The Rise Of ‘Christian-Without-The-Religion’ Americans Shocks Experts
As the United States continues to experience significant shifts in its spiritual and religious landscape, the figure of Jesus of Nazareth maintains a powerful and timeless appeal—even among those who are skeptical of institutional religion. A recent study by the Barna Group, conducted as part of the State of the Church 2025 project, reveals a notable rise in Americans expressing a personal connection to Jesus, particularly among younger generations.
The research shows that 66% of U.S. adults now say they have a personal commitment to Jesus, a sharp increase from the 54% recorded in 2021. David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna, views this as a compelling indicator of spiritual revival, estimating that around 30 million more individuals have embraced a relationship with Jesus over the past four years. The trend is especially evident among Gen Z and millennials, with significant gains in commitment among young men from both groups.
What stands out even more is the growing number of people who claim a personal connection to Jesus despite not identifying as Christian. About 30% of non-Christians report such a commitment, suggesting that spiritual renewal is happening outside traditional religious boundaries. Kinnaman sees this as evidence of a shift toward faith that isn’t necessarily rooted in church attendance or denominational identity.
This trend aligns with earlier Barna research on those who consider themselves “spiritual but not religious.” Many people are exploring faith through nontraditional avenues, possibly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted widespread reflection on life’s deeper meaning. Cultural influences like the series The Chosen, the “He Gets Us” campaign, and campus revival movements may also be playing a role, although Barna has not specifically measured their impact.
For churches, these developments offer both promise and challenge. While there’s clear openness to spiritual exploration and commitment to Jesus, it doesn’t always translate into increased church participation. Kinnaman encourages faith leaders to meet this moment by focusing on genuine discipleship and nurturing personal faith journeys. Though the exact causes behind this spiritual resurgence remain uncertain, Barna’s findings—drawn from over 130,000 interviews across 25 years—make one thing clear: interest in Jesus is rising in fresh and unexpected places.