Christian influencers teach online, drawing young followers

ATLANTA — 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 questions not always addressed in Sunday sermons. Among them are Megan Ashley, 35, host of the In Totality podcast, and Lecrae Moore, a Christian rapper and podcaster, two of a half-dozen popular voices described in this report.

Ashley frames her work as serving as an in-between for listeners, offering Monday-to-Saturday guidance and practical steps to make people feel less alone on their faith journeys. The influencers come from varied backgrounds and discuss anxieties, doubts, dating, and culture, digging into the Bible's complexities.

Ashley and Moore work independently, often with little formal theological training, describing themselves as churchgoers who prefer messages not boxed in by denominational labels.

Some grew up in church; others did not, but they share stories of spiritual transformation sparked by hardship, emptiness, or a sense of misalignment with secular life.

Arielle Reitsma, 36, co-host of Girls Gone Bible, said the podcast network reaches more than a million listens or streams each month, underscoring the broad reach of these creators.

Zachary Sheldon, a Baylor University lecturer who studies media, religion and culture, has described these podcasters as continuing a long tradition of Christian celebrity. He noted that while exposing people to faith and encouraging questions is valuable, there are risks in granting influencers too much authority based on popularity and social-media savvy.

These influencers encourage church attendance and reach audiences that surveys show have become more detached from religion. Pew Research Center data from 2023-24 show 41 percent of Americans aged 18-35 believe in God with certainty, down from 65 percent in 2007.

Angela Halili, 29, and Reitsma say there is spiritual hunger online and that many people meet Jesus through digital platforms. They have begun drawing live crowds at events in Atlanta, where they discuss faith alongside personal stories of healing and humanitarian themes.

At a recent Atlanta event, Halili and Reitsma spoke with fans about the dangers of idolizing work or relationships, carrying Bibles and recounting their own past struggles with addiction, heartbreak and mental health issues before finding faith. Halili described the healing she experienced as radical and said listeners can expect miracles in their lives too.

Afterward, the pair prayed with attendees, including 17-year-old Anna Williams, who said the pair feel like sisters in her life.

Even as they promote biblical principles as guidance toward joy, the influencers acknowledge that being Christian can be hard. Ashley says living as a sacrifice involves giving up certain desires to grow closer to God, and she has spoken about her healing after a divorce and battles with suicidal thoughts.

Jackie Hill Perry, 36, a speaker, author and often a critic of same-sex relationships, and her husband Preston Perry, 39, started the With the Perrys podcast in 2019. They also run a streetwear brand and discuss faith, culture and personal history, including poverty and violence in their upbringing.

In a recent episode, the Perrys urged listeners to be honest about trusting God and described a path of prayer, obedience and Bible reading as the route to lasting peace and growth through hard times.

Bryce Crawford, 22, hosts a self-titled podcast and creates videos of himself dialoguing with people at Pride parades, Burning Man and a Satanic temple; his approach stresses kindness and dialogue rather than shouting condemnation, while presenting a conservative view on issues such as same-sex marriage.

Crawford has described his own struggles with anxiety and bitterness toward God, which he said were resolved through a personal encounter, and he says his method centers on one-on-one conversations, listening and asking questions because he cares about others and wants to explain his worldview.

Experts acknowledge that online Christianity has its challenges. A focus on drama and on more esoteric beliefs can divert attention from core messages about love and sacrifice, and there is concern about the balance of accountability when celebrity intersects with faith.

Halili and Reitsma faced pushback for praying at a pre-inauguration rally for President Donald Trump, while The Perrys attracted criticism from conservatives for addressing police brutality and racial injustice, and from liberals for opposing same-sex marriage and abortion.

Some followers say these influencers offer a welcome alternative to pastors who they feel spoke from a distance. Olivia Singleton, 24, says she enjoys the relatable approach and calls the influencers like one of the girls walking through faith with her.

As church attendance and belief patterns shift, these creators are shaping a new era of Christian communication that blends online ministry with traditional acts of faith.

Scholars say the trend is rooted in a broader media environment where religious content competes with entertainment and pop culture, and where independent creators can build large audiences outside traditional congregations.