As I have begun exploring how to reach Gen Z through art and culture, I have found that people struggle to conceptualize the mission.

   I say, “If we want to reach Gen Z, we have to find new pathways to do it.”

   People answer, “Oh yes, I totally agree.”

   However, when I explain that “we have to do it through art and culture”—that is when I start to lose them.

   I can understand the hesitation; I constantly question the validity of this claim myself. It feels like a stretch to say that the arts can even come close to doing what international missions work has done. Not only that, but the arts, being a creative endeavor, have the appearance of play rather than work. It is not providing anyone food or drink or clothing or the Bible, so it must not be as important as the work of bush pilots in Africa.

   Nothing against bush pilots in Africa. In my opinion, they are some of the coolest people on the planet.

   But what about the provision of these supplies? Where did the Bibles come from? Whose second-hand clothes are the needy wearing? Who is paying for the food and water sent to desolate places?

   While the arts do not directly provide basic needs, let us think a bit more multi-dimensional. Care for the needy originates from a healthy, God-fearing people. Will their needs continue to be met if our culture abandons its roots in the Gospel? First and foremost, we need to speak the Truth of Christ into our culture, equipping its people to be His hands and feet. We must touch a broken generation with the Love of God.

   Why art?

   Because it is the language of my generation.

   I have a friend who was called to do missions in China. He was stationed there with an organization that would put him through missionary schooling for a couple years. The first thing they had him do: learn Chinese. For six months, he did nothing but study Chinese for eight hours every day. I probably would have gotten sick of that sort of regiment, but he stuck with it, and he is fluent in Chinese.

   Why did he spend so much time learning Chinese? We all know the obvious answer: if you want to reach a people group, learn their language. Learn how they communicate. Learn how they express themselves. It would have been ineffective and dangerous for my friend to learn some Chinese halfheartedly, disregarding cultural context and nuances. If you go out on the mission field boldly swinging the Sword of the Spirit, but you lack the tact necessary to understand and be understood, it could result in the persecution of many Christians in a place like China.

   However, since he learned Chinese properly, he was enabled to reach people—individuals. He could connect with peoples’ hearts in new ways. His new language was not just a technical tool, but a spiritual one, allowing him access to souls.

   “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

   Know the language of your outreach. It will enable you to touch broken hearts.

   The American church is struggling to engage with people my age. Could it be that they are not communicating with tact? Could it be that they do not know the language of Gen Z?

   I want to treat my generation like any other mission field would be treated: learn the language. As it happens, Gen Z speaks the language of art better than the language of Christianity. Fewer members of Gen Z than any other generation attend church; they also watch more YouTube than any other generation. They are captivated by creativity and beauty, things the American church is not communicating.

   Someone is going to speak Gen Z’s cultural language. Who is it going to be? Are we going to allow secular nihilism to continue dominating their conversation, or are we going to tactfully point them toward higher Truth?

   I am seeking out environments where we can do two things: learn the language of artists and creativity; and give them the Truth in such creative ways as will tip the culture in the direction of Christ’s love. I believe God is overseeing this mission, and I trust Him every step of the way.

   Thank you so much for your prayers as we step out in this new direction!