Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, recently told Fox News that he believes the “lie of socialism” is one of the main reasons for a resurgence in church attendance among Millennials and Gen Z.
Millennial is the term used to describe the generation of those born between 1981-1996 and Gen Z describes those born between 1997-2012.
Fox News’ Kevin Corke asked Graham what he believes is motivating Millennials to turn back to faith and church.
RELATED: New Barna Data: Young Adults Lead a Resurgence in Church Attendance
“I think it’s socialism,” Graham answered without hesitation. “I think Gen Z and Millennials have been fed the lie of socialism, and socialism is basically anti-God.” Graham believes that younger generations have “been turned off by” the idea of socialism, and “they’re asking themselves—there’s got to be something more.”
“And so yes, they’re going to church, but Bible sales are up, so they’re buying Bibles. They’re reading for themselves,” said Graham. “They’re going to church.”
Graham also believes that the assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) cofounder Charlie Kirk has sparked the return to faith. “The man supposedly who killed him said that too many people were listening to Charlie Kirk, and he wanted to shut him up,” said Graham. “Well, I think that just increased the appetite even more for this generation.”
This increase was evident during Kirk’s memorial service, Graham argued. “They tuned in to his memorial service. 100,000 were there present. And they say 100 million were watching—I was one of those watching on TV—but I think people are wanting to know the truth,” said Graham. “And that’s the thing. Charlie was teaching truth. And I think people want to know the truth.”
“They’ve listened to lies and lies and lies from their university professors and those coming out of the Department of Education. I think they’re wanting to know the truth. So I think that’s why we see these surges and I’m glad to see this,” concluded Graham.
Earlier this year, Barna Group released new research, which found that “Millennials and Gen Z Christians are attending church more frequently than before and much more often than are older generations.”
.@FoxNews asked my thoughts about a resurgence in church attendance and interest in the Bible. I think Gen Z and Millennials have been fed the lie of anti-God socialism and they are looking for truth. pic.twitter.com/jDsTikX8Ky
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) December 29, 2025
