By Pastor Barron Greenwalt, En-Joy Ministries

At En-Joy Ministries, we are passionate about Cultivating Joy and Growing Faith. As a pastor in the greater Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania areas, I’ve witnessed a troubling rise in New Age practices, from psychics to witchcraft, influencing our communities. A 2014 Pew Research Center survey (Religion and Public Life) revealed how deeply these beliefs have taken root across the U.S., and recent trends suggest they’ve only grown stronger.

How Widespread Are New Age Beliefs?
The 2014 Pew Research Center survey showed significant portions of Americans embracing New Age practices:

• 26% believe spiritual energy exists in physical things like mountains, trees, or crystals.
• 25% believe in astrology.
• 24% believe in reincarnation.
• 23% view yoga as a spiritual practice.
• 29% have felt in touch with someone who has died.
• 15% have consulted a psychic.

These numbers, from over a decade ago, likely underestimate today’s reality. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 70% of U.S. adults describe themselves as spiritual, with 81% believing in something spiritual beyond the natural world and 48% affirming spiritual energy in nature. In western Pennsylvania, I’ve observed a surge in psychic fairs, occult shops, and witchcraft-related events, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward spiritual exploration outside biblical truth.

A Spiritual Hunger in Our Communities
The rise of New Age beliefs reveals a deep hunger for meaning and connection. Many in Pittsburgh and beyond are turning to crystals, astrology, or psychics, seeking answers that only Christ can fully provide. As Christians, we must respond with compassion, not condemnation, recognizing that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4, ESV).

At En-Joy Ministries, we see this as an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus. Our mission is to meet people where they are—whether through sharing free vegetables from our farm or building relationships in our home groups. We must guide those drawn to New Age practices toward the true source of life: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6, ESV).

A Call to Action for Christians
As believers, we are called to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV) and to proclaim the gospel with love and clarity. The growing presence of psychics and witchcraft in western Pennsylvania is a reminder of the spiritual battle we face: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).

Here’s how we can respond:

• Pray: Seek God’s guidance to reach those lost in New Age practices.
• Engage: Build relationships with kindness, as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman (John 4:4-42), to share the gospel authentically.
• Equip: Join our En-Joy Ministries Bible studies, like “We Serve Together,” to grow in faith and learn how to witness effectively.

Let’s cultivate joy and grow faith in our communities, pointing people to the eternal hope found only in Christ. Join us at En-Joy Ministries as we share God’s love—one heart at a time.