Angela Halili, 29, right, cohost of the Christian podcast, "Girls Gone Bible," prays over a follower during their live show held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)2025-12-21T13:27:06Z ATLANTA (AP) 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 tough questions that arent always answered in Sunday sermons.I can be that in-between Monday to Saturday help to give you practical things to make you feel like youre not walking this walk alone, said Megan Ashley, 35, sitting cross-legged in sweats on the couch where she records her In Totality podcast. From myriad backgrounds, these influencers talk candidly to their listeners about everything from anxieties and doubts to dating and culture, delving into the Bibles complexities. Those of faith say Christian influencers are galvanizing young people looking for meaning in a culture that lacks it at a time when years of declining church attendance has slowed. What theyre making accessible is a truth that transforms people, said Lecrae Moore, a Christian rapper and podcaster. Theres something thats happening existentially supernaturally that I cant explain. Christian podcaster, Megan Ashley, sits on the couch where she films her show, In Totality, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at her home in Acworth, Ga. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Christian podcaster, Megan Ashley, sits on the couch where she films her show, In Totality, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at her home in Acworth, Ga. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Ashley and Moore are among a half-dozen popular influencers who described their work for this story. With and without formal theological training, they describe themselves as churchgoers who dont want their messages boxed in by denominational labels. Some grew up in church; others didnt, but they commonly describe experiencing a spiritual transformation that came out of hardship or a sense of emptiness they pin on secular lifestyles.Were like, listen, were two mess-ups too. Its OK, said Arielle Reitsma, 36, co-host of podcast Girls Gone Bible, which gets more than a million listens or streams each month. Girls Gone Bible podcasters, Angela Halili, left, and Arielle Reitsma, attend 2819 Church on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Girls Gone Bible podcasters, Angela Halili, left, and Arielle Reitsma, attend 2819 Church on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Connecting online, and in personThese algorithm-savvy podcasters fit comfortably in a long tradition of Christian celebrities, said Zachary Sheldon, a Baylor University lecturer on media, religion and culture who cited televangelist Billy Graham as an example. Working independently, they can harness audiences more easily than established congregations and media organizations can.Exposing people to the faith and challenging them to ask questions and search for something more are really good things to do, Sheldon said. But he pointed to potential dangers in granting them too much authority on the basis of their celebrity and their acumen with social media. Followers of the Christian podcast, Girls Gone Bible, cry during the live show held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Followers of the Christian podcast, Girls Gone Bible, cry during the live show held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More These influencers encourage church attendance and describe reaching a variety of people, including those who have been particularly disconnected from religion, which polls show is a growing number of young Americans. Only 41% of people ages 18-35 surveyed in 2023-24 said they believe in God with certainty, down from 65% in 2007, according to the Pew Research Center.People are spiritually hungry, emotionally hungry, and I think for the first time ever people are encountering Jesus even through online platforms, and theyre realizing, this is true life and fulfillment, said Angela Halili, 29, Reitsmas co-host. The pair now draws live crowds since starting the podcast more than two years ago. At an event in Atlanta, they warned hundreds of fans against idolizing work or relationships, Bibles in hand, and recounted their days as Hollywood actors battling addiction, heartbreak and mental health disorders. Halili said God brought them radical healing, and they want listeners to know that God can perform miracles in their lives, too.Afterward, they hugged and prayed for people in the audience, where Anna Williams, 17, said she considers both Reitsma and Halili to be a big sister in her life. They say Christian life isnt easy, but its worth itEven as they espouse biblical principles as guidance toward true joy, influencers say that being Christian can be hard.God does make everything better, but that doesnt always come in the way that we think its gonna come, said In Totality host Ashley.Her current obsession, which she teaches with fervor, is a biblical passage about living as a sacrifice. God asks people to give up certain wants and behaviors so they can grow closer to him, Ashley says. She said her intensity grew after a healing encounter with Gods severity as a freshly divorced single mom plagued by suicidal thoughts and depression. Bible passages, day-to-day plights and heavier challenges are covered on With the Perrys, a podcast led by husband and wife authors and spoken-word artists who also run a streetwear brand.It is the all how do we do all of this stuff in this weird flesh and weird world? said Jackie Hill Perry, 36. Christian podcaster and poet, Preston Perry, second from left, and his wife, Jackie Hill Perry, a Christian rapper and podcaster, third from left, attend service at 2819 Church on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Christian podcaster and poet, Preston Perry, second from left, and his wife, Jackie Hill Perry, a Christian rapper and podcaster, third from left, attend service at 2819 Church on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More She is an admired speaker who is working towards her seminary degree and wrote a book about leaving behind same-sex relationships. She and husband Preston Perry, 39, started podcasting in 2019. Followers already resonated with Perrys theological debates and story of growing up around poverty and violence before finding faith and becoming a Christian evangelist. God calls us to ruffle feathers sometimes, to speak to culture, Perry said.In a recent episode, the Perrys urged listeners to be honest with God about struggling to trust him. Through focused prayer, obedience and Bible reading, God brings lasting peace, answers and growth during hard circumstances, they say, but this requires more than quick fixes like scrolling and sex.At just 22, Bryce Crawford teaches Bible chapters on his self-named podcast and posts videos of himself talking to people about Christianity at Pride parades, the Burning Man counter-culture festival and a satanic temple. In this handout photo provided by Divij Vaswani, Christian podcaster, Bryce Crawford, speaks to followers At Lyrical Theater, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (Divij Vaswani via AP) In this handout photo provided by Divij Vaswani, Christian podcaster, Bryce Crawford, speaks to followers At Lyrical Theater, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (Divij Vaswani via AP) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Rather than shout repent, Crawfords street evangelism aims to change minds through kindness. His followers say theyre attracted by his empathetic yet bold demeanor while delivering talking points against lifestyles such as same-sex marriage.My issue with repent or burn in hell is that people get frustrated because they dont know why youre telling them that, said Crawford, who describes being severely anxious and bitter toward God until God healed him at a Waffle House. Our tactics have been one-on-one conversations, calmly listening, asking questions because we care about them, and in that explaining our worldview.The challenges of online ChristianityThese influencers acknowledge that online Christianity has its challenges.A hyperfocus on online drama and Christianitys more esoteric beliefs can miss the basics, such as love and Christs sacrifice, Hill Perry said. She worries that simply talking about gentleness or respect or kindness or patience is gonna be boring to people.And the deep political and cultural rifts among Christians emerge online too.For example, Halili and Reitsma got pushback for taking the opportunity to pray at a pre-inauguration rally for President Donald Trump. The Perrys have been criticized by conservatives for talking about police brutality and racial injustice, and liberals for expressing opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion.Some followers say these influencers provide a welcome alternative to the buttoned-up pastors they grew up with who spoke of God as a faraway deity that would reject them for breaking too many rules.I really needed someone who was a younger Black female portraying something that wasnt super traditional, said Olivia Singleton, 24. Shes involved with her church and likes her pastor, but feels like these influencers are like one of the girls walking out the faith with you.___Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. ___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. CHARLOTTE KRAMON Kramon covers government and politics from Atlanta. She is a Report for America corps member. twitter mailto