord and Zoom. And while the local church ‘must’ still matter, digital discipleship is real—and God is using it.

But with this access comes some confusion. The same algorithm that shows truth also spreads lies – a lot of it. Gen Z is flooded with half-truths, self-help spirituality, and relativism. The result? A spiritual hunger with no compass. So what is the solution?

>>>  That’s where the gospel must step in  <<<

The Answer is Still “Jesus Christ”

Jesus & Gen Z: The Relationship they need
  • In a world screaming, “Be your truth,” Jesus gently invites:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life…” – John 14:6

  • In a culture drowning in identity crises, Jesus offers eternal identity:

“To all who believed Him… He gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12

  • To a generation overwhelmed by anxiety and depression, He whispers:

“Come to Me, all who are weary… and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

What the Church Must Learn (and Unlearn)

If the church wants to reach Gen Z, it must move:

  1. From performance to presence
  2. From hierarchy to humility
  3. From rules to relationship
  4. From noise to real encounters with Christ

Gen Z doesn’t need us to entertain them. They need us to walk with them—to model a gospel that is lived, not just preached.

Let’s not write off this generation. Let’s disciple them. Let’s show them the way and the truth that will guide them and lead them aright.

Do you have children, siblings, cousins, or relatives who belong to this group – Gen Z? Your job as a Christian is to disciple them. You may ask, how?

Read the gospel – Mathew, Mark, Luke & John – you will realize what you need to do….exactly how Christ guided His disciples with the “raw truth” that opened their eyes to the light of the Word…He never painted anything to make them happy or to stay with him; you either stay or leave when He speaks the truth, but He spoke the truth always.

The Gospel of truth is…for reproof, for doctrine and for correction (2 Tim. 3:16), this is how you disciple them. Tell them the truth in the word, reproof and correct them when they go wrong or do it wrong, then teach them the scriptures always, which becomes their doctrine. Never, ever “coat” the gospel just to make them happy or like you. One day, they will thank you for always telling them the truth or dislike you for never telling them the truth, whether you are a Pastor, their parent or guardian – the repercussion will come, good or bad.

Conclusion: There is Hope in the Hunger

Jesus is not done with this generation. And Gen Z is not done with Him. The Pt 1 of this topic will give you a baseline in this discussion to understand better.

Behind the screens, beyond the cynicism, beneath the rebellion—there is a longing for something real. And Jesus is still the realest thing this world has ever known.

Let’s meet Gen Z where they are. Not to water down truth, but to point to the Truth who still saves; who is the Truth – “Jesus Christ”.

“He has set eternity in their hearts…” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Let’s help them find Him – The truth!.

Do not forget to chek out the PT 1 of this discussion to help you get a baseline of this post, click here

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Hi! I’m Dr. Eno Iwok, a follower of Jesus Christ and the heart behind this blog. In a world full of noise, half-truths, and shifting values, I created this space to seek and share unshakable Truth—the kind found only in God’s Word. Here, we wrestle honestly, walk humbly, and stand boldly. Because even in the chaos, Truth still stands—and His name is Jesus Christ.

Welcome to The Truth: In a Confusing World!.
Let’s walk this narrow way together, anchored in Scripture, lit by grace!

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“Jesus and Gen Z: Why a New Generation is Tired of Religion but Hungry for God” – PT 1

John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Religion: The Norm

Although there are various definitions of the word “religion” across the globe, ranging from a religious approach to a multidimensional approach, the one that strikes me most is Émile Durkheim’s (1858-1917) definition. According to Émile Durkheim, religion is defined as “a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, i.e., things set apart and forbidden—beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them.” This definition is the closest of what is happening in the world today in the name of “religion”. Although religion sets apart and gives an identity to a group of persons having the same beliefs and practices, it has also caused a lot of divisions in the world, both from centuries ago and in the modern era.

The Generation That’s Done with Religion… Or Are They?

James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Jesus & Gen Z

Having said all that, we are led to the relationship between religion and the present generations (Generations Y, Z, and Alpha), but I will focus on Generation Z as a case study. A blend of Gen Z and religion is like mixing oil and water, and studies have shown that Gen Z—those born roughly between 1997 and 2012—are widely labelled as the most unreligious generation in history.

Scroll through TikTok or Instagram long enough, and you’ll see a curious blend: a viral video of a deconstructionist questioning the Bible, followed by a spontaneous worship session in a college dorm.  Gen Z, known as the least religious in history, are currently proving the ideology by their low presence in religious gatherings and questioning of traditional structures. But if you look closely, something deeper is happening; Gen Z may be walking away from religion—but they are not walking away from God, they are trying to find a way to God that is not bent on religion.

Reasons behind the shift from religion

There are various reasons behind the current religious shift among Gen Z:

Gen Z: Access to information & Technology

Access to information: Gen Z grew up with the internet at their fingertips. They can easily explore diverse worldviews, question traditional teachings, and form their own beliefs. This means they can search for anything and believe anything if not properly guided.

Skepticism of institutions: From political systems to religious organizations, Gen Z tends to be wary of authority—especially after witnessing scandals and hypocrisy within religious circles. This has made religion look like a joke to them, like there is no confidence or hope there.

Emphasis on inclusion: Many Gen Zs prioritize values like LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality, which can sometimes clash with traditional religious doctrines. This, on the other hand, is majorly based on influence in the systems and on the web, not God’s system.

Alternative communities: Unlike previous generations who found ‘belonging’ in churches, mosques, or other religious gatherings, Gen Z often builds community online or through shared interests and activism.

Spiritual independence: Rather than rejecting spirituality altogether, many prefer to craft their own belief systems—mixing mindfulness, astrology, or even pop culture references into a personalized spiritual identity. And this is a step away to spiritual blindness.

It’s not that Gen Z is anti-spiritual—they’re just redefining what belief looks like based on what they have seen and what they have come to know. The question now is, “who and what is guiding them?’.  

It has been proven that Gen Z can be highly influenced by their own generation. They prefer to learn from their generation rather than the previous generations, and this is becoming more and more difficult to put them under control. How can you put someone under control who has all the information in the world at their fingertips via the internet? Until the entire World Wide Web is shut down, that dogma cannot work.

So what do we do next?

  • How do we lead Gen Z to Christ without bombarding them with religion?
  • How do we bring their focus on Jesus than the world system and the internet?
  • How do we help our children, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren make heaven even with these flying new age teachings flooding the internet?

Want to dive into how this shift is affecting religious institutions or what it might mean for the future? Come with me to the concluding Part 2 of Jesus and Gen Z.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has set eternity in the human heart…”

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Hi! I’m Dr. Eno Iwok, a follower of Jesus Christ and the heart behind this blog. In a world full of noise, half-truths, and shifting values, I created this space to seek and share unshakable Truth—the kind found only in God’s Word. Here, we wrestle honestly, walk humbly, and stand boldly. Because even in the chaos, Truth still stands—and His name is Jesus.

Welcome to The Truth: In a Confusing World!.
Let’s walk this narrow way together, anchored in Scripture, lit by grace!

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Silent Courage: Modern-Day Daniels, Standing Firm in Persecution PT II

The Imprisoned

……When faith costs everything, it reveals what matters most …Dr. Eno Iwok

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.’ … Phillipians 3:7

The Watchers in the Fire

But here’s the most beautiful part of Daniel’s story—when the three friends were thrown into the furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar saw four figures in the flames, not three; Daniel 3:25 – Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

The fourth man in the fire
The fourth man in the fire

Jesus walks with His people through every fiery trial.

Pastor Samuel from Part I of our opening story experienced this firsthand. When militants finally reached his home that night, they found the front door wide open and the house empty—but the motorcycles mysteriously wouldn’t start. The believers had vanished, as if protected by invisible hands.

“We didn’t run in fear,” Samuel later testified. “We walked out in faith, knowing Jesus was leading us to safety. And He was“ (Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me).

The Gospel That Cannot Be Chained

The apostle Paul wrote from a Roman prison: “I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained” (2 Timothy 2:9).

Persecutors throughout history have made the same fundamental mistake—they think they can stop God by stopping His people. But every chain breaks, every prison door opens, and every attempt to silence the Gospel only makes it echo louder and louder.

Why? Because the Gospel isn’t just a message—it’s a living, breathing, transforming power that transcends human opposition.

The Lighted Word
His Word! The Light that Shines Through Darkness!

A Question for Our Comfort

As you read these accounts of incredible courage, ask yourself:

  • What furnace am I avoiding?
  • What compromise am I making to stay comfortable?

Most of us will never face martyrdom, but we all face moments where following Jesus costs us something:

  • The promotion that requires ethical compromise
  • The relationship that demands spiritual silence
  • The social circle that mocks biblical values
  • The career path that leaves no room for God

In these moments, we become modern-day Daniels. We choose between the golden image of worldly success and the living God who sees our hearts.

The Fourth Man in Your Fire

Here’s the Gospel truth that persecuted believers around the world know intimately: You are never alone in your trials!!! (Read that again and meditate on it). Whether your furnace is persecution, loss, illness, financial struggle, or spiritual attack, Jesus walks with you through the flames.

Isaiah 42:16 – “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth”.

The same God who shut the mouth of the lions for Daniel, who cooled the furnace for his friends, who broke chains for Peter, and who turned Paul’s prison into a pulpit—this same God is with you, believe it!.

But even if He doesn’t remove your trial, He will use it for His glory and your good. Stay faithful anf courageous.

Standing in the Gap

As you read about these modern heroes of faith, consider how God might be calling you to stand in the gap:

  • Pray – Join the global prayer movement for persecuted Christians. When believers in Nigeria face attack, they need the prayers of believers in Nigeria, America, Brazil, and everywhere in between.
  • Give – Support organizations that help persecuted Christians, smuggle Bibles, and care for families of martyrs.
  • Speak – Use your freedom to advocate for those who have none. Share their stories. Make their silence heard.
  • Live – Let their courage inspire your own faithfulness. If they can worship Jesus facing death, surely you can worship Him facing discomfort.

The Ultimate Victory

The most beautiful truth about persecution is this: it always fails to achieve its purpose. Every attempt to destroy Christianity only purifies and multiplies it.

Why? Because persecution cannot touch what matters most—the relationship between a believer’s heart and their Savior. You can imprison the body, but you cannot chain the soul that belongs to Christ.

The Imprisoned
Imprisoned for the sake of the gospel

As one imprisoned pastor wrote: “They put me in a cage, but my spirit soars with eagles. They silenced my voice, but my life still preaches. They took my freedom, but they cannot take my joy. I am more free in this cell with Jesus than I ever was in the world without Him.”

What a great and inspiraing faith! Can you say this for the sake of the gospel and for Christ? What can you give up to see the kingdom of God thrive in this world of confusion?

Your Fiery Furnace Moment

Somewhere today, a believer will face their fiery furnace moment. Maybe it’s you. Maybe it’s someone you know. Maybe it’s someone halfway around the world whose name you’ll never know but whose courage will inspire generations.

In that moment, remember Daniel’s friends. Remember modern believers who chose courage over comfort. Remember that faith isn’t about avoiding trials—it’s about trusting God through them.

And remember this promise from the One who walks through fire with His people:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:2-3).

The question isn’t whether trials will come. The question is: When they do, will you discover that your faith is genuine gold, or will it burn away like worthless straw?

Modern-day Daniels around the world have already answered that question with their lives. Now it’s your turn.

Even if He does not deliver us… we will not bow down!

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For more stories of faith and courage, visit cw.org. To pray for persecuted Christians worldwide, contact your local church or visit persecution-focused ministries online or write an email to me: enoiwok21@gmail.com.

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Hi! I’m Dr. Eno Iwok, a follower of Jesus and the heart behind this blog.
In a world full of noise, half-truths, and shifting values, I created this space to seek and share unshakable Truth—the kind found only in God’s Word. Here, we wrestle honestly, walk humbly, and stand boldly. Because even in the chaos, Truth still stands—and His name is Jesus.

Welcome to The Truth: In a Confusing World!.
Let’s walk this narrow way together, anchored in Scripture, lit by grace!

Posted on

Silent Courage: Modern-Day Daniels, Standing Firm in Persecution PT I

When faith costs everything, it reveals what matters most …Dr. Eno Iwok

(‘But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.’ … Philippians 3:7)

The Prayer That Changed Everything!

| …our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” …Daniel 3:17-18 |

Christians with one mind in prayer

In the dim glow of candlelight, Pastor Samuel’s weathered hands trembled as he held his worn Bible. Outside his modest home in northern Nigeria, the sound of approaching motorcycles sent chills through the small gathering of believers huddled in his living room. They had heard this sound before—it meant danger was coming.

But instead of scattering, something extraordinary happened. The dozen Christians present clasped hands and began to pray, their voices rising in unison: “Even if You do not deliver us, we will not bow down to fear.”

This scene, repeated countless times across the globe, echoes a story written over 2,500 years ago in ancient Babylon, where three young men faced a blazing furnace rather than compromise their faith.

The Furnace of Our Time

Today, over 365 million Christians face high levels of persecution worldwide—that’s one in seven believers. From the underground churches of North Korea to the bombed sanctuaries of Nigeria, from the imprisoned pastors of Iran to the silenced congregations of Myanmar, modern believers are walking through fires that would make Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego proud.

But here’s what the persecutors don’t understand: ~every attempt to silence the Gospel only amplifies it.

Voices from the Fire

  1. North Korea – The Underground Light

|‘And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.’ …Matthew 10:28|

Korean female christian not giving up on the gospel

In a country where owning a Bible is punishable by death, “Grace” (not her real name) smuggles handwritten Scripture verses for believers to keep their spiritual light shining and keep hope alive, sewn into her winter coat and delivered from porch to porch. When authorities discovered her small house church, they arrested twelve believers who were found there at the time of the raid. Grace’s response? “I told them that even if they kill my body, they cannot touch my soul. Jesus already paid that price.”

Six months later, three of the arresting officers secretly requested to meet with the surviving church members. The very persecution meant to destroy the faith had planted seeds of curiosity about a God worth dying for.

2. Nigeria – Refusing to Bow

When Boko Haram militants stormed the village church during Sunday service, they gave the congregation an ultimatum: “Deny Jesus or die!”. Seventy-year-old Mama Esther stood up first. “I have followed Jesus for fifty years. I will not stop now.”

Northern Nigerians refusing to bow
Northern Nigerian christians refusing to bow

What followed was not a massacre, but a miracle. One by one, the entire congregation—men, women, and children—stood with Mama Esther. Faced with such unified courage, several militants lowered their weapons. Later, two of them secretly converted to Christianity, saying they had never seen a faith so strong as this.

3. Iran – The Growing Underground

Despite facing imprisonment, torture, and death, Christianity is exploding in Iran. Pastor “David” runs an underground network of house churches from his basement.

Iranians in underground churches keeping faith

He was later caught and arrested, but this was what he had to say:

 “When they put me in prison for three years,” he says, “I led more people to Christ inside those walls than I had in ten years of freedom. Persecution doesn’t stop God—it reveals Him.“

The Daniel Connection

These modern believers are walking in the footsteps of Daniel and his friends, who faced their own impossible choices in Babylon. When King Nebuchadnezzar demanded worship of his golden image, three young Israelites delivered one of history’s most powerful declarations of faith:

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)

Notice the key phrase: “But even if he does not…”

This wasn’t conditional faith. This wasn’t a prosperity gospel promise. This was raw, unconditional surrender to God’s sovereignty, regardless of the outcome.

The Fire Reveals True Gold

Here’s what persecution does—it burns away everything false and reveals what’s genuinely precious. In comfortable Christianity, we can coast on tradition, family expectations, or social acceptance. But when following Jesus costs you everything, only those with genuine faith remain.

And that’s exactly what’s happening around the world:

  • In China, despite government crackdowns, Christianity grows by 7% annually
  • In Iran, the underground church has grown from 500 believers in 1979 to over 1 million today
  • In North Korea, defectors report that secret Christian networks are larger than the government realizes
  • In Nigeria, (especially in the north with so much persecution from Boko Haram), churches continue to meet despite constant threats, with many reporting supernatural protection and miraculous escapes

These testimonies underscore the remarkable resilience and expansion of faith, even in the face of opposition from the kingdom of darkness masked by governmental opposition. It is anticipated that attempts to suppress Christianity will ultimately prove ineffectual over time.

To read more about this, click on Part II for the continuation of the exciting Silent Courage of the modern day Daniels!

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Dr. Eno Iwok

Hi! I’m Dr. Eno Iwok, a follower of Jesus and the heart behind this blog.
In a world full of noise, half-truths, and shifting values, I created this space to seek and share unshakable Truth—the kind found only in God’s Word. Here, we wrestle honestly, walk humbly, and stand boldly.
Because even in the chaos, Truth still stands—and His name is Jesus.

Welcome to The Truth: In a Confusing World.
Let’s walk this narrow way together, anchored in Scripture, lit by grace!


Welcome to Truth: In a Confusing World.
Let’s walk this narrow way together, anchored in Scripture, lit by grace!