I brought Micah Steger onto the ChurchCandy Podcast to tackle a question I hear from pastors all the time: how do we reach the next generation? Micah is the director of Youth for the Nations, a youth summer camp based in Dallas, Texas, out of Christ for the Nations Institute. He works with Gen-Z students every single day, and his insights on what this generation actually needs from the church were eye-opening.
About Youth for the Nations
Micah explained what Youth for the Nations does and why it exists. It is more than a summer camp. It is a leadership development environment where young people encounter God, build community, and get equipped to lead in their local churches and communities. Micah has watched thousands of students come through the program, and he has a front-row seat to what motivates and moves this generation.
The Biggest Misunderstandings About Gen-Z
One of the first things Micah said was that most churches misunderstand Gen-Z. They think this generation does not care about church or faith. The reality is different. Gen-Z is deeply spiritual. They are asking big questions about purpose, identity, and belonging. The problem is that many churches are not creating environments where those questions are welcome.
Micah told me, “This generation can spot fake from a mile away. They do not want a performance. They want authenticity.” Churches that lead with real relationships and honest conversations will win with Gen-Z. Churches that rely on flashy programs and surface-level engagement will lose them.
How Churches Can Actually Reach Gen-Z
Micah gave some specific, actionable advice for pastors and church leaders:
- Create space for questions. Gen-Z does not want to be talked at. They want to be part of the conversation. Small groups, Q&A sessions, and open discussions about tough topics go a long way.Invest in mentorship. This generation is hungry for older, wiser voices in their lives. Formal mentoring programs or even informal coffee conversations between adult leaders and young people build the kind of trust that keeps them engaged.Give them responsibility. Do not wait until someone is 30 to let them lead. Micah said churches should be raising up young leaders now by giving them real roles and real ownership in the ministry.Meet them on their platforms. Gen-Z lives on social media. Churches that have a strong social media presence and use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to share their message will naturally connect with younger audiences.
Building a Culture of Trust
Micah kept coming back to the word trust. He said Gen-Z has grown up in a world of broken promises, institutional scandals, and information overload. They are cautious about who they trust, and rightfully so. Churches earn their trust by being consistent, transparent, and genuinely caring about their lives beyond Sunday morning.
He shared a principle that stuck with me: “Change happens toward, not by default.” In other words, reaching Gen-Z requires intentionality. You have to move toward them. They will not just show up because you opened the doors.
The Role of Servanthood
Micah also emphasized that Gen-Z responds to service. When they see leaders serving others selflessly, it resonates. This generation is passionate about justice, compassion, and making a difference. Churches that channel that energy through service projects, community outreach, and global missions will connect deeply with young people.
Final Thought
Reaching Gen-Z requires churches to rethink how they communicate, how they lead, and how they build community. Micah Steger is doing incredible work at Youth for the Nations, equipping the next generation of church leaders. If your church wants to reach more young people and young families through targeted digital outreach, we would love to help you build a strategy that works.
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