A historic Southern Baptist congregation in the heart of Washington, D.C. has witnessed an extraordinary transformation over the past seven years, reporting a staggering 2000% increase in attendance that has caught the attention of religious observers nationwide. The King's Church, situated just blocks from the U.S. Capitol, has grown from a modest gathering of 30 people in 2018 to a thriving community of nearly 650 members in 2025, with church leaders pointing to a remarkable resurgence of faith among Generation Z and millennials as the primary catalyst for this unprecedented expansion.
The church's journey began with humble origins and considerable challenges. Founded in 2018 by a team including Pastor Ben Palka, the congregation struggled through its initial years, maintaining small numbers and fighting for stability in the competitive religious landscape of the nation's capital. "We just had a lot of grit, a lot of God's grace the first couple of years to endure the storm," Palka reflected on those early days. The church's leadership persevered through what many church planters describe as the difficult foundational period, where establishing a sustainable community often tests the resolve of even the most dedicated ministers.
The turning point arrived unexpectedly during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that proved devastating for many religious institutions but became a catalyst for growth for King's Church. While numerous congregations closed their doors and transitioned to virtual services, this D.C. church made the controversial decision to remain open. This choice, driven by conviction rather than convenience, resonated powerfully with people seeking physical community during isolation. "During COVID, we decided to stay open, and the Lord really blessed that time," Palka explained. "We grew. It felt like every month we doubled." The numbers support this remarkable claim: attendance jumped from 50 in 2019 to 150 in 2020, representing a threefold increase in the pandemic's first year alone.
This momentum didn't fade as the world returned to normal; rather, it accelerated. The church experienced consistent year-over-year growth that would be impressive for any organization, let alone a religious institution in increasingly secular times. Attendance figures continued their upward trajectory: 300 in 2021, 350 in 2022, 450 in 2023, 550 in 2024, and reaching 650 in 2025. This represents annual growth rates between 30% and 100%, figures that would be the envy of any startup or business venture.
What makes this growth particularly noteworthy is its demographic composition. Church leaders report that the surge has been overwhelmingly driven by young people, particularly those in their late teens through early thirties. "We saw an influx of young people, particularly in 2020, and that was like a snowball effect," Palka noted. This trend contradicts widespread narratives about younger generations abandoning organized religion. Instead, King's Church has become a magnet for millennials and Gen Zers actively seeking spiritual depth and community connection.
The phenomenon intensified following a tragic national event: the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the controversial founder of Turning Point USA, on September 10 at Utah Valley University. While shocking and polarizing, this event unexpectedly became another catalyst for spiritual seeking among young conservatives. Several pastors across the country reported similar spikes in attendance, but King's Church, located in the political epicenter of the nation, experienced a particularly pronounced effect.
Palka observed that in the weeks following Kirk's murder, the church saw a significant influx of young men specifically, many of whom were "looking for answers" and searching for "a voice to speak sense" during a time of political and social upheaval. These were individuals who may have previously engaged with politics as a primary identity but found themselves shaken by the violence and seeking something more profound.
Staff Pastor Wesley Welch shared a poignant story that illustrates this trend perfectly. He recalled one young man who had yet to find his identity in faith but had strongly identified with Kirk and the conservative values the TPUSA founder championed on college campuses. The assassination left him "really shaken," according to Welch. "He started coming to church and seeking the Lord, and this fall, we were able to baptize him, which was amazing," Welch recounted, highlighting the transformative journey from political identification to spiritual commitment.
Another staff pastor, Daniel Davis, offered insight into why Gen Z worship attendance might be increasing across various studies. He suggested that younger people have had to navigate unprecedented challenges—from pandemic isolation to political violence to economic uncertainty—creating a hunger for stability, meaning, and community that secular institutions have struggled to provide. The church, with its timeless message and tight-knit community, has filled that void for many.
The growth at King's Church reflects a broader, if underreported, trend of religious renewal among younger Americans. While headlines often focus on the "nones"—those who claim no religious affiliation—there's a parallel story of young people discovering or rediscovering faith with fresh intensity. These aren't necessarily individuals returning to childhood traditions out of nostalgia; rather, they're making conscious, adult decisions to embrace spirituality as a framework for understanding an increasingly chaotic world.
The church's location near the U.S. Capitol may also contribute to its appeal. In a city where power, politics, and policy dominate conversations, King's Church offers an alternative center of gravity—one rooted in eternal rather than electoral concerns. For young professionals and students drawn to Washington by ambition, the church provides a space to question, reflect, and find purpose beyond career advancement.
The leadership structure of King's Church, with three staff pastors sharing responsibilities, may also resonate with younger generations who value collaborative, less hierarchical models of organization. This approach, combined with contemporary worship and relevant teaching, creates an environment that feels both authentically Christian and culturally engaged.
As King's Church looks toward the future, the challenge will be maintaining its intimate community feel while continuing to grow. Many congregations that experience rapid expansion struggle with discipleship depth, ensuring that new attendees become integrated, committed members rather than mere spectators. However, the church's track record of baptizing new believers and seeing "dozens and dozens of people...coming to faith in Christ every year" suggests they're successfully navigating this challenge.
The story of King's Church offers a counter-narrative to declinist accounts of American religion. It demonstrates that when churches offer clear conviction, genuine community, and remain open to those seeking answers—especially during times of cultural crisis—they can still experience remarkable growth. The combination of principled leadership during COVID-19, responsiveness to community trauma, and authentic engagement with young people's questions has created a blueprint that other congregations may seek to emulate.
In an era where many institutions struggle to connect with younger generations, King's Church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith communities that meet people where they are while calling them to something greater. The 2000% growth isn't just a statistic—it's a story of individual lives transformed, community rebuilt, and hope rediscovered in the nation's capital.