Is Gen Z Becoming More Open to Jesus?

6 hours ago

EIA Team

Interview, podcast

What if the generation we think is walking away from Christianity is also asking more questions about Jesus than we realise? And what if the biggest challenge isn’t their lack of interest – but whether we’re ready to respond?

We’ve heard plenty about declining church attendance, young people leaving Christianity and the growing number of Australians identifying as having no religion. But is that the whole story?

In this episode of The Win Win Evangelism Podcast, Tina Waldrom explores what recent Australian and US research reveals about Gen Z and their openness to Jesus. From young Australians moving towards Christian identification to American teenagers expressing curiosity about faith, Tina challenges us to look beyond the headlines and reconsider what these findings could mean for evangelism today.

But curiosity about Jesus doesn’t automatically lead to faith, and that’s where Christians and churches have an important role to play. Tina unpacks why genuine relationships, honest conversations and the way we treat people matter just as much as our ability to explain the gospel. She also introduces a practical approach to evangelism – Recognise, Relate and Reveal – to help everyday believers notice opportunities, build meaningful relationships and confidently share Jesus. Whether you’re a Christian wanting to share your faith more naturally or a church leader thinking about reaching the next generation, this episode will challenge you to stop making assumptions about young people and start asking a better question: Are we ready when someone becomes curious about Jesus?

IN THIS EPISODE

Research on Gen Z’s faith attitudes in Australia and the US
The importance of listening and genuine relationships in evangelism
The role of curiosity and questions in faith exploration
Challenges of relevance and trust in reaching young people
Practical steps for Christians and churches to foster faith conversations

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction: The Opportunity with Gen Z

01:49 – Research Findings from Australia on Gen Z Faith Trends

05:00 – US Teen Attitudes Toward Jesus and Faith

06:23 – Understanding Gen Z’s World of Information and Curiosity

07:45 – Creating Safe Spaces for Questions in Churches

09:06 – Addressing Disappointments and Disconnection from Church

14:57 – The Three R’s: Recognize, Relate, Reveal

18:35 – Practical Steps for Engaging Gen Z Today

19:58 – Conclusion: The Future of Evangelism with Gen Z

EPISODE CHAPTERS

Full Video Episode – Watch Now

The Most Evangelistic Thing You Can Do is Not to Win an Argument – Watch Now

MEET TINA WALDROM

Tina Waldrom is the founder of Evangelism in Australia and host of The Win Win Evangelism Podcast. Tina has developed a deep conviction that evangelism is not only essential but learnable. Drawing on years of practical experience, ministry and training, she equips believers and church leaders with the clarity, confidence and practical tools they need to engage in meaningful faith conversations, recognise where God is already at work and make evangelism a natural part of everyday Christian life.

Connect with Tina:

Website – Instagram – Facebook – LinkedIn

GO DEEPER

Discussion Questions

1. Are we assuming young people aren’t interested in Jesus?

Have you ever assumed someone wouldn’t be interested in Christianity because of their age, lifestyle or background? How might those assumptions prevent you from recognising opportunities for evangelism?

Read: Acts 17:22-23; John 4:7-10

2. Are we creating space for honest questions about faith?

How do you usually respond when someone asks a difficult question about Christianity? Do people feel comfortable expressing doubts or disagreements around you, or do they feel pressured to accept your answers?

Read: James 1:19; 1 Peter 3:15

3. Does the way we live make Jesus attractive to others?

What do our actions communicate about Jesus to people who don’t yet follow Him? If a non-Christian described their experience of you or your church, what might they say about your kindness, integrity and love?

Read: John 13:34-35; Matthew 5:16

4. Are we talking about evangelism more than we’re actually doing it?

Why is it sometimes easier to attend evangelism training than to have an actual conversation about Jesus? What’s currently stopping you from taking the next step in sharing your faith?

Read: James 1:22; Colossians 4:5-6

5. Are we genuinely interested in people, or simply trying to reach them?

What’s the difference between building a genuine friendship and treating someone as an evangelism opportunity? Are there people in your life you could spend more time getting to know, without immediately trying to steer the conversation towards faith?

Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:8; Philippians 2:3-4

6. Are we willing to move from showing love to talking about Jesus?

Why do Christians sometimes find it easier to demonstrate their faith through actions than to talk openly about Jesus? How could you naturally share what Jesus means to you without making the conversation feel forced?

Read: Romans 10:14-15; Colossians 4:5-6

7. What would change if we became more intentional about evangelism?

Of the three areas: Recognise, Relate and Reveal – which comes most naturally to you? Which one needs the most attention? What could you or your church do differently over the next 30 days to help more people explore Jesus?

Read: Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 3:6-7