TROY A. MILLER: America’s New Appetite For Faith: Christian Media Is Trending

America is a country of paradox.

On any given weekend, thousands line the beaches of California for mass baptisms, even as courtrooms fill with cases challenging religious liberty.

Record numbers of young men are returning to church. Bible sales are booming. Celebrities are openly thanking Jesus on national television while teachers are pressured to keep faith out of classrooms and historians seek to rewrite the nation’s founding as irredeemably flawed.

The tale of two worldviews—clashing daily in the national conversation.

Yet America is not drifting further into a post-Christian future; we are witnessing signs of spiritual return.

Consider the cultural signs: Christian music topping the Billboard charts, younger generations driving a resurgence of faith in Jesus, “Songs of Faith” celebrated on mainstream TV, and public expressions of Christian belief by celebrities like golfer Scottie Scheffler.

The evidence is everywhere—faith stepping forward. (RELATED: ‘Who’s Going To Bible Study?’: Most Outgoing Player In NFL Pulls Off Athletic Feat To Get Teammates Into The Faith)

And it’s not just anecdotal. A landmark study conducted by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) and the Barna Group shows that six in 10 Americans use Christian media, with half using at least one Christian media source weekly. Faith-driven content is anything but fringe—it is embedded in the daily lives of millions.

But not everyone is cheering. Mainstream media coverage doesn’t just report on faith—it often ridicules and distorts it. Gwen Stefani faced swift criticism after reposting an interview on faith, not for her personal beliefs, but for how others interpreted them as aligning her with a wider Christian movement. A simple prayer at the 50-yard line became a “threat to democracy” in the press, proof of a cultural narrative that frames believers as dangerous rather than devoted.

The question is not whether faith will shape the next chapter of our national life—but whose faith, and whose narrative, will prevail.

In this environment, the role of Christian communicators could not be more vital. Mainstream outlets double down on messaging that many Americans are simply tired of hearing—one that disparages faith and fuels division. We the people are growing weary of that caricature, and the turn toward Christian media shows many are searching for a message that uplifts rather than disparages.

Even as America’s values unfold in split screen, the Gospel refuses to fade. The fall of Christianity in America is not just slowing; it is beginning to reverse, stabilizing at 62% after decades of decline. Trust in the church is ticking upward for the first time in years.

The renewal is reshaping public life. In the 2024 election cycle, faith leaders didn’t just comment; they led. NRB’s study with Barna reports sermons heard in church as the top source for voting decisions, cited by 58% of Christian media users.

Americans are begging faith to enter public life.

Still, a myth lingers: faith should stay private—barred from public policy and cultural discourse.

The data proves otherwise.

Seventy‑three percent say religious nonprofits should speak on issues that matter—majorities even among the unchurched (63%) and non‑Christians (61%). Two‑thirds want faith leaders to speak publicly on politics; nearly half wish they’d do it more.

While social media has allowed Christian communicators to amplify the Gospel message, algorithms increasingly trap people inside ideological silos, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives and discouraging civil debate.

That leaves Christian communicators with opportunity—and obligation.

How do we steward influence well? How do we break into the mainstream conversation instead of just preaching to the choir? How do we reach those who most need clarity and hope?

While mainstream media mocks and minimizes it, spiritual hunger is unmistakably growing.

The appetite for faith in public life is stronger than many imagine—stronger, even, than the headlines would ever acknowledge.

As America approaches her milestone birthday, remember that we can’t rewrite history, but we can learn from it—and build better.

The microphone is already in the hands of Christian communicators—broadcasters, pastors, writers, and digital creators—whose voices are shaping the conversation today that will define our nation’s tomorrow.

The task is clear: steward this influence with courage and conviction. Defend the freedom to speak without fear and without restriction. Offer the only Truth sturdy enough to anchor a nation searching for meaning.

The public isn’t shutting faith out but throwing the door wide open—even as others rush to slam it closed. Which story prevails hinges on how boldly and faithfully Christian communicators steward their voice.

Troy Miller is a senior executive with more than 30 years of management and business experience. Miller has served as president & CEO of National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) since July 2022.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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