Church marketing strategies are evolving fast, and understanding how to reach Zoomers and Millennials is critical for any church that wants to grow.
Zoomers and Millennials represent a huge portion of society, but connecting with them can feel like trying to speak a different language. Their habits, interests, and digital behaviors differ significantly from those of previous generations.
Yet if your church can provide a sense of community, purpose, and belonging, you’ll find that young people are not only open to the Gospel — they’re hungry for it. The key lies in crafting a church marketing strategy that truly resonates with this demographic.
So how can you adjust your church’s outreach to reach them more effectively? Let’s dig in.
Table of Contents
Get to Know Your Audience on a Deeper Level
No church growth strategy works without first understanding the people you’re trying to reach. Beyond spiritual questions, you need to ask about daily routines, hobbies, and interests.
This kind of insight allows you to craft marketing campaigns that feel personal and relevant.
I recently sat down with Pastor Brandon Holmes, who grew his church using what he called “Coffee with a Pastor” ads.
Instead of a generic invite to Sunday service, Holmes offered something Zoomers and Millennials actually wanted — a casual coffee chat. The results were stunning. Young people showed up not because they were pressured, but because they felt genuinely seen and invited into authentic conversation.
That’s the power of knowing your audience.
Find Out Which Networks Are Most Popular Among Your Target Audience
Zoomers and Millennials live online. If your church isn’t meeting them where they are digitally, you’re invisible to them.
Facebook: Curate Engaging Content to Reach Younger Audiences
Despite shifting trends, Facebook still dominates the social media landscape. Your church page should be more than announcements — it should be a living, breathing community.
When I interviewed Pastor Ken Bennett of Connect Church, he told me how his congregation exploded from 150 to 600 in just six months through Facebook ads. The strategy wasn’t complicated: targeted ads, clear messaging, and consistent follow-up. But the results? Transformational.
Similarly, Pastor Garrett Booth of Freedom Church shared with me how they grew from 160 to over 1,300 members in just two years. Much of this growth came from harnessing Facebook to consistently engage people in their city. These stories prove Facebook is still a powerhouse when it’s used with intentionality.
Church Marketing Strategies for Instagram: Showcasing Your Church With Visual Content
Instagram is a visual-first platform — perfect for telling your church’s story in ways words cannot. Young people scroll fast, but they’ll stop for something beautiful, inspiring, or authentic.
Pastor Sherman Dumas shared with me how Instagram and Facebook ads helped attract 300 guests to his church’s launch day. By showing real faces, vibrant worship, and an exciting atmosphere, his church created a sense of anticipation that drew hundreds of first-time visitors.
For your church, that might mean behind-the-scenes stories, interactive polls, or even short testimonies that let young people feel the heartbeat of your community.
TikTok: Embrace the Power of Short-Form Video Content
TikTok isn’t just for dances and memes. It’s a mission field. Short-form video allows your church to deliver truth in bite-sized, engaging ways.
Mini-sermons, quick devotionals, or even humor rooted in faith can go viral and connect with audiences that might never step foot inside a church — at least not yet.
Pastor Josh Koskinen’s church, Story Hill Church in Wisconsin, launched with 710 people showing up on their very first Sunday. Much of that momentum came from leveraging digital buzz and short-form content that built anticipation with Millennials and Zoomers before doors even opened. Their story proves that the right digital launch strategy can capture young hearts fast.
Reinvent Your Church Website to Appeal to Zoomers and Millennials
Your church website is your digital front door. If it feels outdated, clunky, or impersonal, many young people won’t even give you a chance.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, visually modern, and optimized for search engines. Highlight stories, upcoming events, and real community impact. Think of it as the 24/7 “first impression” you can’t afford to get wrong.
Choose the Right Keywords to Increase Organic Traffic
SEO isn’t just a marketing buzzword — it’s a way to make sure people searching for spiritual answers online find your church first. Research what terms young people in your area are Googling and use those phrases naturally in your content.
For example: instead of just “Sunday service,” try “church for young adults in [your city].”
Partner With a Church Advertising Agency That Gets Results
Digital outreach takes skill, strategy, and experience. You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
When I interviewed Pastor Ken Bennett about Connect Church’s growth, he told me flat-out that working with ChurchCandy was the game-changer. The ads worked, the follow-up worked, and his people were ready to welcome newcomers.
That’s what we do at ChurchCandy. With over a decade of experience helping churches like Freedom Church, Connect Church, and church plants across the nation, we’ve seen firsthand how digital outreach can multiply Kingdom impact.
If you’re ready to attract Millennials and Zoomers to your church, let’s connect.
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