Disney Star David Henrie Sees Gen Z Flooding Churches

David Henrie knows what it's like to search for meaning in all the wrong places, and now he's watching an entire generation discover what he found: faith fills the emptiness that fame and worldly success can't.

The Catholic actor, beloved for playing Justin Russo on Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place," has noticed something unexpected during his church visits. "Every time I go to Mass, there's more and more young people," he told Fox News Digital.

The trend isn't just Henrie's observation. Catholic leaders nationwide are reporting sharp increases in adult converts. A recent Gallup poll found that 42% of young men now call religion "very important" in their lives, a 14 percentage point jump from the previous year.

Henrie believes he understands why. "I was one of those people who was not living a Christian life and then suddenly found the world was completely empty and was searching for something other worldly," he explained. "That's why I think you're seeing kids flock to the faith right now. It's because they're tired of the world."

The actor notices young people aren't just seeking any version of faith. They want ancient traditions, liturgy steeped in history, and deep spiritual roots. "They want 'Lord of the Rings Catholicism,'" Henrie said. "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."

The Ripple Effect

Henrie isn't just observing this spiritual awakening. He's actively helping families nurture faith in the next generation through his new children's book, "Is God Bigger Than a Dragon?"

The picture book was born from his 4-year-old son's endless curiosity. "Papa, is God bigger than a dragon? Is God bigger than New York City? Is God bigger than a killer whale?" his son asked. The father of three (with a fourth on the way) realized these innocent questions deserved thoughtful answers.

The book, co-written with his wife Maria, pairs rhyming responses with Scripture references on every page. It's designed for children ages 2 to 8 and ends by encouraging parents to revisit Bible verses with their kids for deeper study.

Between wrapping his faith-based travel series "Seeking Beauty" on EWTN+ and returning to Disney for "Wizards Beyond Waverly Place," Henrie is committed to one mission: helping kids understand "God's love, God's care, and just how powerful He is and how powerful he can be in their lives."

"Is God Bigger Than a Dragon?" releases November 10 through Ascension Press and is available for preorder now.