The Quiet Revival: Is America Returning to Faith?

August 7, 2025

In a time when headlines often declare the decline of religion in the United States, a quiet but significant trend may be underway: a renewed interest in faith, particularly among younger generations. While global Christianity is growing strongest in what researchers call the "Global South"—a term referring to developing regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia—new signs point to a possible spiritual resurgence here at home. But is America really returning to faith? And if so, who is leading the charge?

A Tale of Two Trends: U.S. vs. Global Christianity

Globally, Christianity is still growing. According to Pew Research, the number of Christians worldwide rose from 2.1 billion to 2.3 billion between 2010 and 2020. However, the global share of Christians actually shrank—from 31% to 29%—due to faster growth in other religions and non-religious populations. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the fastest-growing region for Christianity, with a 31% population surge over the last decade.

In contrast, the U.S. has seen decades of Christian decline. In 1976, over 90% of Americans identified as Christian. Today, that number is closer to 64%, and projections suggest Christians could make up less than half of the population by 2070 if current trends continue. Yet recent data suggests the downward curve may be leveling off—and even ticking upward among certain groups.

The Revival Begins: When and Why

The resurgence appears to have begun around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As the world shut down and people faced widespread fear, isolation, and uncertainty, many turned to spiritual answers. Livestream church services boomed, online searches for prayer and Bible verses skyrocketed, and churches quickly adapted to digital platforms.

According to a Gallup report from 2023, church attendance—both in-person and online—began trending upward again by late 2021. Interestingly, much of the revival energy seems to be driven by younger Americans. A recent Barna Group study found that Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996, currently ages 29 to 44) and Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012, currently ages 13 to 28) are showing increased spiritual openness compared to previous years. This contradicts the long-held assumption that younger generations are less interested in religion. In fact, Barna’s 2023 data showed that 77% of Gen Z adults say they are at least "somewhat open" to spirituality.

The causes behind this renewed interest in faith are multifaceted. The pandemic undoubtedly triggered deep questions about meaning, mortality, and purpose. At the same time, many Americans have grown disillusioned with secular institutions, politics, and divisive ideologies. Faith communities—especially those focused on relationship and authenticity—offer connection and hope in a fractured world.

Who is Returning—and Where?

While older generations remain steady or in decline, Millennials and Gen Z are showing fresh interest. Millennials' weekly attendance has nearly doubled—from 21% in 2019 to 39% in 2024.

Ethnically, Black Americans report the highest attendance at 47%, followed by Hispanic Americans (39%), White Americans (34%), and Asian Americans (26%). In geographic terms, the South—particularly Texas and Florida—continues to show strong faith retention and youth-driven growth. States with large Evangelical and Hispanic Catholic populations tend to report the most consistent church engagement.

Denominationally, Evangelical Protestant and Catholic churches are faring better than Mainline Protestant denominations, which have seen the steepest declines. Mainline Protestants made up 63% of U.S. Christians in 1970; they now account for only 29%.

Online Worship by Denomination

Denomination / Tradition	Online Participation Highlights
Historically Black Protestant churches	Lead in virtual engagement: 54–58% participate monthlyPew Research Center AP News The Washington Post
White Evangelical Protestants	Moderate online activity: ~46% participate monthlyPew Research Center
Catholics & Mainline Protestants	Significantly lower online engagement: ~20% or lessPew Research Center The Washington Post

Faith Beyond the Pew: The Role of Digital Worship

Many surveys that track church attendance don't fully account for online engagement—but that’s where much of the faith momentum is happening.

Barna’s data shows that more than one-third of practicing Christians are now hybrid worshipers, attending both physically and digitally. Online services, podcasts, livestreamed Bible studies, and Christian YouTube channels have created alternative entry points for people seeking spiritual community. This is especially true for younger believers who prefer flexible, tech-enabled engagement.

In fact, the rise of digital faith practices suggests that Christianity’s future might be less about location and more about connection—online and off.

Conclusion: A New Kind of Revival

Is America returning to faith? Not in the same way it did during tent revivals or the evangelical surges of the 1980s. But the hunger for meaning, truth, and community is driving many—especially the young—back to spiritual roots.

The numbers don’t paint a picture of mass revival just yet. But they do suggest a meaningful shift. Whether through a pew, a podcast, or a livestream, people are exploring faith again—and that may be the beginning of a new kind of awakening.

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Founder, Artisan Shop USA

Sources: Pew Research, Gallup, Barna Group, PRRI, ChurchTrac, New York Post, Axios, Wikipedia

Pew Research Center: “Modeling the Future of Religion in America” (2022)
Gallup: “Religion’s Influence Declining, but Church Attendance Rebounding” (2023)
Barna Group: “Spiritual Openness in America” (2023)
Center for the Study of Global Christianity: “World Christian Trends” (2022)
Christianity Today: “The Global South Is Sending Missionaries to the West” (2021)

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