Posted on 12/21/2025 12:09:22 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
ATLANTA (AP) — Millennial and Generation Z Christian influencers are increasingly filling a void in American religion, growing audiences across digital platforms by steering young people to biblical answers to tough questions that aren’t always answered in Sunday sermons.
“I can be that in-between — Monday to Saturday help — to give you practical things to make you feel like you’re not walking this walk alone,” said Megan Ashley, 35, sitting cross-legged in sweats on the couch where she records her “In Totality” podcast.
From myriad backgrounds, these influencers talk candidly to their listeners about everything from anxieties and doubts to dating and culture, delving into the Bible’s complexities. Those of faith say Christian influencers are galvanizing young people looking for meaning in a culture that lacks it at a time when years of declining church attendance has slowed.
“What they’re making accessible is a truth that transforms people,” said Lecrae Moore, a Christian rapper and podcaster. “There’s something that’s happening existentially — supernaturally — that I can’t explain.”
Ashley and Moore are among a half-dozen popular influencers who described their work for this story. With and without formal theological training, they describe themselves as churchgoers who don’t want their messages boxed in by denominational labels.
Some grew up in church; others didn’t, but they commonly describe experiencing a spiritual transformation that came out of hardship or a sense of emptiness they pin on secular lifestyles.
“We’re like, listen, we’re two mess-ups too. It’s OK,” said Arielle Reitsma, 36, co-host of podcast “Girls Gone Bible,” which gets more than a million listens or streams each month.
These algorithm-savvy podcasters fit comfortably in a long tradition of Christian celebrities, said Zachary Sheldon, a Baylor University lecturer on media, religion and culture who cited televangelist Billy Graham as an example...
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
encouraging news, God is at work.
Ashley and Moore are among a half-dozen popular influencers who described their work for this story. With and without formal theological training, they describe themselves as churchgoers who don’t want their messages boxed in by denominational labels.
Some grew up in church; others didn’t, but they commonly describe experiencing a spiritual transformation that came out of hardship or a sense of emptiness they pin on secular lifestyles.
Mal 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In His presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared Him and always thought about the honor of His name.
I have always had a fondness for the above verse. What did they talk about? We know two things, they FEARED GOD and God listened and wrote down their names.
We need influencers who can say to people “You don’t need to become good to get Saved. You have to realise you are bad in order to get Saved. You have nothing to offer before the Cross, not even your life because even that is not your’s to give. Your life is in His Hands and it gets discarded and replaced.”.
These algorithm-savvy podcasters
In this case algorithms might be useful?
Maybe but with the rise of AI, I’d be really careful about trusting some *influencer* for solid Biblical teaching.
They seem to be pretty sincere and and earnest in their faith and defending it. I'm impressed.
Maybe but with the rise of AI, I’d be really careful about trusting some *influencer* for solid Biblical teaching.
Luk 9:49 John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using Your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.”
Luk 9:50 But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.”
If they are using Jesus name, God can be at work
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