In a quiet corner of the internet, a new generation of Christian voices is stepping into a role that churches have struggled to fill for years.
Influencers Bridging the Gap
Megan Ashley, 35, sits cross-legged in sweats on her couch while she records her podcast “In Totality.” She says, “I can be that in-between – Monday to Saturday help – to give you practical things to make you feel like you’re not walking this walk alone.” Her message is a direct answer to questions that Sunday sermons often leave unanswered.
Alongside Ashley, Christian rapper and podcaster Lecrae Moore notes, “What they’re making accessible is a truth that transforms people. There’s something that’s happening existentially – supernaturally – that I can’t explain.” These voices come from a mix of backgrounds, some raised in church and others not, but all describe a spiritual transformation that emerged from hardship or a sense of emptiness tied to secular lifestyles.
Rising Stars in the Digital Ministry
Arielle Reitsma, 36, co-hosts the podcast “Girls Gone Bible,” which draws more than a million listens or streams each month. She and her co-host, Angela Halili, 29, tell listeners, “We’re like, listen, we’re two mess-ups too. It’s OK.” They encourage church attendance and reach out to people who feel disconnected from religion, a trend reflected in recent Pew Research Center data: only 41% of people ages 18-35 surveyed in 2023-24 say they believe in God with certainty, down from 65% in 2007.
Reitsma and Halili have been hosting for over two years and now draw live crowds. At an event in Atlanta, they warned fans against idolizing work or relationships, shared their Hollywood-era struggles with addiction, heartbreak and mental health disorders, and highlighted God’s “radical healing.” They want listeners to know that miracles can happen in everyday lives.
Anna Williams, 17, told the group after the show, “I consider both Reitsma and Halili to be a big sister in my life.”
Voices from Different Walks
Jackie Hill Perry, 36, and her husband, Preston Perry, 39, are authors, spoken-word artists, and streetwear brand owners. Their podcast “With the Perrys” started in 2019 and covers Bible themes, parenting, Black culture, and the challenges of living in a strange world. “It is the all – how do we do all of this stuff in this weird flesh and weird world?” Hill Perry asks. She also says, “God calls us to ruffle feathers sometimes, to speak to culture.”
At 22, Bryce Crawford runs a self-named podcast where he teaches Bible chapters and talks to people at Pride parades, Burning Man, and a satanic temple. He keeps his evangelism gentle: “My issue with ‘repent or burn in hell’ is that people get frustrated because they don’t know why you’re telling them that.” Crawford explains, “Our tactics have been one-on-one conversations, calmly listening, asking questions because we care about them, and in that explaining our worldview.”
The Power and Peril of Online Ministry
Baylor University lecturer Zachary Sheldon points out that these influencers operate independently, giving them easier access to audiences than established congregations or media organizations. “Exposing people to the faith and challenging them to ask questions and search for something more are really good things to do,” Sheldon says, but he warns of the “potential dangers in granting them too much authority on the basis of their celebrity and their acumen with social media.”
Hill Perry notes that online drama can distract from core Christian teachings: “A hyperfocus on online drama and Christianity’s more esoteric beliefs can miss the basics, such as love and Christ’s sacrifice.” She worries that talking about gentleness or respect might feel boring to some.
The influencers also face political backlash. Reitsma and Halili were criticized for praying at a pre-inauguration rally for President Donald Trump. The Perrys have been criticized by conservatives for discussing police brutality and racial injustice, and by liberals for opposing same-sex marriage and abortion.
Yet many followers appreciate an alternative to traditional pastors. Olivia Singleton, 24, says, “I really needed someone who was a younger Black female portraying something that wasn’t super traditional. They’re like one of the girls walking out the faith with you.”
Key Takeaways
- Millennial and Gen-Z Christian influencers are filling a void left by declining church attendance.
- Influencers like Megan Ashley, Arielle Reitsma, Angela Halili, Jackie Hill Perry, and Bryce Crawford use podcasts and live events to address doubts, culture, and personal struggles.
- Online ministry offers reach but also carries risks of misrepresentation and political controversy.
The rise of these digital voices underscores a broader shift: young Americans are seeking spiritual answers online, and a new generation of pastors-without denominational labels-are stepping up to meet that hunger.
*Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.*
