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BRITAIN'S QUIET REVIVAL: Young Men Leading Historic Return to Christ

Michael Ringer

Michael Ringer

— 3 min read
BRITAIN'S QUIET REVIVAL: Young Men Leading Historic Return to Christ

UK evangelical churches are witnessing twice as many first time commitments to follow Jesus compared to 2021, with young people driving an unexpected spiritual revival across Britain, according to new research from the Evangelical Alliance's "Changing Church 2025" report.

The study, which surveyed 305 church leaders and nearly 1,000 individuals, found that churches are seeing double the number of people approaching them with questions about the Christian faith. Average church attendance has increased 13 percent since January 2020, before the pandemic, with total monthly churchgoers rising from 3.7 million to 5.8 million between 2018 and 2024.

Young men are leading the charge. Church attendance among 18 to 24 year olds jumped from 4 percent in 2018 to 16 percent in 2024, with young men's attendance specifically rising from 4 percent to 21 percent.

Among Catholics, young men's attendance has been particularly pronounced, with 41 percent of regular 18 to 24 year old churchgoers identifying as Catholic.

Belief in God among 18 to 24 year olds has nearly tripled in just four years, rising from 16 percent in August 2021 to 45 percent in January 2025, according to YouGov polling. Among 25 to 49 year olds, belief rose from 21 percent to 33 percent over the same period.

Bible reading has doubled from 6 to 12 percent across England and Wales, while 67 percent of churchgoers now read Scripture at least weekly, up from 54 percent in 2018. Bible sales in the UK have nearly doubled since 2019.

Danny Webster, Head of Advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, said churches are adapting well and growing numerically as they confidently share the hope of Jesus. Gavin Calver, CEO of Evangelical Alliance, noted there is an openness to the Christian faith, especially among young people, adding that the next few years may be even more dramatic in this time of spiritual openness.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

This is what happens when a generation discovers secular humanism is spiritually bankrupt.

Young men especially are rejecting the emptiness of postmodern culture and finding something worth dying for in Christ.

They're not interested in watered down religion or institutional bureaucracy.

They want Jesus. They want Scripture. They want truth that doesn't apologize for itself.

While progressive churches hemorrhage members by compromising on biblical truth, churches that preach Christ crucified and risen are packed with young people hungry for meaning.

This isn't happening by accident. It's happening because the Gospel actually works when it's preached boldly.

The Church that fearlessly proclaims exclusive salvation through Christ alone is the Church this generation is running toward.

May God sustain this revival and raise up bold preachers who won't compromise.

TAKE ACTION

Support churches reaching young people:

Get involved locally:

  • Find an evangelical church near you through Evangelical Alliance's church finder: https://www.eauk.org/connect/find-a-church
  • Volunteer with a local church youth ministry or Alpha course
  • Start a Bible study group and invite skeptical friends to explore Scripture with no pressure
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