Even though America has seen a decline in the number of its white Christian population based on a recent survey, the same cannot be said of African-American Christians, who have consistently maintained their faith as far as their church attendance is concerned.
"A recent Pew Research Center survey found that Christians are losing their share of the US population, dropping to 71 percent in 2014, down from 78 percent in 2007, with young people leading the exodus. But historically black denominations have bucked that trend, holding on to a steady percent of members during that same period," Adelle M. Banks wrote for Religion News Service.
There are several reasons why some black churches are able to retain their members, said Banks, but mostly it's because the church has played a key and historic role in black life that has "fostered a continuing strong black Protestant identity."
"I think black churches have always been very pivotal in social movements and outreach," said Kelli Slater, 20, a Howard University student from Mississippi. "I think black churches do a whole lot more than religion."
On the other hand, Rev. David Daniels III, a church history professor at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, noted that not all black churches are successful in holding onto its younger members, although there are some black megachurches that manage to draw in the younger crowds.
"In some cities, there are some congregations, often with younger pastors, either millennials or Gen-Xers, who've been able to develop ministries that are able to attract in their cohort group," he said.
Daniels' sentiment is echoed by Rev. Jerry Young, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, who added: "There are some of our churches that are doing extraordinarily well in terms of captivating and being able to minister to young people, and then there are a number of our churches that also are suffering."
For his part, Rev. Howard-John Wesley, 43, who has been pastor since 2008 of Alfred Street Baptist Church, revealed that attendance in his church has grown from 2,300 to 7,100 in the past seven years. He said the primary reason why they are attracting more members is because they tailor-fit their services to the needs of their attendees. They have the monthly "Come As You Are" Wednesday night service for millenials and the "Hour of Power" summer Sunday services.
"We decided to be very concise with time," said Wesley. "The No. 1 thing people ask when they're invited to a church is 'What time do you get out?'"
