David Wilson is an APAC-based travel and tech specialist whose experience in journalism spans two decades. His stories have run everywhere from the South China Morning Post to Slate and The New York Times. In his spare time, he does strength training and hangs out with cats.

Gary Bouma is the UNESCO Chair in Intercultural and Interreligious Relations – Asia Pacific, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Monash University, Australian node of the Religion and Diversity Project at the University of Ottawa, Acting Director of the Global Terrorism Research Centre, and Associate Priest in the Anglican Parish of St John’s East Malvern. He is also President of the Australian Association for the Study of Religions.

Gen Z (born 1997-2010)

Australia

Citizenship

'The Faith and Belief in Australia Report', McCrindle (2017)3. ‘Hillsong Church Annual Report 2017’, Hillsong Church (2017)4. ‘Where is Justin Bieber’s Hillsong Church, who is pastor Carl Lentz and which celebrities have attended services?’ the Sun (October 2017)5. ‘Pastors Hipsters And Preaching In Instagram’, the Siver Times (October 2018)6. ‘Inside Hillsong, the Church of Choice for Justin Bieber and Kevin Durant’, GQ (December 2015)7. ‘11 Things To Know About Hillsong Church’, Cosmopolitan (July 2018)8. ‘Inside the Hillsong Church's money-making machine’, Sydney Morning Herald (November 2015)9. ‘Hillsong church Sydney: What's it really like?’, News.com.au (May 2015)10. 'Hillsong: the evangelical megachurch that helped save Justin Bieber’s soul — and image’, Vox (October 2018)11. Interview with Gary Bouma conducted by author12. 'A Vatican-blessed app is Pokémon Go for Saints', Quartz (October 2018)13. Internet Could Trigger ‘religious revolution’ as big as birth of Christianity – Lord Sacks, The Daily Telegraph (March 2016)14. ‘IS THE INTERNET ACTUALLY AIDING RELIGION?’, Canvas8 (May 2014)15. 'Gymshark: influencer-backed fashion for athletes', Canvas8

‘Hillsong Church Annual Report 2017’, Hillsong Church

‘Where is Justin Bieber’s Hillsong Church, who is pastor Carl Lentz and which celebrities have attended services?’ the Sun

‘Inside Hillsong, the Church of Choice for Justin Bieber and Kevin Durant’, GQ

‘11 Things To Know About Hillsong Church’, Cosmopolitan

‘Inside the Hillsong Church's money-making machine’, Sydney Morning Herald

‘Hillsong church Sydney: What's it really like?’, News.com.au

'Hillsong: the evangelical megachurch that helped save Justin Bieber’s soul — and image’, Vox

Interview with Gary Bouma conducted by author

'A Vatican-blessed app is Pokémon Go for Saints', Quartz

Internet Could Trigger ‘religious revolution’ as big as birth of Christianity – Lord Sacks, The Daily Telegraph

‘IS THE INTERNET ACTUALLY AIDING RELIGION?’, Canvas8

'Gymshark: influencer-backed fashion for athletes', Canvas8

With church attendance dropping around the globe, connecting with younger generations is as important as ever for religious organisations. Australia’s Hillsong Church has gained mass appeal with Gen Z by combining their interest in spirituality with digital influencers and celebrities.

Cultivate

Living Well

Hillsong: modern faith for Australia’s Gen Z

Religion turns to snapchat to reach digital natives

Gymshark: influencer-backed fashion for athletes

FanBread: turning influence into income

Why are people drawn to cult brands?