Actor David Henrie has observed a notable increase in young people attending church services, which he believes signifies a broader cultural shift towards faith among younger generations. Henrie, known for his role in Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place," suggests that this trend stems from a disillusionment with secular distractions and a search for something more profound.
"I'm seeing it everywhere. Every time I go to mass, there's more and more young people," Henrie told Fox News Digital. He shared his personal experience of finding the secular world empty after not actively practicing his faith, which he believes mirrors the sentiment of many young adults today.
Catholic leaders across the United States have reported significant growth in adult conversions. A recent Gallup poll indicated that 42% of young men now consider religion to be very important in their lives, a notable increase from the previous year. Henrie posits that these young individuals are drawn to forms of faith that emphasize tradition and history.
"You know, I'm Catholic, I always say like, they want 'Lord of the Rings Catholicism,'" Henrie explained. "You know, they want bells, smells, ancient expressions of the liturgy. That's where the young people are flocking right now. That's why you're seeing the Latin mass booming."
In addition to his observations on faith trends, Henrie is also releasing a faith-based children's book titled "Is God Bigger Than a Dragon?" Co-written with his wife, Maria, the book uses a question-and-answer format to explore spiritual concepts for children aged 2 to 8. The project was inspired by his son's inquisitive questions about God.
"Is God Bigger Than a Dragon?" pairs rhyming answers with Scripture references on each page, encouraging further study by parents. Henrie, a father of three and expecting his fourth child, emphasized the importance of nurturing faith from an early age. He hopes the book will help children develop a greater understanding of God's love and power.
The book is scheduled for release on November 10.