Students & Youth
- Ursula Kemp
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done...” —Psalm 78:4, NIV
Dear Praying Friends,
As another school year begins here in Columbus, we find ourselves at a unique and urgent crossroads. Our young people are facing enormous cultural, emotional, and academic pressures—but there is also tremendous hope. In fact, there may never have been a more important—and more opportune—time to pray for the youth of our city.
You may have seen the headlines: rising mental health struggles, post-pandemic learning loss, and overwhelming confusion about identity. But beneath the surface, something powerful is stirring. Recent national data confirms that Generation Z is the most spiritually open generation we’ve seen in decades. According to Barna, there’s been a significant rise in Gen Z's commitment to Jesus since 2019, and nearly half of young adults (ages 18–21) say they’re "extremely curious" about Jesus and the Bible.
Even among teenagers, spiritual openness remains surprisingly high—46% of Gen Z teens say they’re open to spiritual things, compared to just 28% of their young adult peers. It’s a reminder that God is still at work, calling hearts to Himself even in the most unlikely places—school cafeterias, classrooms, basketball courts, and after-school clubs.
Here in Columbus, we are watching God unite His people to respond. Ministries in our youth networks working together—intentionally and prayerfully—to serve our youth. They’re not just running programs; they’re issuing a call to the Church: "Could you give just one hour a week? Could you show up to tutor, mentor, or listen?"
Our August prayer guide focuses on the next generation and offers scripture-based prompts to help you pray in targeted, hope-filled ways. We invite you to join us in praying:
For a movement of discipleship and godly mentorship in every neighborhood.
For revival among Gen Z—a generation hungry for truth, purpose, and real answers.
For Columbus students to overcome the “COVID slide” and rise to their God-given potential, especially in critical areas like third-grade reading proficiency.
We know these prayers matter. And we know that when the Church lifts up the next generation in prayer, heaven responds. Let’s not underestimate what God can do through a praying people. He is stirring something new—and we have the privilege of joining Him.
With hope and expectation,
Shawna Shepherd and Ursula Kemp
