Faith, Trap Gospel, and the Fight Against Teen Takeovers
By Christopher Hood
On any given Sunday on the South Side of Chicago, you might mistake the sounds coming from New St. Paul Church of God in Christ for a rap concert. But what you’re hearing is Trap Worship—gospel meets 808s, where faith speaks the language of today’s youth. For many, it’s not just a service; it’s a way of life. It’s survival.
“It’s where I reset,” said 18-year-old Terron Sain. “It’s not pressure—it’s peace.”
His younger sister, 15-year-old Tamaya Sain, agrees. “I didn’t like church growing up. But now? It feels like home—my second family.”
That connection is increasingly rare. A Barna Group study shows that only 16% of Gen Z attend church weekly, while 37% never attend at all. Yet, more than 70% say they still believe in God or consider themselves spiritual. The issue isn’t belief—it’s relevance.
“Church doesn’t always feel real,” one teen said. “It feels like rules, not relationships.”
Chicago is also grappling with another youth crisis. A wave of so-called “teen takeovers”—large unsupervised gatherings organized on social media—have led to street fights, vandalism, and citywide safety concerns. On June 18, 2025, the Chicago City Council approved a controversial policy allowing police to impose “snap curfews” with just 30 minutes’ notice. The vote passed 27–22.
Mayor Brandon Johnson immediately pledged to veto the measure, arguing it unfairly targets Black and Latino youth and fails to address root causes.
“I will not repeat the sins and failures of the past,” Johnson said, calling the law a “knee-jerk reaction” that criminalizes poverty instead of providing solutions.
The bigger question remains: Where are Chicago’s youth supposed to go?
“Malls are closed. Parks are patrolled. And when you tell us to stay off the streets but don’t give us somewhere else to go—what are we supposed to do?” asked one 17-year-old.
Pastor Rory C. Hood of New St. Paul COGIC believes the solution isn’t punishment—it’s participation.
“We give youth the mic,” said Hood. “They lead the service every fifth Sunday. We don’t just preach—we prepare them. The Word of God is their foundation.”
Rather than judging from the pulpit, Hood’s church listens from the pews. He calls it discipleship through access—mentorship, media ministry, music, and real talk.
Churches across the city are starting to follow suit. From GRIP Outreach for Youth to Iskali to Streetlights, faith-based organizations are utilizing creativity, cultural connection, and consistency to reach youth who have been overlooked by traditional outreach efforts.
Many Gen Z teens don’t want to be told what to believe. They want to explore why it matters. For youth like Tamaya, that shift is personal.
“Some people think the Bible is just another book,” she said. “But when you read it with people who care—it becomes your story.”
Others point out how faith gives them boundaries in a city with few.
“If I didn’t come to church,” said one teen, “I’d think anything I do is okay. Church reminds me what God really wants for my life.”
The question isn’t whether youth still need church. They do. The deeper question is: Can the church evolve fast enough to need youth?
Because when young people feel seen, valued, and included—they show up. When they hear their voice in the sermon, their story in the scripture, and their struggle acknowledged from the stage—they come back.
But it starts with one simple truth: The church can’t just speak to the youth. It has to walk with them.
And if it does?
Chicago’s next revival won’t come from a headline.
It’ll come from a hashtag.
A heartbeat.
A hymn.
As city leaders debate law enforcement strategy and social services, faith institutions find themselves at a crossroads.
“We’re not just asking if young people need the church,” says journalist and media director Christopher Tru hood. “We’re asking if the church can evolve fast enough to need the youth.”
He continues, “Chicago’s next revival won’t come from a headline. It’ll come from a hashtag. A heartbeat. A harmony.”
At the heart of this movement is one question:
Can the church keep up with today’s youth—or will we lose them to tomorrow’s problems?