A New Generation
- Michael Coltman
- Sep 10
- 2 min read
For years, the story of the Church in the UK has been one of decline. But something is shifting. Recent research is showing that God is far from finished with our nation, and a quiet revival is stirring, particularly among the younger generation.
A new wave of young people
Our own church has witnessed this firsthand. Our 20-30s group has experienced incredible growth over the last few years. But we are not alone. A new report by the Bible Society and YouGov, titled The Quiet Revival, found that monthly church attendance among 18-24-year-olds has quadrupled since 2018.
A number of recent newspaper reports have highlighted a spiritual revival within the Royal Marines. Young recruits, primarily between the ages of 18 and 24, are reportedly turning to Christ. Their chapel is no longer large enough to accommodate the growing number of attendees. Many have responded to the gospel message and have chosen to be baptised in their assault course water tanks as a public declaration of their faith.
Other studies, such as one from Youth for Christ, confirms this trend. They talk about a generation with a deep hunger for authenticity and transparency, with the number of young people identifying as “a follower of Jesus" rising from 23% in 2020 to 35% today. This generation seems tired of the empty promises of consumer culture and the unfulfilling life offered to them on social media. They are searching for something real -something that provides stability in an unstable world.
What will we do with this moment?
This is a significant moment that many have been praying for. The question now is: How will we respond? As God draws more young people to our churches, it's a time for us to be ready to welcome and disciple them. Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples," and this means we must be willing to walk with new believers as they mature in their faith, and to live our lives in a way that points them towards Jesus.
The spiritual hunger among this generation is real, and it calls for a genuine response. We can't offer a weary, judgmental form of Christianity. Instead, we must offer a joyful, biblically-grounded and authentic community - a true family of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit
So how can you, in your church, encourage and be involved in discipling this next generation? How can you move from simply being happy about this good news to actively being a part of what God is doing?
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