‘God Is Moving’: Elevation Rhythm Sees Hunger for Christ Among Gen Z
The group that has led tens of thousands of students on college campuses in musical worship says Gen Z has a deep hunger for God and is longing for what is authentic and real in a world of confusion.
The music collective Elevation Rhythm has been a key part of the Unite US college movement, helping lead music at gatherings that draw thousands of students on campuses nationwide. At the University of Tennessee on Sept. 30, 8,000 gathered for worship, and 500 college students made decisions for Christ. At the University of Oklahoma on Sept. 9, some 9,000 students filled the arena.
“It's been absolutely just inspiring to be a part of what God is doing throughout all the colleges and campuses all over the U.S.,” Elevation Rhythm’s Davide Mutendji told Crosswalk Headlines. “It was a little scary for us when we first started, because we did not know what to expect, but to see in whatever arena, whatever building we're at – to see thousands of students show up and to see God move in ways that are so palatable for what they're experiencing in their lives has just been incredible.”
Elevation Rhythm was already well-known within the Christian music genre before it began traveling with Unite US, receiving three Dove Award nominations this year, including Song of the Year (Goodbye Yesterday), Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (Goodbye Yesterday), and Worship Recorded Song of the Year (At the Altar).
It led its first headlining tour in August and September and is on the road again through Oct. 30.
Asked if he would describe the movement on college campuses as a revival, Mutendji declined to use labels.
“I think you call it ‘God is moving.’ I think sometimes people want to label something before it's actually like, even done,” Mutendji said. “I think we let God decide what it is. And it's just really cool to say that we're a part of something special happening in the U.S.”
Photo Credit: Dove Awards
An April Barna report found that the percentage of Gen Z men who identify as committed to Jesus jumped from 52 percent in 2019 to 67 percent in 2025, while the share of Gen Z women rose from 54 percent to 61 percent. A separate Barna study released in September revealed that Gen Z now attends church nearly twice a month on average—more often than any other age group.
“It's a hunger,” Mutendji said. “I think this generation is tired of playing like Christians. I think they're going: Hey, we want to experience God for ourselves, and we can see that we need Him in a way that is special and unique to what they're going through.
“And that's been the special thing is that they're not pretending to rock up for a name or for a preacher or for a band. They're going: Hey, it doesn't matter who is on that stage, because we know if Jesus is there, we're showing up.”
Photo Credit: Unite US
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published October 14, 2025.
