The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) launched a new podcast series on Thursday, May 7, aimed at helping the global church understand and engage Generation Z.
The four-part mini-series, titled Gen Z Insights, features voices from more than a dozen countries, including Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Bolivia. It explores how Christian leaders can engage a generation that makes up about 25% of the world’s population and is often described as spiritually open.
“There’s been much debate about the rumblings of revival among Gen Z in the West, and this podcast series amplifies global voices in that critical ministry conversation,” said Annette Arulrajah, associate general secretary of IFES and host of the English-language version of the series.
“Come and listen in on what God is doing among spiritually hungry university students around the world and be inspired, challenged and propelled to engage, disciple and empower this influential new generation.”
The podcast builds on findings from a December 2025 report, Gen Z Insights for Global Student Ministry, published by IFES.
Each episode focuses on one of four defining traits of Gen Z: digital immersion, cultural awareness, pursuit of well-being and spiritual openness.
Because most Gen Zers live in the Majority World, IFES designed the series to move beyond Western perspectives. Each episode pairs an IFES staff member with a Gen Z student or recent graduate to provide a grassroots view of student ministry. The series also features guest speakers from the broader Christian landscape, including author and Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God host Justin Brierley and Jason Watson, host of the Lausanne Movement podcast.
The series addresses topics such as how to distinguish biblical authority from personal preference in an age of fluid spirituality, and how to move students from digital information overload to authentic encounters with Jesus. Other episodes focus on student mental health and the balance between self-care and spiritual growth.
The first episodes are available in English, French and Spanish on major podcast platforms and on the IFES Gen Z Insights webpage. IFES will release additional English episodes weekly.
The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students is a global network of student-led Christian movements present in nearly every country. It works to build communities of disciples transformed by the gospel.
