Gen Z Faces New Challenges

Springtide Research Institute has released a new report: Navigating Injustice: A Closer Look at Race, Faith & Mental Health, drawing from a data set of 5,951 young people ages 13 to 25, 3,159 of which were BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color).

Some of the findings include: 

  1. For most young people of color, racial/ethnic identity is more important than religious identity, though for many children of immigrants, these are indistinguishable.
  2. Positive racial/ethnic and religious identities are associated with good mental health for young people of color.
  3. Young people of color wish faith leaders and communities would acknowledge and celebrate their racial/ethnic identity.

Gen Z is facing a mental health crisis. Majorities said they are depressed (64% white, 61% BIPOC) or anxious (77% white, 74% BIPOC). Navigating Injustice confirms that acknowledging one’s racial/ethnic identities is critical to young people of color thriving in their mental health, faith lives and beyond.

The report is available at SpringtideResearch.org.

Evangel Church: Never Stop Serving

Last year, Evangel started a church two hours away inside the largest women’s prison in New York. A pastor and a team go every Thursday to share a message, preach and lead worship for the prisoners.

Angulus Wilson: Evangelism Is the Heart of God

When the church taps into the mission and the heart of God, she gets mobilized, she can get revived. We can see growth and new initiative.

David Kinnaman: Start the Conversation

Church leaders must recognize that what feels hidden is actually hurting people, and that discipleship includes helping people break free from destructive patterns.