We live in a time of unprecedented connectedness.
Mass media, global economics, and especially the Internet have eroded cultural boundaries. Today, young people everywhere are strikingly similar, making up a truly Global Youth Culture.
Present in every major city on the planet, the Global Youth Culture is made up of youth and young adults (with Steiger’s primary focus being ages 18–29) who are influenced by similar voices.
They’ve grown up in a world dominated by video games, pornography, and social media. They've been taught that there is no absolute truth and therefore no universal morality—everyone is free to decide for themselves what’s right and wrong. An “anything goes” mindset now shapes how many view sexuality.
They are skeptical of institutional religion and do not share the same assumptions about truth and morality as previous generations. But that doesn’t mean they’re uninterested in spiritual things. In fact, many are spiritually hungry—longing for truth, authentic community, and a solid identity in the midst of a shifting world.
Unfortunately, they’re told that happiness is found within: just follow your dreams, don’t let anyone tell you who you are or what you want, and above all, take care of yourself. Yet paradoxically, this generation is deeply passionate about justice. They care about the oppressed and marginalized. They want their lives to make a difference in the world.
Still, they spend hours each day in virtual worlds, trying to live up to the carefully curated lives of pop stars and internet influencers. This is fueling an epidemic of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and suicide.
Sadly, this generation is not looking to the Church for answers. Many see it as irrelevant—some are apathetic, cynical, or even hostile to the Gospel.
These are our friends, our sons and daughters.
So how do we communicate the Gospel to this global generation? How can we show them the love of Jesus in a language they will understand?
