Gen Z Worship: What does it sound like, and is it another sign of a quiet revival?
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by Andrew Mitchell, Founder of Safehouse Scotland
By now, most of us have heard the headlines: Gen Z is more spiritually open than expected. Reports like Signs of the Times from the Bible Society and Barna’s global study of teenagers have already traced the outlines of what many are calling a ‘quiet revival’. Church attendance is rising among 18–24-year-olds. Interest in prayer, the Bible, and Jesus is growing across countries and cultures. What was once surprising has started to feel familiar.
But beneath the surface of these statistics is something still unfolding – something that’s not just about numbers, but about sound. Worship music, long considered the soundtrack of revival, is now becoming a language through which Gen Z is expressing, shaping, and deepening their faith.
We saw tangible evidence of this at this year’s Big Church Festival, which sold out for the first time in its history. More than 35,000 Christians gathered in worship, with many attendees commenting on the overwhelming presence of young people. In fact, Gen Z made up 50% of the attendees – up from 38% in 2024. But it wasn’t just the crowd that pointed to something new: it was the music. A new wave of UK worship artists took the stage, offering a glimpse into how Gen Z is reshaping the language and style of worship.
This shift is being echoed far beyond the festival fields. Streaming platforms are registering a surge of interest in Christian music, with UK Christian music streams up 60% in the last five years. In an era where many genres are in decline, Christian and gospel music stand out as among the few seeing growth in new releases and audience engagement1.
But what is it about worship music that’s resonating so deeply with this generation, and why now?
At the heart of this shift is a generation that is spiritually curious, but deeply discerning. Gen Z isn’t content with shallow answers or surface-level inspiration. They’re searching for truth that’s lived, not just preached. In a chaotic world, they’re drawn to messages that speak honestly about weakness, suffering, and the longing for meaning. Worship music, at its best, is meeting that hunger, not with polished perfection, but with authenticity and depth. Increasingly, Christian artists are writing and speaking from a place of vulnerability and conviction, offering testimonies, as well as melodies.
This hunger for reality is also shaping who Gen Z looks to for leadership. When British rap star Stormzy accepted an award recently and declared on live television, “I want to be very clear about the God I serve – that’s Jesus Christ, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, that’s my God,” it wasn’t just a moment of personal faith; it was a cultural signal. For many young people, artists like Stormzy are trusted voices. What resonates is their transparency.
In Stormzy’s case, he is open about his flaws, and doesn’t pretend to be perfect – often talking about his faith while also admitting to struggles with temptation, mistakes and personal battles. His honesty in song lyrics shows that faith is a journey, rather than a finished product, which resonates deeply with young listeners.
Gen Z is drawn to leaders who are unafraid to name their faith and live by it, boldly and without compromise.
But we can’t talk about Gen Z without acknowledging the digital world they’ve been shaped by. This is a generation raised on smartphones, social media, playlists, and short-form content – an always-on culture that has profoundly influenced how they engage with worship.
In response, we’re seeing an explosion of curated worship playlists, bite-sized spiritual reflections, and authentic storytelling that speaks their language. For many young people, worship is accessible anytime, anywhere. And in that quiet, personal space, often behind a screen, young people can encounter the presence of God in deeply personal ways.
This digital accessibility also makes space for vulnerability. In the privacy of their bedrooms or during a walk with headphones in, Gen Z can let down their guard. They can cry, confess, and surrender. And in a world marked by brokenness, where thousands of children in the UK are growing up without a father figure, worship music becomes more than background noise. It becomes a lifeline. Through songs that speak of hope, healing, and unconditional love, young people are discovering the one true Father who sees them, knows them, and calls them His own.
So what does this mean for those who are shepherding this generation? It means we have an incredible opportunity. Gen Z is already worshipping, writing, leading, and seeking God in bold, creative ways. Let’s meet them there. Let’s champion young worship leaders, invest in their creativity, and create spaces, both digital and physical, where their questions are welcomed, their gifts are nurtured, and their passion for Jesus is ignited.
The future of the Church is alive in the voices of a generation that’s hungry for truth and ready to praise. Let’s fan that flame.
Author Bio:
Andrew Mitchell, along with his wife Jilly, founded Safehouse Scotland in 2024 to create and steward worship songs marked by authenticity, presence and purpose. Andrew Mitchell’s latest song, Look Up, can be listened to here.