Jack Graham on Why Young People Crave Truth and How the Church Can Help
Texas pastor Jack Graham of the over 45,000-member Prestonwood Baptist Church noted an increase of young people hungry for spiritual truth. “There’s a renewed interest in the pure Gospel without a lot of the trappings and trends,” Graham told The Christian Post. “There’s a desire for authenticity among young adults right now.” He noted that he has personally seen that hunger in his own family (his grandson is a university student) and in his church’s student ministries.
“We just see an incredible interest among young people today on worldview and establishing a biblical worldview,” he said. “A lot of church kids in the past grew up with pizza parties at youth group and never really got great truth. So we’re working really hard to give students more than church, to give them an experience of God’s Spirit, God’s Word, and the presence of Christ.”
Graham also shared that his new book, titled The Jesus Book, as well as his Bible in a Year podcast, which has been downloaded over 80 million times, has helped Christians engage the Scriptures more.
“It’s just simply the Bible,” he said of the podcast. “I give a little application and introduction to each passage, but it’s right through the Bible. And we’re seeing sparks of revival across the nation on university campuses. I’m actually very encouraged right now. I believe you’re going to see the Bible make a big comeback.”
Despite the increase of Christian influencers on social media, Graham warned that there is a risk of false gospels.
“There is a rise in women ministry leaders who use just enough scripture to make things seem biblical, but they’re not,” he said. “It’s really about relying on yourself, putting yourself first.”
The pastor stressed that reading the Bible and being in a Bible-centered church are essential to combating false teaching.
“There are a lot of pastors who, unfortunately, fall to sin,” Graham said. “Of all the professions, the ministry is one thing where your personal life — your character, your integrity — absolutely matters. It’s the one thing in ministry you can’t do without.”
He also gave both a word of caution and a word of hope for young men considering entering the ministry.
“Don’t start without character,” he said. “But also don’t get discouraged. Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/PowerPoint Ministries with Jack Graham
Originally published July 22, 2025.
