Faith is actively saturating pop culture right now through artists willing to take a stand for what is good and true. While the secular world currently gives young people “cheap” content, authentic faith offers something different– depth, reason, genuine connection–exactly what this generation is desperately yearning for. Recent trends show Gen Z becoming a more religious generation, alongside an increased openness to faith. Could pop culture have anything to do with this?
Meet Forrest Frank. Forrest is unique compared to other Christian artists. He says he won’t accept any awards, which shows a humility in who he is truly creating and performing for–the Lord. He is also unafraid to confront artists Biblically and encourage them to change their life, like Cory Asbury who is now touring with him. The world needs different, and Forrest is bringing that, all while pointing people toward Christ.
This shift has also created cross-genre collaborations. You can tell that Forrest is intentional with whom he collaborates with. This again shows his authenticity in Christ, that the world and mostly younger generations are searching for. We have seen him partner with artists such as Thomas Rhett, Tori Kelly, JVKE, Connor Price and The Figs who are Christians but are in the secular artist realm.
I remember around 2019, when Lauren Daigle topped charts on both the Christian and Secular sides. Then Kanye, a secular artist, bridged the gap and released his Jesus Is King album in 2019, which topped charts as well. Since then, culture has not witnessed Christian artists top the secular charts until Brandon Lake and Forrest Frank. Songs like Brandon Lake’s “Hardfought Hallelujah” with JellyRoll in 2024 and Forrest with “Your Ways Better” in 2025 reached the Bubbling under of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2026 with “Jesus is Alive”.
Currently in 2026, Forrest Frank’s Jesus Generation tour is ranking as one of the top tours of the year—selling out stadiums. I went to his Portland tour at the Moda Center, and it was filled to the rafters full of 18,000 people worshipping Jesus in a city so full of darkness. Forrest was bringing the light—the light this city and people crave. The crowd ranged from young to old, but the young crowd was so captured by it—they filled the pit where Forrest sang. On this tour Forrest always picks one young kid to rap with him on “God is Good” and the littles (boy or girl) blow it out of the water.
Young people in Gen Z are craving this authenticity from not only the lyrics, but the singer themselves. Forrest puts his faith and trust in God entirely and it shows–his posture of humility even on stage as he sings draws people in, and ultimately draws them to Christ. The Lord is preeminent in his life. In one of his songs he mentions “I just turned a milli’ down to be home with my son” (song Alter).
On this tour, Tori Kelly opened for Forrest. It struck me as odd that a three-time Grammy winner and popular secular voice actor is now opening for a Christian artist, potentially showing him platforming her. However, you could tell most people came for Forrest: fans bought merchandise while she played, rushing to their seats the moment he came on.
At the end, he brought Cory Asbury out for worship—Forrest worshiped along Cory, circling back to what the beginning of his set stated: “Lord send us to go and tell everyone that Jesus Christ is Lord. The church is rising up for such a time as this…We’re the Generation, The Jesus Generation.” I saw many stories and posts on social media after where many said this was not a concert. Pastor Josh Howerton stated “It’s not a concert. It’s a move of God packaged as a concert.” I can say after attending both of his tours that this second one was even more popular than the first.
Pastor Josh also said “ (My kids sitting there and looking up) to this guy they think is the coolest guy in the world. What’s he doing? Honoring parents, talking about how great kids are, glory up, hands up, tears down in worship, all the things…” This is all Biblical and the world is craving The Truth now.
The younger generation is no longer satisfied with what the “cheap” secular world offers; they are actively turning toward the genuine depth found in faith. The world craves simplicity because the culture we are living in now is so complex. And what Forrest’s music offers—simple, catchy, and truthful lyrics that bring clarity and peace—actually points towards the Truth. Even if not everyone catches it, they will be led to Jesus. He actively lives out Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Scrolling social media alone during his “Jesus Generation” tour shows that his rising popularity reveals a deeper desire toward the light of the Gospel. Forrest provides not perfection, but authenticity pointing to the Creator.
*CaseyJane Kuest is a Young Women for America (YWA) Fellow in Oregon.
