This short and easily readable book (less than 150 pages of content) was published just three weeks ago. The author, Dr. Billy Wilson, is the current president of Oral Roberts University and has a long history working with young people. The book caught my eye for multiple reasons: I have a long-time interest in generational theory and dynamics, I have “Gen Z” children (defined as those born between 1997 and 2012), I have led church youth from this generation, and I have recently begun again to build more relationships with several young people from this generation.
Dr. Wilson writes this book both to offer hope and a vision of greatness for Generation Z as well as to highlight ways this generation needs to grow. It is addressed both to those who interact with “Gen Zers” and to the members of Gen Z themselves, to encourage and challenge to live up to their potential in this stormy time. He begins with a broad overview of this generation. They are born into a stormy time of turmoil (terrorism, economic and ecological stress, school violence, racial violence, natural disasters, pandemics, and even more to come). They are shaped by technology and culture in unique ways. He details some of their particular general traits, especially in contrast with the “Millennials” or “Gen Y” that came before them. He believes Gen Z is poised at a unique point in history as one of the most pivotal generations of all time. He writes, “Spiritual history is going to be made because Generation Z is born for the storm!”1
Then, chapter by chapter, Dr. Wilson covers some of the unique strengths and challenges of this generation in the context of this critical time in history. Perhaps for dramatic effect, Wilson illustrates each chapter primarily using Bible characters whose names begin with “Z.” These include Ezekiel (“Zeke”), Zaphenath-Paneah, Zadok, Zechariah, Zerubbabel, Zephaniah, Zacchaeus, Zipporah, and Zeruiah. He does not limit himself to these characters alone, citing other great Bible characters as well as historical figures such as Colonel Sanders, John Wesley, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Winston Churchill. He shows how these characters exhibit the traits that Generation Z at times exhibits and at other times desperately seeks: purpose, identity, worship, authenticity, hope, integrity, commitment, and influence.
This book is a great encouraging read for its target audience. It is not a deep, scholarly book with detailed analysis on Generation Z; for that, consult some of its sources or other books. But it is a great starting point and would make an excellent gift for any aspiring Gen Z leaders or those who are helping to raise them up to take their place in history. One of my favorite quotes in the book happens to come from Nick Hall’s endorsement in the foreword: “…take a risk on this generation. You won’t regret it.”2
- Billy Wilson, Generation Z: Born for the Storm (Forefront Books: 2021), p. 28.
- Wilson, Generation Z, p. 10.
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