I’m dedicating the 8th Season of our Podcasts to the ‘Next Generation.’ My reason is simple.

I converted from atheism to theism, specifically Christian theism, in 1971. I was 23-years-old and filled with excitement as I embarked on what has been an amazing, though at times, difficult journey. I was part of a new ‘generation’ of young Christians who were filling church pews and Bible studies across the country. Some people called it the ‘Jesus Generation’ or ‘Jesus Movement’ because of the massive number of young people becoming followers of Jesus Christ in the late 60’s and 70’s.

As I inch closer to ‘flying away’ as Moses wrote in Psalm 90, my thoughts go to the newest generations of young people who are becoming Christians. I’ve worked with college and career-age young adults since becoming a Christian, so I’ve seen firsthand the challenges they’ve faced – in churches and on college campuses. Many people who began following Jesus in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s fell away in the 90’s and early 2000’s. The levels of young people who professed a strong commitment to Jesus Christ reached the lowest levels in 2021 and 2022 – during the early years of the Covid Pandemic. However, since then the numbers have increased twelve percent and continue to rise. Why?

According to one of the largest polling groups, Millennials and Gen Z are driving the resurgence of interest in committing their lives to Christ – especially young men.

“That sets up the context for another counterintuitive trend: men—especially younger men—are more likely to be Jesus followers than are younger women. For example, among Gen Z men, commitment to Jesus jumped 15 percentage points between 2019 and 2025. Millennial men saw a similar spike of 19 percentage points.” Barna

While I find that good news, I also find it concerning because of the state of modern churches. I celebrate the tens of thousands of ‘next generation’ young people becoming committed followers of Christ, but I’m also concerned by the poor theology surrounding them. The warning the Apostle Paul gave Christians about what the ‘last days’ would be like is true.

“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” Acts 20:29-30

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

I was fortunate to be surrounded by strong pastors and Bible teachers in the 70’s who emphasized both ‘knowing’ and ‘living for’ Christ. Was everything perfect in churches in the 70’s. No, but there seemed to be a stronger belief among both the new Christians and their pastors to learn how to study the Bible properly and to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Christians have a powerful enemy who wants to destroy their faith. The devil has done his best during the last half-century to move the ‘Jesus Generation’ of the late 60’s and 70’s away from a deep commitment to Christ – and he has been somewhat successful at it – even as Jesus and His apostles predicted centuries ago.

Even as we look at the growing interest of young people in following Christ, let’s keep our eyes fixed on the prize before us. As Paul wrote in Philippians chapter three:

“… but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3:13-15

Young Christians – there is an important ‘goal’ ahead of you. No matter what you face in your life, no matter how many challenges you face – and you will face many – keep reaching forward toward the ‘prize of the upward call of God in Christ.’

I’ll share more with you in the coming weeks and months, but please know that I remember what it’s like to be a young Christian in a world that offers so much but delivers so little. I’ve also seen the damage that churches, denominations, and so-called Christian colleges have done to my generation. We live in a divided nation now, and we lived in a divided nation when I was saved. Things are not so different and the ‘real answers’ are still the same – just like they were two-thousand years ago. I hope something I share through these podcasts will help you through the obstacles you’ll face in your journey. I’m glad we’re in it together!

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In Christ’s Love and Grace,

Mark McGee

GraceLife / Faith and Self Defense / Grace Martial Arts / Substack

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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