Digital Disciples: Tech Fuels Church Growth and Record Generosity

REDMOND, WA – January 27, 2026 – A new report reveals a powerful resurgence within American faith communities, where the strategic adoption of technology is fueling record levels of engagement and financial generosity. Pushpay, a leading provider of engagement solutions for churches, announced that its network of over 14,000 customers experienced double-digit growth in community participation and giving throughout 2025, culminating in over $1 billion in donations during December alone.

The findings suggest a pivotal shift, indicating that churches embracing digital tools to foster deeper connections are not just surviving but thriving. This digital renaissance is attracting younger generations and unlocking new, sophisticated forms of philanthropy, painting a vibrant picture of the modern church.

The Connection-Generosity Flywheel

At the heart of the 2025 data is a clear correlation: enhanced community connection directly translates to increased generosity. The report shows that when churches leveraged technology to make engagement seamless, participation soared. Group involvement surged by an average of 22% year-over-year, while volunteering increased by 19%.

This wasn't just about filling seats; it was about building stronger bonds. Pushpay's platform facilitated 1.7 million moments of connection each week, from 21 million child check-ins to 24.4 million group engagements over the year. The result was a healthier, more active community that was also more willing to give. The total number of financial gifts grew by more than 5%, and the volume of recurring giving—a key indicator of financial stability—climbed by 11%.

"The data tells a powerful story: churches that prioritize authentic connection, and make it easy for people to engage, are thriving," said Kenny Wyatt, CEO of Pushpay. "Every percentage point reflects real people choosing to engage, serve, and give to their church."

This sentiment is echoed at the local level. Beth Dandino, Associate Director of Operations at Zeal Church, noted the challenge of maintaining a small-church feel during exponential growth. "With Pushpay, we’re able to follow up with those people a lot better," she said. "People use the app each week for sermon notes, event registration, and opportunities to get connected into the community a lot faster. Pushpay has been a huge godsend.”

From Pews to Pixels: Gen Z Leads a Surprising Shift

Perhaps the most significant trend underpinning this growth is a historic demographic reversal. Corroborating research from the Barna Group, cited in the report, reveals that Gen Z has emerged as the most frequent church attenders, averaging 1.9 visits per month. This surpasses all older demographics and signals a renewed spiritual curiosity among younger Americans. Barna's data also shows a 12-percentage-point rise between 2022 and 2025 in Americans who report a personal commitment to Jesus.

This digitally native generation's engagement is intrinsically linked to the tools they use daily. The 5% increase in mobile app sessions per customer suggests that apps are becoming the new digital narthex—a central hub for church life. Livestreaming has also proven to be a powerful complement to, not a replacement for, in-person worship. Resi, Pushpay's streaming solution, delivered over 850,000 events to 40 million unique viewers in 2025. This digital front door allowed churches to extend their reach globally, with over 1 billion minutes of content consumed.

While experts note that Gen Z can be cautious about organized religion, the data suggests that churches using technology to offer authentic and accessible pathways for connection are successfully bridging that gap, meeting young people where they are.

The New Tithe: Crypto and Stocks Enter the Offering Plate

The evolution of generosity was another major theme of 2025, with non-cash donations surging in popularity. Through a partnership with Engiven, a platform specializing in non-cash assets, churches on Pushpay's platform saw a dramatic increase in gifts of cryptocurrency and stock.

The number of crypto gifts increased by a staggering 128%, with the average donation climbing 21% to $3,153. Stock donations saw a similar trend, with a 127% year-over-year increase in the number of gifts processed. The average stock gift was a substantial $11,930, highlighting a growing trend of donors using appreciated assets for philanthropy.

This shift is driven by both donor sophistication and significant tax advantages. By donating appreciated assets directly, donors can often avoid capital gains taxes while claiming a deduction for the asset's full market value. This trend aligns with the broader non-profit sector, which has seen explosive growth in crypto philanthropy.

"Non-cash giving through Engiven saw substantial growth in 2025, with the number of stock and cryptocurrency donations reaching all-time highs on our platform,” said James Lawrence, Founder and CEO at Engiven. “Our continued partnership with Pushpay once again set a new benchmark for donor and ministry engagement."

A Season of Unprecedented Generosity

The culmination of this increased engagement was most apparent during the year-end giving season. Churches using Pushpay received over $1 billion in December alone, providing crucial resources for ministry and community outreach. The average gift size in December was 53% higher than in other months.

This generosity peaked in the final days of the year, with the average gift size from December 29-31 surging to 240% of the daily average. This influx of resources is critical for churches planning for the year ahead. The growth is not just a year-end phenomenon; the platform captured 1.8 million first-time givers in 2025, demonstrating an expanding base of support.

This financial health in the church sector appears to be outpacing other non-profits. According to data from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), cash giving to churches rebounded in 2024 and continued its momentum into 2025, marking the second consecutive year that church giving growth has been stronger than that of other non-profit organizations.

Looking forward, the trends of 2025 point to a future where technology is inextricably woven into the fabric of faith communities. "Over the past five years, Pushpay has facilitated over $37 billion in generosity for the local Church, which results in millions of lives being transformed," Wyatt added. As churches continue to innovate, the synergy between digital tools, authentic community, and diverse forms of generosity appears poised to define a new era of growth and impact.